If you feel stuck in a job that doesn’t fit, you are definitely not alone. If you don’t know how to get out of this unfortunate situation, you are not alone either. Indeed you have the potential to find the career that is fully aligned with who you are: your strengths, your core values and your passion. I’ll show you how to take charge of finding that fulfilling career by building momentum for positive change.
If you have lost your mojo at work, or no longer wake up excited about your day’s work, you are definitely not alone. Unfortunately, very few people take action and make the necessary changes. Many more tolerate their work frustrations until they experience a health crisis. Just like I tolerated an uncomfortable mattress until I was past the point of tolerable pain.
When my husband Chris and I bought our beautiful home together we let go of all the excess furniture we no longer needed, including my wonderful mattress which I had slept so well on for many years. Chris’ mattress and bed now served as our shared bed. Even though, I didn’t like his mattress, I thought I would get used to it. After all Chris was sleeping well on it. In the midst of settling into our shared home and life and planning our wedding, I was so preoccupied that I simply didn’t pay much attention to how the mattress was making me feel.
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs: The first night on our new mattress was heavenly.
A few months later, however, my back started acting funny and even though I sought treatment through massage therapy and chiropractic, the pain didn’t go away. I didn’t relate my back pain to our mattress until, during our honeymoon, we spent a few nights in places with really good mattresses. I slept so well and my back felt so much better. I was then reminded of how much I missed having a really good bed at home.
Chris, who playfully calls me his “princess on the speck of dust,” wasn’t too surprised when I shared my wish for a new mattress. However, we quickly discovered that we were both daunted by the hassle of getting a new mattress. Once we exposed our fear to the light of day, it lost its power. We realized that my health and well-being are worth a lot more than any time and hassle spent finding a good mattress. We decided to go mattress shopping right away.
We went to the store where we had both bought our previous mattresses and tested a few models. Once we had chosen our favourite model, the salesman offered us a substantial discount, rewarding us for repeat business and appreciating that the mattress my husband had bought at their store two years ago wasn’t meeting our needs. We ended up with a positive shopping experience, a good deal and now own a mattress that is even more comfortable than my old one.
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs: The first night on our new mattress was heavenly.
The first night on the new mattress was truly heavenly. In the morning my back felt already a lot better. After a few months of sleeping on our wonderful new mattress, my back pain is gone and I consistently wake up feeling well-rested and renewed.
It makes me wonder why I put up with our old uncomfortable mattress for almost a year. As I am reflecting on the barriers I had created in my mind, I clearly see a parallel. The kind of thinking that had me stuck in my earlier career for too long and that stops so many people from taking charge of their career direction and fulfillment, is very similar.
According to State of the American Workplace, only 30% of the U.S. workforce is engaged and inspired at work. The remaining 70% of American workers are “not engaged” or “actively disengaged” in their work (Gallup, 2013).
The thoughts that stop us from taking charge of our career fulfillment are very similar to the ones that were running through my mind as I put up with the uncomfortable mattress.
Here are some of the most common limiting beliefs that keep people stuck in a less than fulfilling career:
“I will get used to it.”
“It’s not so bad.”
“I just have to get through this crunch time. Things will get better.”
“I can’t deal with this right now; there are so many other things that need my attention.”
“Other people seem to be just fine; I should not be so sensitive.”
“I can’t afford to make a change right now.”
Here are five steps on how to overcome limiting beliefs and take charge of finding your fulfilling career.
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs
STEP ONE: Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs: Challenge your limiting beliefs!
Take a moment to notice your own stories as to why you have to remain in a less than fulfilling career. Jot them down on paper. Limiting beliefs exposed to the light of day mysteriously loose their power. Even if you still believe these stories to some degree, in your heart of hearts you know that they are just excuses that keep you stuck in a draining job.
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs
STEP TWO: Identify Specific Irritants
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs: Identify specific irritants.
Now that you have exposed your limiting beliefs to the light of day, let’s look at your specific work irritants. Here are a few common ones to get you started:
- office politics
- micro-management
- rigid work hours
- lack of recognition
- a long commute
- a messy desk
This is your opportunity to vent. Write down the things that irritate you in your current job/career.
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs
STEP THREE: Choose One Irritant that’s Ready for Change
From your list, choose one thing that you feel ready to change. Circle it and write what you want instead, e.g. if you circled “messy desk,” write something simple like “my desk is clean and organized.”
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs
STEP FOUR: Commit to Daily Action Steps
Now choose a small daily action step that contributes towards the change you want to create. If you chose “my desk is clean and organized,” you may want to commit 5 minutes a day to organize papers and clear things away. Decide when in your day you are going to take action, such as “first thing in the morning” or “right after lunch.”
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs
STEP FIVE: Make Follow-Through Easy
To set yourself up for success, create a friendly reminder such as a post-it note or an alert on your phone. Make it easier and more fun to do your daily action than not to do it.
As you take charge of your specific irritants, you naturally create the momentum that’s necessary to take charge of finding your fulfilling career. It might seem counter-intuitive to take charge of your current work situation. After all, you probably want to leave this job behind. However, each time you take charge of an irritant in your current job, it will boost your confidence. This will empower you to reach out for support on your journey to career clarity.
Chances are you don’t know what your fulfilling career looks like or how to get there. Finding the right mattress is definitely easier. Most of us need support and guidance on the courageous journey to career clarity. I wouldn’t have found my way on my own and am forever grateful for my coach who encouraged, challenged and championed me every step of the way.
For over 10 years I have been coaching people through the process of finding their fulfilling careers and I am here to do just that for you! With my support and guidance, the challenge of finding your calling will become one of the most rewarding adventures you have ever embarked on.
From personal experience and from witnessing my clients’ successes, I have seen that when you find the career you love your whole life changes for the better. When you are happy at work, you enjoy more confidence, better health and more fulfilling relationships. The pay-off from investing in your career fulfillment may indeed exceed your wildest dreams. Now that you know how to overcome limiting beliefs and build momentum for positive change, you are one step closer to finding clarity on your fulfilling career.
In the case of our new mattress, the hassle was far less than we anticipated and needlessly worried about. Considering the time and money we saved on massage therapy and chiropractic care, the return on our mattress investment is even more pronounced. Most importantly, as my dear husband will attest, the health and happiness of his princess are the best pay-offs.
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I love reading your posts and even though I’m now retired, I try and apply your wise advice to my situation. Keep the posts coming and have a splendid Valentine Day with your hubs.
Dear Marilyn,
I am so glad to hear how much value you receive from reading my blog! Yes, the tips on how to overcome limiting beliefs are transferable to many other life situations. May they serve you well, Marilyn!
Warmly,
Julia :)