Are you working out of habit, purpose, legacy, fear, or desperation?

What motivates you to get up in the morning is as powerful as what motivates you to create a life of meaning and purpose. Many of us are motivated by societal or cultural expectations of reporting to an institution every day and being rewarded for meeting its standards. However, others work out of fear of failure and thereby being perceived as not being enough. A few people work from the inherent distorted belief that they are ancestrally deficient due to the color of their skin, religion, or gender. Consequently, they settle out of desperation for what is being offered to them and live a life below their worth.

Work is supposed to be an embodiment of your level of self-awareness and development. In theory, it is designed to reflect your passion, intellect, skills, values, and interests. At best, it complements the highest version of your authentic self and creates a platform for equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Regardless of the reason you work, it is important to ask yourself if it is in alignment with your vision for your life and your purpose. Does your work create an accurate narrative about who you are and what you both value and deserve? Does it honor your biggest truth, that you matter? If you answered yes, then you are living a purpose-driven life professionally, and it should allow you to create the foundation for a complimentary personal life filled with joy and well-being. However, if you answered no to any of the questions, then I want you to know that you deserve work experience that provides professional growth experiences that align with your highest vision for yourself. Consider creating a picture of the perfect job that is in alignment with your authentic self, interests, personal values, and skills. Include in the picture the life that this perfect job creates and the people you hope to share this life with. Create a strategy on how this vision can become your new reality. Include in your strategy several key people who might be willing to mentor or create networking opportunities for you along the way.

Seeking the perfect job can be challenging, but remember that anything worth creating is worth working for! If you need additional support, consider spending time with friends who serve as cheerleaders for you. If the task of creating the job you want feels too overwhelming, consider consulting a professional coach, counselor, or spiritual leader for support.

Author: Candice R Dickens, LCPC, candicerdickens.com