Are You Yearning for More Fulfillment in Your Career? You’re Not Alone

In conversations with leaders at all levels, a common thread is emerging. Sometimes you need to listen carefully to discern the message. But it is clearly there, and it’s one many can’t ignore anymore.

More and more leaders at the top of their fields are either dissatisfied with their careers or discouraged when they look back at the time and effort they have committed and what seems to be the culminating output.

It’s not that they don’t enjoy their work, doubt their capabilities, or question their achievements. Rather, they’re not deriving meaning, purpose, or fulfillment from the job they devote most of their waking hours to. And they’ve reached a point in their lives where those factors are more important than the traditional trappings of what society considers as “success.”

Stepping Off the Well-Trodden Path

Advancing in your field has long been the yardstick for measuring success, and it’s typically associated with titles of greater responsibility and higher compensation. But over the past number of years, a growing number of leaders have begun questioning this definition more and more.

While COVID-19 shone the spotlight on the problem, dissatisfaction with the traditional path to success was brewing long before the pandemic hit. (And it’s much more complex than the binary choice of remote vs in-person work.) The volatility that persists years later has fueled greater introspection about where and how we spend our time, and whether that aligns with what we value.

This chaos and uncertainty can lead to two very different outcomes: It can drive you down a path of worry and despair, keeping you rooted in place. Or it can awaken you to a new reality, guiding you in a new direction. It’s evident that many leaders are taking the latter path.

Faith Has a Role in Career Decisions

As leaders question whether society’s narrative of professional success is the same narrative they would write for their own careers, many are turning back to GOD, their Creator, for guidance, strength and the alignment of a purpose that has long been rooted in their hearts.

Faith isn’t always discussed in the context of career choices, but it should be. Many professionals are now consciously, even publicly, placing their faith at the center of their career decisions. In the process, they’re questioning whether we were ever built to run the race that society has laid out for us—and whether they even want to participate in that race anymore.

Each of us is bestowed talents, skills, and other gifts we can choose to use in various ways, and many leaders are opting to apply them in a different way than they have historically. In questioning why they feel something is missing in their lives, they realize they yearn to do something more meaningful with their time, using their God-given gifts. And it’s not just their personal time away from the job; they want to find greater fulfillment in their daily work.

Of course, fulfillment means different things to different people. But for many, it’s a desire to make a positive impact, far beyond logging personal achievements or improving a company’s balance sheet. Whether in big, grand ways or on a smaller scale, leaders increasingly want to use their talents as a positive force: spending their time on pursuits that align with their beliefs and values and leaving the world a better place.  

Takeaways: How to Choose the Path Toward Fulfillment

If you find yourself striving to gain more meaning from your work, first recognize that you’re not alone. There is often a stigma associated with making career choices that run counter to the norm, and that can create tremendous discomfort. However, being uncomfortable doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making a poor choice. In fact, there is little joy (and a great deal of discomfort) in spending your limited time on Earth in pursuits you don’t feel good about.

Next, acknowledge that you can’t go it alone. Family members, close friends, and trusted colleagues can serve as a sounding board for your ideas and provide reassurance as you walk the path of uncertainty. But remain clear that it is your walk and not theirs. It’s especially helpful to seek out others who have already succeeded at using their gifts in a purposeful way. Ask them pointed questions: “What prompted you to make this transition? What was the journey like? How do you feel about where you are now?”

Finally, accept that while we can control how we respond to everyday life, you are not in control of your future. That’s where faith comes in.

Leaders who lean on their faith recognize that they can’t control the outcome of every decision. That’s a difficult acknowledgement for anyone, but especially professionals whose performance is typically measured by outcomes (which, in reality, the leader is never 100% in control of). Leaders who accept this reality by leaning on their faith are better equipped to merge professional success with personal fulfillment.

Questions to Guide Your Next Step

As I work with leaders who find themselves at a crossroads, I advise them to first and foremost seek GOD.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 KJV, “But seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  We were all made to accomplish a specific purpose.  Who would better understand that purpose more than our Creator himself?

Then take some time in prayer and reflect on these questions:

• Do I feel I’m making a positive impact on my family, friends, community, and the world at large?

• Am I satisfied with how I’m applying the talents and gifts my Creator has given me?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” that should spark follow-up questions like these:

• Which of my talents could I use in a meaningful way to make a positive impact?

• Which organizations and roles could provide an opportunity to apply my unique gifts and talents in a way that is purposeful and meaningful?

• What would success look like in an alternate reality, where I’m applying my gifts in a way I find fulfilling?

Though making a major life change is never easy, a prayerful, thoughtful, and introspective approach will help you define a next chapter that brings the fulfillment and meaning you’re looking for.  

John McFarland is the founder of Wesley James, a firm dedicated to helping organizations find leadership to navigate a changing world through executive search services, organizational recruiting support, and recruiting and leadership advisory services. Visit www.wesleyjamesgrp.com or contact John at j.mcfarland@wesleyjamesgrp.com.