Most of us want the same thing from work: to enjoy what we do. And this matters more than you might think. Research shows that people with high career wellbeing are more than twice as likely to be happier overall.
Career wellbeing isn’t about loving every task or always being in the “right” role. It’s more basic than that - and more important. A good indicator is that you generally enjoy what you do, look forward to going to work in the morning and feel fulfilled at the end of the day with some energy in the tank. Yet many of us don’t take the time to actively shape our own experience of work. Instead, we wait for things to change - a better boss, a raise, a new job title etc.
But career wellbeing isn’t something that just happens to you. It’s something you can build on daily. Here are seven areas to focus on:
1. Know what energises you
Self-awareness is a key foundation of wellbeing. Understand what energises you, what drains you and where you thrive. Seek out roles or tasks that align with these strengths.
2. Keep on delivering
Performance and wellbeing are linked. Learn how to manage your time, overcome procrastination and ask for help early. Small wins build momentum.
3. Work on your resilience
Resilience doesn’t mean never feeling pressure - it means knowing how to handle it. Learn what triggers your stress and what soothes it.
4. Have better career conversations
Career conversations aren’t just for quarterly reviews. Whether it’s with your manager or a mentor, make space to talk about where you’re headed and what you need.
5. Set your boundaries
We all know work-life balance is essential to wellbeing. And when you protect your time and energy, your performance improves too.
6. Strengthen your relationships
Who you work with can matter just as much as what you do. Understand how you build rapport, communicate across cultural and individual differences. Much of this dictates how you contribute to a healthy team culture.
7. Track your growth
Stay aware of how you’re evolving. What new skills are you learning? What’s next? When you know how you’re growing and where you want to go, you feel more in control and more optimistic.
Remember, your career wellbeing is something you create and harness. The more intentional you are about it, the more likely you are to feel well and do well. So, ask yourself: what do I need to feel good about the work I do? And what’s one step I can take towards that today?
