How to Feel More Fulfilled in Your Career

Stagnant and uninspired are some of the words used by our clients to describe the dissatisfaction that they are experiencing in their profession or job. They feel stuck and with no idea how to gain the momentum they once had about a career they once loved.

So what changed? If the career didn’t change, then what did?

Well, they did, of course! We are always changing and our jobs unfortunately don’t always evolve as quickly as we do. If you are someone who has reached this point of discontent, it is time to refocus your energy and reinvigorate your career. After all, meaningful work and job satisfaction are proven to be closely linked- when we are fulfilled by our work, we do it better, experience less stress, and have better quality of life.

Want to make a change but not sure where to start? Here are a few steps to get the ball rolling:

1. Stay or Go

Let’s first make sure we are fighting for the right thing here. If you love the work that you do, but just not where you are doing it, then “get out” may be the right goal to focus on. If leaving is not an option, or you want to change the situation where you are, then proceed to step two.

2. Identify what’s lacking

This may be a tough thing to identify so let’s take a look in a few key areas:

• Feeling Challenged?

We all crave challenge. A challenge is not simply more work, but work that is stimulating and engaging; work that pushes you to grow. Finding a new project to work on, creating a new team, or volunteering for something you enjoy can inspire and reinvigorate.

• Are you being held to your highest standard?

Do you often talk yourself out of (or into)  doing something because it may be easier or more convenient? Easy does not equal fulfilled and comfortable is a dangerous place to be. It may be that it’s time to hold yourself accountable and elevate your own performance.

• Are you alone?

Interaction with humans is key (even for us introverts). You may be working remotely or web-based. Keep in mind at what level of isolation you go from the productive player to the closed-off curmudgeon.

3. Address personality problems

Are you dealing with a difficult person day in and day out, and it’s wearing on you? If you can’t change that person, then it is time for you to accept them for who they are. This does not mean that you have to be besties. You have the power to take a higher road, to identify things that they appreciate (like talking about themselves, for example) and use it to your advantage, or to become the immovable emotional force that remains positive in the face of it all. Consider it a challenge. These skills will actually help you to “manage up”--a topic we’ll cover in more detail in an upcoming blog.

4. Get creative

Fulfillment may not come from the job right now, but that does not dictate the fulfillment you experience in your life as a whole. It is time to identify all the moments in your day that are valuable, pleasurable, or have the potential to be so. Infuse more of what you love into the day. It can be physical activities, phone calls to friends, writing or painting. And if you’re having difficulty identifying something, we can help.

5. Kindness wins

One thing you will always have at your disposal are acts of kindness. Kindness is a self-fulfilling outward action that brings fulfillment. So, if you don’t know where to start at any given time, start there. And you can take that prescription as often as you like!

About Mind Body Seven

Kori Grillo is a licensed clinical social worker and integrative psychotherapist who specializes in helping individuals both inside and outside of their professional career.  Guided by a desire to help people as well as an understanding that effective inward change often stems from issues occurring in our outward environments, Kori helps her clients become more whole and insightful leaders, more organizationally effective and better positioned through real growth.

If you would like to meet with Kori to gain insight on how to become more fulfilled in your career, call (212) 621-7770 to schedule an appointment.