Thinking about your next big career leap?

Recently, two important people in my network faced a similar question about their career paths. Both have unexpectedly left their previous roles and organizations, now standing at a crucial crossroads, contemplating their next steps.

These individuals are exceptional performers, showcasing high levels of self-awareness and confidence in various aspects of their lives. They possess the ability to enhance any team they join; and due to their sharp skills, they have already received attractive job offers.

Yet, despite the array of offers, they face the dilemma of choosing the best option. Selecting the right path can be challenging, even with multiple good opportunities on the table. The pressure to make the “correct decision” can be immense as they commit to a new organization and role. They aim to bring their best selves to the new role, ensuring full dedication and enthusiasm. Ultimately, they prefer not to commit unless they are fully prepared and excited about the opportunity. This approach benefits both the individual accepting the job and the organization welcoming them on board.

I have experienced making that mistake in the past. While I have enjoyed most of my jobs, there was one instance where I accepted a position solely because many people emphasized the attractive salary. Many people said, “Even if you don’t enjoy this role, it will propel you towards your desired destination.” They assured me that this job would open up better opportunities. Although these statements held some truth – perhaps even predominantly so – it wasn’t the opportunity I truly desired, regardless of the future benefits it promised. It just didn’t sit right with me. I don’t entirely regret making that choice; but now, with hindsight, I believe I would have made a different decision and pursued a different path. I would have continued searching for something else.

At some point, we’ve all asked ourselves: How do I know the right job fit for me? High-level leadership experts and authors, whom I either personally know or have learned from through their books, provide invaluable insights on this matter. While my perspective aligns closely with theirs, revisiting this topic is essential because it addresses some of the most significant and pressing questions we face. What path should I pursue in life? Is this job a good fit for me? How can I find fulfillment and abundance in the time I invest in my work? Considering we spend approximately 52.5% of our waking hours at work, it’s a significant portion of our time. Hence, it’s crucial for each of us to ensure we get this decision right.

Here are three key considerations you should always factor into your decision-making process each time you contemplate whether to take a job:

• What are the things that bring me joy?

Consider what truly brings you happiness when thinking about your work or career. Some people believe that success only comes from tackling tough tasks all the time. However, although there will be challenging days, you should be engaged in activities you love.

You might excel at something without feeling deeply passionate about it. I’ve encountered this myself. Despite having extensive experience as a private, commercially rated, and military pilot, my true passion doesn’t lie in flying. What truly ignited my passion in the military was leadership, the mission, and teamwork. While I received tempting job offers in the aviation field, I declined them because flying didn’t spark that intense passion within me.

When you find joy in your work, you naturally infuse it with more energy and passion. Take a moment to ponder what truly brings you happiness, which work tasks you find rewarding, which organizations align with your values, and what problems spark joy for you to solve.

• What’s going to bring me provision or provide a living?

Simply finding joy in something doesn’t guarantee that it will be profitable. Your aim should be to identify where you can offer a service or a product that also brings in income. Often, we tend to overemphasize the importance of financial success, believing it to be the key to happiness. However, in my role as a Leadership Consultant and Coach, I challenge this notion. While financial abundance is valuable, relying solely on it can lead to feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction. It’s essential to strike a balance and not overlook other crucial aspects that contribute to fulfillment and satisfaction.

• What am I really good at?

Sometimes, we assume that just because we enjoy doing something, we’re also good at it, but nothing could be further from the truth. I enjoy a lot of things that I’m not good at, and the same is probably true for you. One of the best ways to determine the next steps in your career journey is to first understand who you are, which includes reflecting on your strengths. The better you know your natural talents, the more you can draw from them to search for and identify opportunities that will give you the chance to do what you do best every day. Understanding your strengths is like having a personalized compass guiding you toward the right job decision. It’s important to recognize that not all skills are equal and that certain abilities come more naturally to us than others. So, take the time to get to know yourself deeply.

For most of my career, I have flourished in my job. I love working. The one time I didn’t, it was because I was solely focused on the financial aspect of my job, neglecting the importance of work satisfaction, purpose, and personal growth. It became evident that money alone couldn’t sustain my happiness at work. It was a valuable lesson that taught me the significance of finding a balance. Ensuring that work not only provides financial stability but also fulfillment, purpose, and personal growth is essential for long-term job satisfaction. This realization helped me realign my priorities and approach my career with a more holistic perspective, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and flourishing work experience.

As I shared with my two close friends who hit me up for advice, this is not an exact formula for determining the next step in career decision-making. Yet, reflecting on what brings you happiness and what you are good at can prevent you from fixating on only one aspect: financial security.

Part of our Vision Statement at RethinkWork is that we want everybody to flourish in their jobs. We spend a lot of time at work—in fact, most of our waking hours are spent working. That’s why having a career with meaning and satisfaction is so important. We believe there is no such thing as a job without purpose.