Finding Your WHY - MAC054

I focus a lot on the Individual Development Plan or IDP as a tool for managing your career.  As a singular document, it encapsulates where you want your career to go and the steps it will take to get there.  If you need to review the IDP, refer back to Episodes 036 through 040 where I break down each section.  But if you are unsure of what that end goal should be, understanding your WHY may help you resolve that problem.

Have you ever spent time of self-reflection on your motivations for choosing the work that you do?  To determine what your primary motivator is, think back to moments in your career when you felt the best.  What were you doing at the time?  What had you just achieved?  Why was that the specific time that mattered most?

When I talk about motivation, I'm not referring to being able to pay for food, shelter, and basic necessities -- essentially anything required to support your family.  Those things are all important but those needs could be met by various jobs.  What is it about your current field that keeps you going?  Let's take a look at several common motivators.

Financial - One possible motivator is financial.  Beyond just meeting your basic needs, those that are financially motivated choose a career based on its potential for higher levels of income.

Altruistic - Some people are motivated by the impact their work has on the world.  Those that choose humanitarian or environmentally focused careers or that work for socially conscious companies are likely motivated by altruistic impact.

Intellectual - If you enjoy the quest for knowledge or the challenge of solving complex problems, you might be intellectually motivated.  Classic examples of this type of motivation are scientific and engineering focused careers.

Self-Fulfillment - Some people are motivated when their work aligns with their personal interests.  If you find joy and your work aligns with your passions, then personal fulfillment could be the source of your motivation.

Social - When the relationship and comradery you have with your coworkers or being able to engage with customers is what keeps you going, you are socially motivated.

Advancement - The final form of motivation that I want to cover is that of career advancement.  Some people are motivated by their career growth and the chase of higher and higher titles.

Regardless of whether you are Financially, Altruistically, Intellectually, Self-Fulfillment, Socially, or Advancement motivated, does your role provide you with opportunities to meet your motivations?  What about the company or team that you work on?  Based on the typical progression in your job at your company, will you continue to build on the aspects that bring you career satisfaction?

If the answer to any of those questions is no, you may want to consider a transition to something else.  That doesn't necessarily mean that you need to quit your job or leave your current company, but finding a role that aligns with your WHY will allow you to enjoy your work more.

For example, if you are motivated by social engagement it may just be that your current team is geographically dispersed and you may need to transfer to a team that is all located in the same city.  If you are intellectually motivated but have been in the same position for several years, you may no longer be challenged by the problems you face and you just need to work with your leader on being assigned to a project that leverages new technologies or techniques.  However, if you are altruistically motivated and want to improve the environment, that may mean switching to a company that better meets that mission.

Regardless of your motivation, if you are struggling deciding on your career vision, have a conversation with your manager, a mentor, or a trusted peer and explain to them what motivates you and how your current role does or does not satisfy that.  They can help brainstorm a career path that helps you find fulfillment.  Use this information to revisit your IDP and put a plan in place that will get you there.

I hope that this episode has helped you think about your WHY and how a career in alignment with it will give you a better sense of success for whatever success means to you.  If you need someone to help define a career roadmap that helps bring you a higher level of enjoyment, I'm available for career coaching.  If you reach out to me via the contact form on the ManagingACareer.com website, I will arrange an introductory session where we can talk about your career goals.  If we are a good fit, we can set up regular coaching sessions or I can refer you to other coaches that may suit your needs.