I Choose My Career

A job demands your time and energy but lacks emotions and empathy. It will consume everything you offer, without ever pausing to ask.

In today’s fast-paced and achievement-oriented world, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the pursuit of professional success. Many of us find ourselves constantly striving to do more, to do things better, and to achieve impressive results. However, this relentless drive can come at a cost, taking a toll on our health, mental state, and most importantly, our relationships with family and friends.

For me, this realization hit hard. I found myself sacrificing precious moments with loved ones, neglecting my own well-being, and feeling overwhelmed by the demands of my career. It was a wake-up call that prompted me to take control and reassess my priorities. I came to understand that while my career is undeniably important, it should not come at the expense of my health, happiness, and the meaningful connections in my life. My family and friends will always come first. It was time to regain control and shape my career in a way that allowed me to be true to myself and grow with purpose.

My career is important, but I choose to ensure it allows me to be me and grow with purpose.

Simple Acts to Align Your Career

Taking control didn’t mean abandoning my ambitions or settling for less. Instead, it meant finding a balance that honored both my professional aspirations and my personal well-being. Here are the steps I took to achieve this equilibrium and ones you could evaluate as well.

Self-reflection and setting boundaries: I took the time to reflect on my values, passions, and what truly mattered to me. This helped me define my boundaries and establish non-negotiables in terms of my time and energy. Most importantly, how I could USE MY CAREER to deliver aligned with my values and passions. There have been times when I changed or revamped my role to meet my needs and my employers.
Prioritizing self-care: I recognized that taking care of myself was not a luxury but a necessity. I made self-care a priority, incorporating activities that nourished my physical, mental, and emotional well-being into my daily routine. This included exercise, journaling, and spending quality time with loved ones. These became non-negotiables and my first priority, then my career.
Communicating and negotiating: I opened up honest conversations with my employer, colleagues, and loved ones about my desire for a more balanced approach to work and life. By setting clear expectations and I was able to negotiate changes to my roles and even changes to the organization to allowed me and others to thrive.
Aligning with purpose: I shifted my focus from simply chasing results to pursuing career success with purpose (aligned to my values and passions). I sought out opportunities that aligned with my values and allowed me to make a meaningful impact. This shift in mindset brought a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that went beyond mere achievements.
Embracing a growth mindset: Along my journey of taking control, I realized the power of embracing a growth mindset. Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles and stressing over them, I began to see them as opportunities for learning and personal development. I shifted my perspective from perfection and avoiding failure to continuous improvement and resilience. This allowed me to approach my career with a sense of curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to try new approaches.

Taking control of my career and my approach to its demands has been transformative. It hasn’t been without challenges, and there are still moments when the pressures of work threaten to overwhelm. However, by consciously choosing to prioritize my well-being and nurture my relationships, I have found a newfound sense of balance and fulfillment.

Remember, it is possible to have a successful career without sacrificing your health, mental state, and relationships. By taking control, setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and embracing growth with purpose, you can create a harmonious blend of professional achievement and personal well-being. It’s a journey worth embarking on—one that allows you to thrive in all aspects of your life while staying true to yourself.

This Blog is part of our Choose for Yourself 21-day Challenge. Chick HERE to learn more.

Your Turn: Choose Career Balance

Here are a couple of journal prompts to explore the role your career plays in your life

Become Aware

Become aware of how your career impact you.

Why do you work?
Reflect on your current values and priorities in life. How does your career align? Are there any areas where you feel a lack of balance? What adjustments or changes could help you achieve a greater sense of balance?
Consider the boundaries you have set in your career and personal life. Are there areas where you could establish clearer boundaries to protect your well-being and relationship?
Reflect on the impact your career has on you.
- How is your career negatively impacting your health, well-being and relationships? Can you name specific examples?
- How is your career positively impacting your health, well-being and relationships? Can you name specific examples?
Notice any observations (gaps, triggers, patterns, and situations) where you might need to evaluate. What is the impact?
Acknowledge your (insert observation) and it is (insert impact)

I am aware ______________________ and it is _________________________.

Be Grateful

Be grateful for becoming aware of your career challenges. Now you can use them to remind you to make the changes you want.

Identify one observation you want to become aware of and use as a reminder.
What is the mindset you want to have once you become aware.
Change your perspective, be grateful for (insert observation), because it reminds you to (insert mindset).

I am grateful ________________________ and because now I can __________________________.