Is It OK to....Struggle On Your Career Journey
Instead of struggling with struggle, use it to unlock career joy
This career query landed in my inbox:
I am a senior developer. I am also a hackathon enthusiast and aspiring travel blogger. I attended a panel you moderated and I had a question based on your comment that really struck a chord with me. You mentioned understanding your goals. You added that other than time management, knowing ourselves and understanding what it is that we want to do, is essential for career networking. This is exactly what I am currently struggling with. Do you have any tips or suggestions based on your personal journey and how you decided to make the choice to pick a career where you could bring your most authentic self?
And here's how I answered it:
Rather than struggle, explore and discover.
It's through discovery - putting aside ego, trying things out, succumbing to the twinkle of interest, that we uncover our talents, learn new skills and unlock potential.
As a practical exercise, take a look at your weekly or monthly calendar.
How are you spending your time?
What aspects of the projects you’re working on peak your interest, which ones feel routine?
Add any volunteer or community service activities into this equation too.
Start making notes in your calendar beside the times you’re energized by what you’re doing — and then sit back and delve into that. What are these energizing activities telling you? By paying attention to "what brings you joy" you may unearth your next career pursuit.
Another suggestion: pay attention to what tasks or insights others seek from you.
As I've been known to say "your network may see more you in that you see in yourself".
By listening to my network, I discovered my "talent" for looking at networking differently, (and my network is the primary reason why I write and dish out tips on networking).
So what is your network telling you - and are you listening?