Few things in life bring me more joy than seeing people truly happy at work. As a consultant, I have the unique privilege of engaging with individuals in their workspaces, exploring their experiences and understanding what drives their fulfillment. Working for myself has been a blessing; I recognise that many view entrepreneurship as daunting or too high-risk. This difference in perspective points to a fundamental aspect of our work experience: what we value.
Like most facets of life, we hold strong beliefs about what is good or bad, right or wrong—for us. These values shape our daily work experiences, informing our expectations of ourselves and what we believe life should look like. However, this can often lead to frustration. Work can feel difficult and unfair. And sometimes, our dissatisfaction stems from unrealistic expectations that clash with our values. When this happens, we tend to focus on what’s wrong with our work, rather than examining the dissonance between our expectations and our values.
The happiest people I’ve encountered in the workplace are those who have found roles and teams where they can express their true selves and contribute meaningfully to their organisation’s success. For them, it’s not necessarily about the specific tasks they perform, where they work, or even how much they earn. It’s about being part of a team where they can be themselves and feel that their contributions matter. Their work aligns with their values, and because of that, it feels right.
If there’s one key element to consider in building a meaningful career, it’s this: reflect on your current life phase. What matters to you now? What do you hope to achieve in the next few years, and how does work fit into that vision? Take time to reflect on your work values. What’s important to you when you work with others? What does success mean to you?
Defining these values is the first step in creating a career that’s not just successful, but fulfilling. It’s the foundation for shaping the ideal career for the next phase of your life.
Stay curious, be true to yourself.
Wickus
