Embrace Your True Career Path: My Journey to Meaningful Work
Updated: Aug 20
Have you ever felt that nagging voice telling you that your career choices haven't been spectacular? Or perhaps you've struggled with the weight of expectations—what you "should" do with your professional life? Is it time to embrace your true career path?
My Career Change Journey
When I reflect on my own career transitions, I see how different they were. In my 20s, changing direction felt exciting and filled with possibilities. By my 40s, it became a much more challenging landscape to navigate—filled with established identities, responsibilities, and deeper layers of self-doubt.
Throughout these transitions, I’ve utilized various tools to guide me: desire mapping, understanding the four tendencies, and numerous other frameworks that provided clarity. But one of my most unexpected breakthroughs came about ten years ago when I discovered Brené Brown's work.
The Guideposts to Wholehearted Living
While participating in an online course based on Brené's book "The Gifts of Imperfection," I was particularly drawn to guidepost #9: "Cultivating Meaningful Work: How to Let Go of Self-Doubt and 'Supposed-To'"
This chapter explores how meaningful work contributes to a fulfilling life—something at the heart of living wholeheartedly. Brené's extensive research on shame and wholehearted living reveals that people consistently mention several elements when discussing meaningful work:
Gifts and talents
Spirituality
Making a living
Commitment
Supposed-to's
Self-doubt
What Blocks Us from a Meaningful Career Path?
The Voice of Self-Doubt
Brené suggests that our inner gremlins (or saboteurs) feed our self-doubt with taunts like:
"Maybe everyone has special gifts... except for you. Maybe that's why you haven't found them yet."
"Yes, you do that well, but that's not really a gift. It's not big enough or important enough to be a real talent."
These voices systematically undermine our ability to discover our gifts and share them with the world.
The Tyranny of "Supposed-To"
Our saboteurs also leverage "supposed-to" messages, often motivated by:
Conforming
Striving for perfection
Seeking approval
Demonstrating our worth
Do any of these sound familiar?
"The focus should be on earning money, not finding meaning."
"You're expected to mature and become a _____. Everyone is relying on that."
"Work is meant to be disliked; that's what work is all about!"
"You have to decide between doing work you enjoy OR work that provides for your loved ones."
Reclaiming Your Power
According to Brené, to overcome self-doubt and "supposed-to" thinking, we need to start owning these messages:
Identify what makes you afraid.
Examine your "supposed-to" list.
Question who says these things and why.
Ignoring our saboteurs is like ignoring toddlers—they only get louder! Instead, acknowledge the messages by writing them down. This simple act gives us more power and the opportunity to say:
"I get it. I see that I'm afraid of this, but I'm going to do it anyway."
Dig Deep for Meaningful Work
This process is exactly what I guide clients through in my Career Change Coaching program. We must become deliberate about what meaningful work means to us personally.
There is no universal definition of meaningful work that applies to everyone. You need to articulate your own criteria by completing this sentence:
"I want my work to be..."
Use words that can serve as filters for making decisions about:
What you do
What you commit to
How you spend your time
Your Next Steps Forward
From today, you can begin this transformative process by:
Identifying the messages from your saboteurs related to self-doubt and obligations.
Challenging and dismissing them.
Clarifying what meaningful work means for you using precise words and criteria.
These activities are works in progress. Continue to add and refine what emerges. Both efforts will help you move forward in your pursuit of meaningful work that's truly aligned with who you are.
Remember, as Brené Brown's research shows, letting go of self-doubt and societal expectations leads to a more authentic and meaningful life. That breakthrough worked for me ten years ago, and it can do the same for you today.
The Importance of Support in Your Journey
Embarking on a career change can be daunting. Seeking support can make a significant difference. Surround yourself with people who uplift you and share your vision. Whether through friends, family, or mentors, having a support network is invaluable.
Find others who are also on their journey. Engaging with a community or support group can provide encouragement. Collective experiences often form a strong foundation for personal growth.
Resources to Aid Your Journey
There are many resources available to help in your journey toward meaningful work. Books, workshops, and online courses can provide insights. Find ones that resonate with you and your aspirations.
Consider seeking professional coaching. A coach can offer personalized strategies and accountability, helping you map out your career transition. Their guidance can be pivotal in identifying your strengths and skills.
Take the Leap Towards a Fulfilling Career
As you explore your career options, remember to visualize your ideal work life. Envision the joy it brings and the balance you desire. Allow that vision to guide your decisions and motivate you to take action.
The journey towards fulfilling work is not a race. It requires patience and self-compassion. Celebrate small victories along the way, as they contribute to your overall growth and fulfillment.
Until next time...
Binny
Unearth your Superpowers | Design the Work Life you Want
Find a Job with Meaning | Feel Joy at work | Regain Balance in Life
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Work is being reimagined...
The question isn’t if change is coming—it’s how you’ll navigate it.
The future is yours to define.
That’s where I come in. Through a powerful blend of Strengths, Executive, and Career Coaching, I help professionals not just adapt but thrive.
The workplace is transforming.
With 59% of employees quietly disengaged and 18% actively seeking an exit (Gallup, 2023), job dissatisfaction is at an all-time high.
You already have unique talents—sometimes, they just need to be uncovered. With the right coaching, skills, and knowledge, you can turn those talents into strengths, fueling the confidence to embrace career shifts and workplace changes with clarity and purpose.
Empowering you to design your work future.
I’m Binny Langler, your lead coach, dedicated to helping individuals and teams thrive. Founder & Director of The Inkling Effect, with over 20 years of experience coaching professionals to discover and apply their unique strengths to create more fulfilling and meaningful work.
A certified Executive, Gallup Global Strengths Coach & Career Change Coach - with a Masters of Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
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