How to follow your motivations to make the right next steps in your career

Self-awareness will give you an edge

Look, let’s be real - we truly believe that people can achieve great things and, in general, chase and catch success in whatever goals they’ve set for themselves.from However, this is best applied within the scope of your abilities and talents.

For example, let’s say you’re in your mid-forties and have carved out a career in business law. There are oodles of different career paths you could take that would bring you success and happiness, but becoming an NBA star is probably not one of them.

That is a pretty extreme illustration, and most people would not strive for something so wildly different from their experience and abilities, but there’s a phenomenon called ‘illusory superiority’ - this is the cognitive bias that can have some folks overestimating their own qualities and abilities in comparison to others. From everything to IQ to driving ability - humans have a tendency to think they are above average.

So, how does self-awareness play into a successful career move? Well, when you are acutely aware of your true talents and abilities, you can play to your strengths and get an edge over the pretenders in your chosen field. Play to the areas where you are above average and apply them to the needs of your next role.

Are you a bit shy or stuck when it comes to really discussing what you’re good at beyond a few lines on a resume? Marlee can help you identify your strengths and blind spots, so you can speak confidently on the value you can add beyond your direct work experience - and we're an evidence-based technology, not a personality test.

Assess the enjoyment factor. No, really.

Saying “pick something you enjoy doing” sounds like completely lame advice - duh, of course doing work you enjoy would be ideal and something everyone looks for in a role.

Except they don’t.

According to a Gallup poll, just 15% of the world’s full-time working population (over one billion people) are engaged in their current role. That leaves 85% of disengaged workers just going through the motions. Yikes.

Too often, it’s all too easy to be lured to a position with the promise of perks, status, and cash (or an open milkshake bar in the lunchroom) only for the actual work you’re doing to prove unfulfilling. Of course, a decent salary is a factor, but try to keep the responsibilities of the role in mind. Are they going to keep you satisfied and, ideally, hungry to keep developing and growing? There will be days in any job that feel a little monotonous, but don’t cage yourself into a role where you feel stuck every day.

Be okay with leaving your comfort zone

There’s no getting around it - changing your job can suck, even if you’re not crazy about your current role. Some people can stick around in jobs well past their (let’s be honest, mutual) usefulness out of sheer habit and resistance to change.

If you’re itching to break out and make the best use of your talents, why put it off? The short discomfort of settling into a new job is well worth the long-term benefits of sinking your teeth in and soaring in the right role.

Living the life you want takes guts, and it’s not easy. But once you’ve truly identified how you can add value to the world, things start making a lot more sense.

Need help identifying your unique attitudes and motivations in business? Answer questions on what motivates you and ask our AI coach, Marlee about your strengths and areas for improvement.