Health and wellbeing are good for careers and business
Photo by Jony Ariadi on Unsplash
When was the last time you gave your career a health check?
Chances are it’s not that high enough on a long list of priorities. That’s until you’re unhappy at work or looking for a job, then it becomes the priority.
If you don’t prioritise your career happiness and wellbeing, who will?
It may not surprise you but, throughout my many years of recruiting and consulting for companies, I can’t remember a single time when wellbeing and happiness were on the agenda. Maybe we just assumed that if you were in the right job you were going to deliver results and be happy, right?
There has been a shift of awareness on wellbeing and mental health in the workplace. But it’s going to take time for companies to change, no matter how many consultants are hired and how many policies are written.
Meanwhile, the drive to deliver is taking its toll on people. I’m experiencing this first-hand through my client work. People who are coming through my door have been working hard, doing their job – and beyond – on top of whatever’s necessary to survive the boardroom and boardZoom. They’re anxious, fatigued or burnt-out.
But there is no finger-pointing going on here. Ultimately, we’re responsible for our health and wellbeing, not our employers. So, before things get worse, let’s look at how to make things better.
How to cultivate a healthy career
Take the pulse
Start by taking the pulse – how are you really feeling and how are things workwise?
Are you getting what you need out of your work?
Are you making steady progress?
Is there a healthy life balance?
Are you taking care of your mental health and wellbeing?
Do you feel valued?
This opens the door to gritty questions.
Get granular
What’s the biggest challenge you’re currently facing?
How are you dealing with this?
What and who is draining your energy?
What have you learnt about yourself over the past 18 months?
What are you most proud of?
What are you grateful for?
What and who has given you energy?
What are you working on for your personal and professional development?
Write the answers to these questions in a notepad. It’s going to be easier to come up with solutions when you see your responses in black and white, plus it’ll give you a bit of distance from your issues.
Get real
Then, maintaining that distance, you’ll need to be ruthlessly honest about what needs to change and how you can make things better. If you’re in a job it doesn’t mean you have to jump ship. There are other strategies to look at first.
And if you’re currently looking for your next role, use the inquiry process to get crystal clear on the best cultural fit and leadership style for you.
Holding down a high-pressure job and managing a family, midlife career crisis, menopause, relationships, your health all has to be factored in. You can’t compartmentalise your life, it’s all connected.
Set yourself some healthy targets (and stretch goals)
One of the biggest regrets I hear from clients is that they put themselves and their careers last. That they didn’t work on their professional profile and their networks. In other words, they neglected their needs. Well, that’s not healthy.
Are you uncomfortable, comfortable or coasting? Sometimes you need to coast because you’ve got other more pressing problems to deal with, otherwise what needs to change?
If you’re frustrated at work because the big juicy projects have been shelved, is it time to work on your personal passion project? One of my recent clients is training to teach yoga alongside her current role.
Career health check
Hopefully, this has inspired you to make yourself a priority this year. When you feel good, it has a ripple effect on the others around you. Happy teams are more effective and that’s good for business so it’s a win-win.
Self-coaching and inquiry are great tools to have up your sleeve but it’s hard to see your own wood for the trees and that’s where I can help.
As well as my career accelerator programme I offer one-off services including a career breakthrough session. Tailored for you to support you and your career happiness.
If you’d like to find out more about my healthy approach – get in touch and let’s chat.
ABOUT ME
I’m Tracy, Career Consultant, former Executive Headhunter and I help senior executives and leaders to land great jobs and be successful at work through 1:1 coaching.
I work with clients around the world from my London-based Zoom office.
If you’re ready for straight-talk and career guidance get in touch – let's start the conversation.
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