When I begin the process of career discovery with my clients and ask the question “What are some of the elements you are looking for in your career?” Most of them will quickly respond, “I don’t know what I want, but I know what I don’t want!” They then quickly click through a list of all the things they don’t like about their jobs.
Our results and level of satisfaction directly correspond to those things on which we spend our time and attention. When we spend all of our time and attention focusing on the things that we don’t like about our jobs, we have no time and energy left to spend on expanding the things we do like about our jobs. If the movie we are replaying over and over in our head is focused on all the negative things about our jobs, those are the things we tend to notice during the day. Often, these items quickly become larger than they really are. Likewise, if our thoughts and actions are devoted to those things that are positive, we will look for more opportunities to pursue these items during the day. As a result, more of our day will be spent on things that are fulfilling.
As a Thanksgiving activity, rather than spend 30 minutes each day between now and the end of the year complaining to your co-worker over coffee about all the things you don’t like about your job, why not spend that same 30 minutes, each morning counting your career blessings? That’s 14 hours that you will be focusing in a productive and positive manner!
Here’s your assignment:
1) Start a gratitude journal. Each morning write down what you are thankful for in terms of your career. Try to come up with something new each day – this forces us to look for the positives rather than the negatives. Focus on what you like about your job, your field, your co-workers, your company or your industry. Remember what your mom used to tell you, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Try to talk nice to yourself.
2) Tell someone at work what you are thankful for – it just may make their day as well. If people know more of what makes you thankful, they may send more of it your way. Sadly, we all know that a negative work environment is contagious. It’s hard to stay positive, when everyone around us is negative. Let’s try to shift that momentum and see if a positive attitude can be contagious as well.
3) At the end of each week and at the end of the year, re-read what you wrote. What themes are appearing? Are there any projects, tasks or assignments that you could volunteer for that would give you more of the things you like in your job?
If you take on this challenge, I’d love to hear about the results you achieve.
Happy Thanksgiving!
If you would like help counting your blessings and using your gratitude journal on your journey of career discovery, feel free to contact me. Good Luck!