What do you do if you're struggling to make career decisions without mindfulness?

I love this question because it comes up so often in my work with clients. Here’s the easiest hack… Ask yourself: Would I do it for free? If the answer is a hard and fast “no,” then you are on the wrong path. Money should never be our motivation. Serve your purpose, then your purpose will serve you!

When faced with career decisions and lacking mindfulness, I often find myself overwhelmed by uncertainty and doubt. To overcome this, I first acknowledge my feelings without judgment, recognizing that uncertainty is a natural part of the decision-making process. Next, I take intentional steps to quiet my mind and cultivate mindfulness. This may involve practicing mindfulness meditation, going for a walk in nature, or engaging in activities that bring me joy and relaxation. By grounding myself in the present moment, I can gain clarity on my values, goals, and priorities, which guides me in making more confident and authentic career decisions.

When you hold sand tightly, it slips through your fingers, escaping your grasp despite your efforts. When we try to tightly control every aspect of our lives, we often find ourselves frustrated as things slip away. Mindfulness lets things unfold naturally, creating space for beauty and stability to emerge.

mindfulness is about achieving a deep connection with oneself and the world around us. It's about being intentional and tuning into your intuition when faced with decisions. For instance, if something feels off, it's usually a sign to step back and reassess. On the other hand, if a decision makes you feel energized and alive, it's likely the right path for you. Remember, your body often recognizes the truth before your mind does.

To make career decisions with mindfulness, take a moment to reflect on your values, goals, and priorities. Practice mindful awareness of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, clarify your intentions, explore options mindfully, practice non-attachment, seek inner guidance, seek external input, manage stress and anxiety, experiment and learn, and trust the process. This approach can lead to greater clarity, confidence, and resilience in navigating career choices.

I firmly believe in making purpose-led decisions. These decisions lead to personal growth, skill expansion, and long-term satisfaction. Start by identifying your core values and use them as a compass to guide your career choices. This way, you're not just chasing opportunities that look good on paper, but making decisions that truly resonate with who you are.

Struggling with career decisions? Pause and assess your values. Without mindfulness, choices may align with fleeting trends, not your core self. Reflect quietly on what matters most to you—growth, service, innovation? Let these principles guide you, offering clarity and direction for career moves that resonate with your authentic path, leading to fulfillment beyond just titles or salaries. Mindfulness anchors decisions in personal truth.

In a world where people are encouraged to choose careers solely based on company status or income, being mindful about your values can be a radical act! If you're making 6 figures or more, but you feel burnt out and drained after a day of work, that is your body telling you that it's not vibing with what you're currently doing. It can be hard to realize that your job doesn't align with your values, especially when you've worked there for so long. But in the end, your body, mind and spirit will thank you when you align your job with your values!

If you're struggling with career decisions, take a moment to explore your passions through mindfulness. By focusing on what genuinely excites and motivates you, you can gain clarity about your career path. Use mindfulness techniques to quiet the noise and tune into your true interests. Reflect on activities that engage you deeply, noticing when you feel most alive and fulfilled. This inner knowledge can guide your career choices, ensuring they align with your passions and lead to lasting satisfaction and success.

Exploring your passions can unveil career avenues that truly resonate with you. By embracing mindfulness, you can drown out external pressures and tune into your inner voice, discerning your true desires and interests. This introspective journey not only fosters self-awareness but also guides you towards fulfilling vocations aligned with your authentic self. Through mindfulness, you can navigate the myriad of possibilities with clarity, paving the way for a career path illuminated by passion and purpose.

Exploring your passions to see what DOES light you up can be as easy as engaging with your inner child! Reflect on this: what used to light you up as a child? What was something you could do for hours, where you were so much in a state of flow that it felt like only minutes passed by? Therein lies the answer to that question. When you enjoy something so much, you're good at it AND you're able to passionately share it with the world? You have found your Zone of Genius! (I recommend reading the book The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks for more insight on your personal Zone of Genius!)

When making career decisions, consulting your network can provide invaluable insights. Use mindfulness to stay present and engaged while discussing your career aspirations with mentors, peers, and industry professionals. This focused approach helps you absorb advice more effectively and discern which guidance best aligns with your goals. Ask specific questions and listen intently to their experiences and recommendations. Leveraging your network not only broadens your perspective but also connects you to opportunities that may align with your career path.

Not only can you engage with your professional networks, but feel free to also reach out to your personal networks as well! While people within your professional network know you best as an employee, the people in your personal network know you just as that: a PERSON. You don't only have to consider careers in the corporate setting, you can do something completely different and still succeed. Your personal network will know your innate gifts, strengths and soft skills that you can leverage to switch corporate careers or follow an entirely new path.

One must evaluate pros and cons honestly and objectively. If you have trouble with either, look back at tip #4 and leverage your networks if you need help with creating this list. Additionally, while it may be tempting to see your list of pros and cons and make a decision based off of which side has more than the other, the ultimate decision should be made from listening to your gut. There might be many pros that look good on paper, but when you visualize yourself in a particular career, does it make you excited? Nervous? Scared? Does your body go "ahh" and expand towards this thought, or does it go "ehh" or "ooo, no" and contract? Be mindful of what your body is telling you!

I was once told “any job is better than no job” when I chose not to apply (after a downsize) for a position everyone said I would get easily. I had interviewed current employees of this manager and my intuition told me the job and the manager were a bad fit for me. While stressful to decline a “gimme” job, I knew this was right for me despite the surprise of others. Imagining yourself in that role, reporting to that person, will generate feelings and thoughts. Tapping into those with mindfulness will help define the path forward.

Your intuition is your own God-given personal GPS. It's that small voice that says 'here's the way,walk ye in it'. Sadly many of us listen to the noise outside instead of being still and listening to our own inner guidance. We trust other people,google...more than we trust ourselves. Mindfulness helps you shut down the noise and commune with your inner being.Trust that there's a higher power guiding you to make the right career decisions and you will know and hear it quite clearly once you slow down and start paying attention to your own voice.

Without mindfulness, making career decisions can feel overwhelming. Start by grounding yourself in the present moment to reduce stress and anxiety. Reflect on your values, interests, and strengths to clarify priorities. Seek advice from mentors or career counselors to gain perspective. Break down decisions into manageable steps and consider the long-term implications. Practice self-compassion and trust your instincts. By cultivating mindfulness, you can make career decisions with greater clarity and confidence.~ Edited by AI