As you advance in your career, you will need to make some compromises. This is a fact of life, and anyone who tells you otherwise — that you can truly “have it all” — is probably not being honest with you about how the world works.
However, there is an important difference between “having it all” and “having it well.” For every person who feels trapped in an unsatisfying job or, worse, an unsatisfactory career, there’s someone else who enjoys showing up at work every day, who can honestly describe themselves as fulfilled in their work.
That feeling doesn’t come out of nowhere. People who express high levels of job and career satisfaction tend to do so only after taking proactive steps to set themselves up for success earlier on. Many of them have done (and still do) some — or all — of these eight things.
1. Find a Way to Advance Deeply Held Values or Beliefs
It is easier to find meaning in your work when it’s done in the service of values or beliefs you hold dear. These values could be relatively broad and popular — for example, the promotion of religious freedom has been a consistent priority of David Miscavige, leader of the Scientology religion since the 1980s — or much more specific to your community or personal value system. What matters is that you believe in them and are willing to invest time and energy in promoting them through your work.
2. Pursue Solutions to a “Mega-Problem”
For most of us, “work” is in no small part a succession of problem-solving activities. But often, the problems we’re asked to solve feel trivial in the grand scheme of things, or else their “solutions” too temporary to feel as if we’ve really solved anything at all. Even if neither condition is true, it’s often the case that our problem-solving efforts benefit others more than ourselves, which can wear down our spirits.
While few jobs are entirely free of such compromises, some are at least geared toward a higher purpose. For example, as an engineer, you might choose to work for a company developing a more efficient airplane engine, and thus see in your work an opportunity to meaningfully reduce air pollution. Or perhaps you’ll choose to put your coding skills to use developing low-cost classroom software for students in remote, under-resourced areas. There are countless such opportunities if you know where to look.
3. Align With Others Who Share Your Priorities and Values
Work that follows a higher purpose and upholds your personal values can be fulfilling on a personal level, but it’s nonetheless lonely without others to share your perspective. If you intend to do this work for any length of time, it’s especially important that you do it with an organization you feel at home in.
“When your values resonate with those of your employer, your work feels more meaningful and fulfilling,” says Marian Evans, managing director of Elevate BC.
As you look ahead to the longer arc of your career, you may decide that the imperative of full alignment with your employer and your colleagues necessitates an entrepreneurial approach — that is, launching your own company. This isn’t a decision to be taken lightly, of course, but it’s one many idealistic high performers reach sooner or later.
4. Be Accepting of and Open to Other Viewpoints
For all this discussion of alignment, it’s inevitable that you’ll encounter others with viewpoints that diverge, sometimes sharply, from your own. So too will you encounter colleagues and counterparties from diverse backgrounds, whether professional, cultural or ideological. Without compromising your own values, your success may depend on your ability to accept and converse with these individuals.
5. Be Open to Temporary Hardship
You’ve probably had the unwelcome experience of being unhappy in a job but feeling powerless to do anything about it. The truth, however, is that you always have options if you’re willing to tolerate temporary hardship, such as a spell of unemployment or a significant pay cut in a new but more fulfilling role.
6. Pursue Fulfilling Hobbies
Whether you’re a “work to live” or “live to work” kind of person, research suggests you probably underestimate the Importance of hobbies outside work. At the very least, a fulfilling hobby adds some depth and richness to your life beyond the four walls of your home and your office. Better yet, a hobby can — and, surprisingly often, does — turn into a fulfilling career in its own right.
7. Make Time for Others Outside Work
You may be fortunate enough to form deep, lasting friendships with your professional colleagues. Even if you are, these shouldn’t be the only personal relationships you maintain outside of your immediate family. Make time for a wider range of friendships and casual, interest-based acquaintances outside work and the home, and you’ll find yourself in a more well-adjusted place.
8. Develop Mentor and Mentee Relationships
Early in your career, look for employment opportunities that allow you to work closely with more experienced colleagues. Later on, return the favor by taking younger, less experienced professionals under your wing, even if your organization lacks a formal mentorship or internal development program.
“Employees appreciate workplaces that encourage development, as it can demonstrate that their employer values them and wants to see them grow,” says Jamie Birt, a productivity expert with Indeed.
Final Thoughts
If these “secrets” to a successful and fulfilling career seem obvious, you may be on the right track. Perhaps it’s better to describe them as “open” secrets — ideas that seem more or less self-evident with a bit of reflection.
Don’t worry if you haven’t had the opportunity to implement any of these in your own career quite yet. Whether you’re just getting started on your professional journey or ready to make a long-delayed change for the better, you still have time to move your work life in a more satisfying direction. And remember that some of the “secrets” to career satisfaction occur outside of work; it’s not only about what you do during the workday.