We spend approximately 90,000 hours of our lives at work. That’s too much time to feel misaligned, disconnected, or worse, like you’re living a double life—one person at the office, and another entirely at home. The root of this feeling, which so many professionals I coach express, is often a values mismatch. The most profound personal development work you can do isn’t just skill-building; it’s values excavation.
For over 15 years as an HR & L&D Leader, I’ve seen the company culture side of this equation. Organizations with strong, lived values attract and retain talent. But the inverse is also true: individuals who are clear on their non-negotiable core values magnetically attract opportunities that fit. This clarity becomes your most powerful filter for decision-making, from which job offer to accept to which project to lead.
So, how do you start? My career coaching often begins here. Ask yourself: When have you felt most proud and fulfilled in your work? What was happening? Who were you with? Conversely, what moments made you feel drained or resentful? The patterns in your answers point directly to your values. Is it autonomy? Creativity? Collaboration? Security? Growth? There are no right or wrong answers, only your truths.
Once you have clarity, the real work begins. This is where motivation finds its North Star. Pursuing a title for the title’s sake is empty. Pursuing a role that allows you to express your value of ‘service’ or ‘innovation’ every single day is energizing. It transforms your job search from a desperate scramble into a targeted mission. You’re not just looking for *a* job; you’re seeking a platform for your values.
This alignment is the bedrock of a sustainable and joyful lifestyle. It erases the hard line between “work you” and “home you,” creating a sense of integrity. You show up as the same person in every room. This doesn’t mean every day will be easy, but it will be meaningful. And meaning is the antidote to burnout.
This journey might require a brave pivot. It did for me when I moved from traditional HR to executive coaching and writing “From Campus to Career.” It was a move toward my values of impact, growth, and direct connection. It was the best decision I ever made.
Your career is not a separate entity from your life; it is a primary expression of it. Designing a career that aligns with your values is the highest form of self-respect. It’s how you build a professional life that doesn’t just look successful on the outside, but feels successful on the inside. And that is the ultimate definition of success.
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