If You feel Adrift at Work, Try This Exercise

By Anne DeCore, lmft

We all experience periods in our professional lives that feel adrift. Sometimes it’s a feeling of disconnect to your work persona, your work culture, your work goals. When this happens, one place to start is with a values check-in. It may be that your values are out of alignment with the path your on at work. Clarifying and ranking values is an insightful exercise that can help you clarify the path forward.

1. Start by making a list of your core values:

Values are chosen qualities of being and doing. They describe how you want to live your life. We don’t achieve them; rather we live in accordance with them. Examples of values are: cooperation, creativity, freedom, justice, generosity, industry, responsibility, persistence, trust, spirituality, adventure, gratitude, etc.

2. Next, ask yourself:

Do my values connect to my work identity and goals? If so, how? When goals are detached from values, we tend to lose a sense of purpose. When goals flow from values we tend to feel motivated. Goals that flow from values are inherently more meaningful.

3. Close the gap:

Explore what you need to do to infuse your values back into your work life. Subtle tweaks or radical changes? Grant yourself permission to think beyond practical constraints. Even if you can’t implement the necessary changes immediately, it will soothe you to know that when the time comes, you’re already clear on what will guide you.

Values are enduring. Goals are finite.

Into The Great Unknown: Why is Job Change Viewed Negatively?

By Nicole Marino, AMFT

Recently, I have been hearing a lot about individuals, mostly in their mid 20s to early 30s, wanting to change jobs or career paths. Along with that idea has also come a lot of anxiety, fear, shame, and judgement. I am here to say that it is OKAY to want to change jobs. According to CNBC, “The Great Resignation” is continuing in 2022 with 44% of employees seeking new jobs. Post pandemic life for most people is looking very different. We were so use to a busy lifestyle full of hustle and bustle. When all of that was halted, many people were forced to slow down and re-evaluate their priorities in life; work being one of them. Currently, one-third of new employees quit after six months according to the latest turnover statistics (ShortLister, 2022). If this post resonates with you, I want you to know that you are not alone in feeling this way! The purpose of sharing this and writing this blog post is to normalize change and to normalize not wanting to stay in the same job forever.

There is a lot of stigma from society around quick turnover rates and employees not being “lifers” at a company, but what I wish more people would remind themselves is that just like we grow and change every day, so can our passions, interests, desires, priorities, and goals in life. With that, wouldn’t it only make sense for people to seek a job or career change at certain points in life, especially if it doesn’t feel like it is a right fit? I believe it is a sign of growth and evolution.

Along with this, I am also hearing a lot about my clients seeking different jobs/career paths to find more of a work/life balance. I believe this is a mindset that shifted due to the pandemic especially. With this slower paced lifestyle, people were able to open their eyes to what was important to them in their every day lives: family, friends, traveling, etc. This is not to say that work is not important, but it is important to recognize that work does not have to be everything in life. Everyone needs time off and breaks to be able to show up and be the best version of themselves. It is healthy to have that balance!

I want to recognize the privilege in being able to switch jobs or career paths as well because not everyone has that luxury. When thinking about this, there is a saying: “we should work to live, not live to work” meaning that yes, everyone needs to work to make a living and provide for themselves and their families, but life is also so much more than your job. Your self-worth does not need to solely be wrapped up in a current role or position. You are more than just that; you are made up of so many unique qualities and characteristics that make you, you. I recognize fully that a job change is incredibly scary and can come with a lot of uncertainty, but the unknown isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes what comes out of the unknown is even more amazing than you ever could have imagined, but taking that initial step towards change will be the only way to find out.

Sources:

-Short Lister, 2022: https://www.myshortlister.com/insights/employment-turnover-statistics

-CNBC: Greg Iacurci: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/22/great-resignation-continues-as-44percent-of-workers-seek-a-new-job.html