One thing is having a career. Another thing is having a career that actually aligns with what you care about (a.k.a. your values). You know, those profound principles that make you feel like you’re living with purpose and not just collecting a paycheck while killing yourself from the inside out.
If you don’t know what your values are, how can you use them to choose the right company? And if you ignore them long enough, you’ll probably end up somewhere that makes you feel like you don’t belong, and you’ll want to run away at the first opportunity. Let’s make sure that it doesn’t happen!
Before you start analyzing companies, you need to get clear on what matters to you. And no, “good salary” is not a value, it’s a necessity to survive in this economy. Aside from a good salary, what are you craving? Being part of something bigger than yourself? Transfer your knowledge to a team? Helping people grow professionally? Traveling more for work? Having colleagues from all parts of the world? Maybe more time to spend with your partner, kids, parents, your friends? Or more time just for you, to enjoy silence, quiet, a hobby? Everything counts.
Scan through the meetings, projects, social events, and even the way you spend your weekends. Ask yourself:
If your week is filled with things that make you feel drained, and there's barely any space for what lights you up, there’s a disconnect between your values and your reality.
No wonder you feel resentful and tired all the time. There’s a lot of taking your energy and not a lot of nourishing your values.
Let’s color-code your activities (yes, we’re getting visual, why not?).
What’s the balance? If your week is looking like a crime scene (all red), then it’s time for some serious adjustments. No, I mean it. Do something now, because people burn out all the time thinking that stuff will sort itself eventually. It doesn’t and you deserve more.
Look at your green activities. What do they have in common? Do they involve teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, autonomy? These are clues to your core values. Now, look at the red ones. what’s causing that frustration? Maybe it’s a lack of respect, rigid structures, or a lack of impact. These are things you need to limit as much as possible.
Let’s put a name to what you’ve just discovered. Here are some common values to consider:
Pick your own top five and keep them in mind as we move to the next step.
Now that you know your values, it’s time to assess whether a company is actually a good match. Because, well, companies can look great on the outside but be completely misaligned with what you need and toxic.
How to filter out the noise and get to YOUR truth?
Go beyond the perfect employer branding. Look at:
Interviews are about you assessing them, as much as they are about you impressing them.
-“How does the company support professional growth?”
-“Can you tell me about a time when leadership demonstrated a commitment to work-life balance?”
-“How do teams collaborate here - can you share your wins and struggles?”
Your intuition is smarter than you think. If something feels off, even if everything looks good on paper, listen to that little voice in your head. It’s trying to save you from a bad decision.
Maybe you’re realizing that actually you have been feeling so tired and confused for a reason. You are already working for a company that clashes with your values.
And that’s ok. I speak every week with people that are stuck in this SAME stage.
Let’s see what’s within your control:
If you’ve tried everything and you’re still feeling out of place, then it might be time to start planning your exit.
Your values aren’t just some philosophical or nonsensical stuff, they are the key to finding work that actually fulfills you. When you align your job with your values, work stops feeling like a never-ending to-do list and starts feeling like something meaningful.
So, take this process seriously. Do the self-reflection, ask the hard questions, and don’t settle for a workplace that makes you compromise who you are. The right company for you does exist! You just have to make sure you have full clarity and the patience to get noticed.
The moment you start honoring your values is the moment you quit morphing into what everyone else wants you to be. You’ll be happy!
Not sure you can stay committed and achieve what you want by yourself? That’s what certified career coaches are for. I’m one click away from a conversation. Reach out!
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