How can you identify your ideal work-life purpose and mission when changing careers?

Early on in my career, I was all about aligning my passions with my job. I thought that the route to success was about spending my days fulfilling my passions. Then I realized that I didn't want to equate what I was passionate about with a pay check; I wanted to pursue my passions on my own time. That's when I began to explore what my purpose was and began to consider what I valued, and how I wanted to spend my days. What would I be doing? Who would I be working with? What impact would I make? I always advise professionals to think about the press release before they take on their next role. Does it reflect the career story that aligns with their values? Is it the best version of them? Will it create a path for the chapter after this one?

Review the course of your career, list the things that gave you life, the things that spur your passion, give you energy even when you're tired. Also, think about the things that made you upset and you had a solution even if no one would listen or you did not share it. Additionally, tap into your personality and natural strengths (take into consideration assessments like Clifton Strengths, PathwayU, Enneagram, Birkman, DISC, and others).

From a young age, my parents emphasized in me "find something you're passionate about doing, and find someone to pay you to do it." Did I listen? Of course not. I spent years fighting the fact that I'm an excellent communicator. I didn't understand that my natural empathy was actually a strength. I thought my problem solving skills and my ability to multitask was just my ADHD. Then a few years ago I actually leaned into my superpowers and they have helped me excel as a customer success manager in the hospitality technology industry. So I finally learned to listen to my parents, helping people learn about technology to help other people have an amazing hospitality experience, is what I am passionate about, and Lynx pays me to do it

Understand what “life purpose” truly is: Your life purpose is the expression of your unique gifts and talents, and the way you use them to serve others in a meaningful way. Honor what you love to do. Make a list of things that you love doing. Recognize new ways in which you’d like to be of help: 1.You can identify your career values by looking at a list of examples and rating how much each item matters to you. 2.Once you have identified your career values, look for jobs and organizations that reflect your personal values. 3.Remember, finding your ideal work-life purpose and mission when changing careers is a process that takes time, patience, and self-reflection.

Something I've found extremely helpful when looking for jobs that align with my values and principles, is looking for what the company I'm thinking of applying for does for the community. Are they philanthropic? Do they do community outreach? Do they stand as a pillar in the community and do their values and vision align with my own. I've had some really amazing offers that I've turned down because I couldn't bear the thought of wrestling with my conscious when the company values, views and opinions were so vastly different from my own. We live in a time where more companies are making a push to be clear about their values and their visions. Take the time to research and understand what that company stands for before you make your decision.

I feel this is very much important when changing careers, I also ask my clients to consider transferable skills. Especially in this day and age where social media influences almost everything that we do or want to do. I believe passion is the compass that can guide my clients towards work that doesn't just pay the bills but also brings you joy and a sense of purpose. I often ask them to reflect on what activities make them lose track of time or fill them with excitement.

A career change is possible only when you find a purpose that motivates you to wake up in the morning wanting to go to work. The motivation only comes when that passion of yours addresses a problem and provides solution at a community level.

I use Astrology as a tool to help people find their purpose when they're considering a change in their career. This involves using your birth chart to follow your zodiac sign, North Node, and other houses related to your career. It's a good starting point that shows you where your passions and natural, innate skills show up.

Most of us were not taught emotional mastery or intuition in school. If you are disconnected from what activities you are passionate about, you get to go on a journey of self discovery! Following your emotions, your enthusiasm, your energy, and your curiosity, you can find next steps that will lead you to new experiences and new paths in life. The listening you give freely to news media, colleagues, friends, and family will need to be given to yourself as well. Make time to listen to your own thoughts and feelings - journal, practice mindfulness, spend some time in nature. You will begin to hear your own heartsong. Let it rise above all other noise and distractions.

Think about what you're naturally good at and what you enjoy doing. Ask friends and colleagues for their input, and consider taking skills assessments. Your strengths are like your superpowers; they can guide you toward a career that aligns with your abilities and passions.

We tend to downplay our strengths because they feel easy to us. An example is organizing a space: for someone who loves that work and is good at it, it doesn’t feel like a huge accomplishment — it comes naturally. But for others, the same task would be tedious and taxing. Think about the tasks for which you’ve gotten what seemed like outsized praise in the past. Look at the projects you take on voluntarily or that you tend to do first from your list. It’s likely that your strengths are utilized in those projects.

Recognizing and utilizing your strengths is crucial for personal growth. Strengths are your unique skills and talents, which come naturally to you. Once you know your strengths, they guide your career choices and personal development, driving you toward success and self-improvement. Believe me when I say everyone has his own uniqueness, even if you haven't found yours yet, work on upskilling your talent and knowledge on a daily basis, and you will find it eventually. I know friends who are struggling to identify their uniqueness and strength, and I advise them to do what they are assigned to do in the right and perfect way. Do it right until you master it. And this becomes their strength.

Identifying your strengths is an important part of narrowing down the career path that suits you. One thing I'd caution, is to not focus solely on those strengths that you consider yourself to be excellent at. Look at the things that you're pretty good at, but could improve on. Look at the things that you enjoy, but would like to learn more about. Even take the time to look at the things you enjoy, but maybe aren't so good about. Part of the beauty of being a human, is understanding that no one is perfect. Every day is a chance to grow and learn. You can apply that to your career path and expand your horizons and look at opportunities you may never have considered before. Take a chance where you can, within reason of course.

Most of the time you are so good at something that you do not even see it... Ask people around you, coworkers, friends, family. What has changed due to our interactions? If I were a car, a tree, and artifact, (choose whatever tickles you) what would I be and why? The answers will bring more clarity to your search. The idea is for you to see what your impact is due to your strengths... Let me know what you get!!!

Short Version: 1. Specific (S.M.A.R.T.) + Identify the Constraint (ToC): Clearly define career change goals and identify key constraints. 2. Measurable (S.M.A.R.T.) + Exploit the Constraint (ToC): Establish measurable indicators and leverage strengths within constraints. 3. Achievable (S.M.A.R.T.) + Subordinate Everything Else (ToC): Set realistic goals and align actions to serve the constraint. 4. Relevant (S.M.A.R.T.) + Elevate the Constraint (ToC): Ensure goals align with skills and elevate constraints through support. 5. Time-bound (S.M.A.R.T.) + Repeat the Process (ToC): Set deadlines, iterate the process, and celebrate milestones achieved. With each obstacle, you'll emerge stronger; one step closer to the career of your dreams.

When breaking down your vision for a new career into actual goals, you can do an analysis of your "haves" and your needs. We tend to be afraid to look at what we need to move forward. When we shift to a mindset of our needs driving the very definition of our goals, we can get excited about knowing what we need to do to get where we want to go. This leads to enthusiasm and motivation to take steps. Getting training or starting anew professionally can feel like embarking on a journey. People stay stuck because their needs and goals feel like obstacles. When you remember how fun obstacle courses were to you as a child, you can hit the ground running with the joy of knowing exactly what your goals are.

So many of us have contributed to personal and collective mission statements that feel powerful in the moment and then get discarded and forgotten in our busy and often stressful lives. To have a mission statement that you love - that remains top of mind, vibrant, and relevant, you need an active Self Coaching practice. You should want to read your mission statement often enough to integrate it into your self talk and even your attitude. You can use elements of your work from a Self-Coaching program like The Integrity System to write personal, professional and project based mission statements that you actually use on a regular basis. They can fuel motivation and help you stay focused on your chosen path and your vision for a better world.

The journey towards a purpose-driven career starts with introspection and self-awareness. It's in knowing your own passions, interests, and motivators that you can craft a career path that is not only professionally satisfying but also personally fulfilling. It seems like this should be easy, but, in a world that’s increasingly shaped by external validations and social constructs, connecting deeply with an authentic self can be challenging. The noise from the outside world can often drown the subtle cues from within, making introspection a practice that demands deliberate effort and sustained commitment. I recommend being intentional about getting to know yourself. Learn a little more about yourself through thoughtful reflection.

One thing I'd like to highlight is the importance of being clear about the root cause that makes you to consider a career transition. Is it because you've lost interest in the work itself, or you are not happy about the work environment? It's worth to remember that a toxic work environment can sometimes create the illusion that you're not good at what you do, when in fact, it might simply be a matter of changing companies. Therefore, it's important to differentiate between these two factors and identify the true reason that drives you to think about a career transition.

It's essential to ensure a holistic fit when identifying your ideal work-life purpose during a career change beyond assessing values and passions. Gauge the transferability of your existing skills and understand the demands of the new role. Will it match your desired lifestyle and offer a work-life balance? Research the job market, but also connect with insiders for genuine insights. Think about the growth opportunities and the impact you wish to make. Financial implications, both immediate and long-term, are crucial. Finally, consider personal circumstances and seek feedback, perhaps through career counseling. Adaptability and a willingness to learn will be your allies in this transformative journey.

Work-life purpose and mission is rarely something we can identify with one specific path. The most common mistake in modern societies is that we tend to seek only ONE purpose and mission, and ONE vocation. Individuals may have many vocations but in order to feel the sense of purpose we must relate purpose, mission and motivation or drive to it.

It's important to define what purpose means to you, what would a career/life of purpose feel and look like to you? What beliefs come up when you think about that? Sometimes people go into career transitions without knowing what they are looking for except to feel more fulfilled. But fulfillment can come in many ways and sometimes it isn't through a job, career, or business. Having clear definition of all the above, your values, strengths, desires, natural interests, passions, goals, etc is important but then knowing what it is your seeking and what beliefs could get in the way are also key steps before starting a transition.

Wow. Nothing sends a person into an existential tailspin like writing a personal work-life purpose and mission statement. The assignment can be a useful activity for self-discovery and career planning, but I say don't sweat it too much! As you go through different career stages, your values and interests may change. You may grow new skills or let old skills lapse. Your purpose and mission statement will evolve as you grow personally and professionally throughout your lifespan. So, it doesn't need to be etched in stone. If you're struggling to develop a fine-tuned purpose statement, know that you are not suffering alone! It is one of the most hated activities my career counseling clients endure as job seekers. Give it your best shot.