The work of leading a more fulfilling life requires one to examine the major components of one’s life. Where do you invest most of your time? For many, work takes up a significant portion of one’s life. How you feel at work and about work can be an important aspect of how you feel for a large portion of your life. If you notice you are struggling with worry, discomfort, sadness, and/or anxiety at work this can permeate other aspects of one’s world, such as relationships and leisure activities. Understanding your relationship to “who you are” and “what you do” is important.
How you feel at work and about work can be an important aspect of how you feel for a large portion of your life.
Explore the driving forces behind your career identity by asking yourself a few questions.
What do you do and why? What contributed to your career choice? What motivates you to continue? Does your career highlight aspects of how you view yourself in the world? Is it in line with your personality strengths and weaknesses?
Careers that force you to only express a small portion of who you are or call for personality aspects that may not be strengths, may leave one feeling worried or unfilled at work.
The reality is most people do not have the luxury of easily changing careers and it is not very easy to obtain a passion career; however, the oneness is still on you to examine how these variables are contributing to your global emotional health. If you respond to these questions and notice that you are very disconnected from your career and often feel powerless, overworked, underpaid, misunderstood, stunted, then ask yourself: What will I do about it?
The response may not always be to find another position, although it very well may be. It may also mean learning to strengthen those character/personality elements the job requires, making the sacrifice to get more training so you can increase financial compensation or position yourself for leadership roles, deciding to engage in outside activities that are fulfilling, use skills to manage anxiety at work, taking regular vacations, asserting yourself, or even talking to HR about illegal business practices. If these or any options seem out of reach, consider engagement with a psychologist to explore and uncover deeper issues that may be preventing you from moving in a new direction and closer to a more fulfilling life.
Adaobi Anyeji, Phd
Clinical Psychologist
The Blue Clinic
Specializing in the treatment of sadness, depression, worrying, anxiety
Los Angeles based Private Psychology Practice
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