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International Women’s Day is a time for celebration, for much has been achieved to advance and support women in terms of opportunities and choices. It’s also a time to reflect on our personal journey and what really matters.
Are you living life on your own terms, based on what really matters to you?
When we engage with women (and men) on career conversations, the focus is not about jobs, salaries or status, it’s far more simple and directly personal. The big question is -
‘What type of life do you want to live?’
Career is more than work – it’s not only how we spend a lot of physical time, but also the time we spend thinking about work and the associated emotional energy.
When you pause and consider life in the context of career, work becomes more about purpose and meaning and progressing towards your ideal thus impacting your choices.
If we consider life in seasons and relate to career – early career is often about establishing ourselves and gaining momentum, whereas later seasons may prioritise balance. Career is less at fever pitch and the preference may be time with family and friends. For example, from an age demographic, the life we want to live in our 20s may be different to the life we want to live in our 40s.
How can I align my career to build the life I want to live and enjoy my personal definition of success?
Before polishing the résumé or leaping to the next opportunity, pause and reflect on ‘what’s the ideal life you want to live?’ and then ‘how can I align my career to the life I want?’.
Focus on what’s important to you for where you are at and where you want to be. Use your values as a starting point. If purpose and service matter to you, a high paying role with little purpose may eventually leave you wanting. If flexibility is important, then a rigid structure may be suffocating.
If you are clear on your values, you will evaluate opportunities not just by what they offer on paper, but by how they align with the life you want to live.
At CareerForce Australia, our focus is on supporting women (and men) to explore the big questions and chart a Career by Design – choosing the life you want to live. If you would like support with navigating your next steps, visit CareerForce Australia’s website or get in touch.
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