Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. For more information please visit our Disclaimer Page.
Last Updated on August 15, 2022 by coffeepo
In Japan, there’s a belief that your career shouldn’t just pay the bills—it should also align with your values and your meaning in life. The word, Ikigai, directly translates to your “reasons for being.” And to live a fulfilling life, your job needs to help satisfy that reason.
There are 4 pieces to this:
- What you love
- What you’re good at
- What you can be paid for
- What the world needs
So, how do you know if you’ve found your meaning in life and your career? Well, we’ve got you covered. Here are 5 signs you’re working in a fulfilling career.
1. You are excited to get work done.
The first sign you’re on the right career path is that you are inherently motivated to do your job well because you enjoy it. In psychology, this is referred to as intrinsic motivation. That is defined as the behavior driven by internal rewards. In other words, you are motivated to do tasks because it satisfies you.
A good career helps you grow as a person and shouldn’t drain you out. You can be busy and stressed, but your job gives you the strength to overcome the difficult days that come your way. If your job stresses you out and it’s challenging to complete tasks, maybe it’s time to find another role or career.
2. You believe in what you do.
Your current role and responsibilities might not be your dream job. In other cases, you may find that what you do is the total opposite of your ideal career. Sometimes, your current job may just be a stepping stone to landing your dream job, and other times you decide that this might be what you’re willing to do in the longーand either is okay, you’re totally free to change your mind when it comes to your career.
The bottom line is that the more you fulfill your tasks, the more you realize that you agree with what you do.
When your company values align with your personal values, then you’ll know you’re in a career that suits your needs. Employees who don’t agree with their company’s culture and values are 24% more likely to quit their jobs because they can’t find a connection with their company, therefore losing motivation.
If you agree with what you do because it makes you feel fulfilled every day, then it’s a good sign that you don’t have to change career paths.
3. You feel valued and respected.
For better or worse, work is part of our daily lives. Because we invest so much time and energy to work, it’s only fitting that we want to feel valued and respected by our coworkers.
Millennials are the generation that requires more regular positive feedback from colleagues and management, even more than Gen Zs. In fact, a study in 2019 showed that 76% of millennials would start a job search once they feel their efforts are underappreciated.
If you feel underappreciated at work, it will be difficult to do your job well. As much as possible, you want to be surrounded by people who respect you and what you do. It’s not an ego thing. Studies show that people who feel valued at work have a boost in their confidence, and it helps them feel happier.
Also, when you’re happy at work you’re far more productive. In a study by the University of Oxford, they found that when employees are happy at work, they’re 13% more productive.
4. You don’t settle for mediocrity.
This doesn’t mean that you’re always on the brink of burnout—which is probably a sign to take a break from work. At this point, you constantly find new ways to stay motivated and challenge yourself to submit quality outputs. You don’t do your tasks just for the sake of doing them, but because you respect and believe in what you do.
We’ve always heard the saying, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” It’s a great idea but obviously a myth.
Even if you’re passionate about photography, everything changes once you turn it into a career. It’s inevitable to feel exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed by the number of things needed to do after a series of photoshoots. When this happens, it sometimes leads to self-doubt if it’s still something you’re passionate about.
For sure, no career is ever easy. But if you really like what you do, it will feel like both an adventure and a grind. You always find the time to step back and breathe—and remember why you like doing it. Yes, you’ll get tired, but no matter how difficult it gets, you find reasons to stay and continue doing your best.
5. You can see yourself doing this job long-term.
Think about the future and imagine if you’ll be happy seeing yourself doing the same thing 5 years from now. If you’re satisfied, you might be in the right industry and company. But if you don’t feel happy about it, you need to think about other career options.
Sometimes, though, you might be in a situation where you can feel that you will grow in your current role. You set goals for yourself, no matter how small they seem, and consider them milestones.
Finding the Right Path for You
It isn’t easy to know if you’re on the right career path. You will need to take a step back and evaluate your current situation as objectively as you can. And frankly, it takes a lot of introspection and honest reflection.
Are you happy? Do you feel excited about doing your job every day? Do you feel respected? If the answer is yes, it’s safe to say that you’re on the right path. On the other hand, the signs that you’re on the wrong path can be subtle. But feeling unhappy, unmotivated, and unchallenged can mean it’s worth exploring other options.
We hope our signs and tips have been helpful. We wish you the best of luck as you take on the journey to finding your dream career.
Now that you’re armed with the tools, go out and do it! See you in the winner’s circle.
