“Beyond the material things we earn or the connections we build in the journey of attaining success, it’s the strong feeling of relief, gratitude, and self-empowerment that most of us are truly after.”
At some point in adulthood comes an aspiration of establishing a clear framework of our potential and desired career. We deem our past experiences as a series of testaments that are meant to form our current identity, understanding, and outlooks.
For many young people, reflecting on their future occupation comes with a pressed and fearful feeling over uncertainty. However, at the same time, it’s wrapped with the comforts of hope and the vividness of their dreams which fuel them with courage and action.
As we take on new journeys, we keep in mind our objectives and their essentiality to our success. We breathe in fresh learnings and other assets that we regard we’ll spontaneously need along the way. But best of all, we should put meaning in our future ambitions – where we’re capable of answering why we do what we do.
What does success mean to you?
Success comes in different forms that most of us envision for ourselves. It can be financial wealth, fame, attaining healthy relationships, or a combination of all these things. That being said, our definition of a successful individual can contrast, but what makes it true is embedded in a person’s impact, purpose, and meaning. These aforementioned aspects are closely related concepts that, while similar, are connoted differently. Let’s review them distinctively:
Impact: A significant or strong influence; an effect.
Impact can manifest through the ability to empower and serve others. It’s a significant aspect that leads people to connect and build better bonds in both their professional and personal lives.
Purpose: A result that is desired; an intention.
Purpose is a mindset that enables people to stay motivated and resilient in achieving their individual goals. In a sense, it’s an output-oriented concept that people apply to their actions and plans.
Meaning: A deep-rooted internal passion; an aspiration.
Meaning is what drives impact and purpose. Without it comes the neutral view of contributing to society and accomplishing a personal or an organisational mission to simply “get it done.” Meaning makes the process of work more fruitful, and the notion of success more sensual.
Ultimately, beyond the material things we earn or the connections we build in the journey of attaining success, it’s the strong feeling of relief, gratitude, and self-empowerment that most of us are truly after.
What’s the key to attaining your ideal career?
Whether you’re currently in a job or in search of one, your rationale and expectations have to be taken into account. Does your chosen career resonate well with your values and passions? Does your occupation meet how you ideally imagined it to be? This reminds us that while impact, purpose, and meaning can alleviate our perception of work, it can inevitably deplete in the course of dissatisfaction.
The ideal career can be shaped and determined by two (2) factors starting with experiencing what’s genuinely significant to you followed by being in the company of like-minded people with a solid support system. To simply put, we, as natural beings, generally seek a place or state where we could thrive and prosper; and in regards to work, many of us do emphasise the importance of the trajectory of our careers.
How to build a meaningful career?
Prioritise a moment wherein you can reflect on your standards—the things that you value when you think about work, the type of organisation you desire to be a part of, and the commitment you’re willing to make to pursue the job.
When building a career with meaning, a realistic view would tell you that opportunities will be there, but won’t always be stagnant. Hence, if by chance you get a glimpse of it, it’s wise to take the shot. Perhaps the said opportunity slightly contrasts how you’ve come to reflect on what makes your ideal job, but it’s also essential to weigh the positives and the negatives, and to treat it as a learning experience you can use while you climb up the ladder.
Closing thoughts
Everyone has the freedom to venture into different careers and niche opportunities they specialise in, relate to, and find joy in the most; cherry-picking job options and finding success in our chosen career might just be the hardest part! In spite of this, we are reminded that the process of working itself can be rewarding, and the impact, purpose, and meaning we put into it make it significantly special.
Are you currently seeking a career change to add value to others while improving your own life? Take the first step by filling in your details here. To learn more about our team or the financial services industry, talk to us today.
JLO is a group of authorised Financial Consultants representing finexis advisory Pte Ltd. Besides helping our clients in their financial planning, we also aim to impact their lives in the areas that they care about.
DISCLAIMER: All information are for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial advice.