Be like the old vines
"Those vines out there, the ones near where you parked, well, those are almost 100 years old," the winery founder said to me. "They are dry farmed, meaning we don't irrigate. They've survived several droughts here and the grapes they produce yield the best wine. They survive because the roots go so deep and have found water below." Ah, there's a metaphor. When we find what sustains us, what matters most to us, that's when we thrive. We're not really any different from vines or other living creatures.
In job searches it's easy to get caught up in the lure of a bigger salary or a fancier title or the status of working at a prestigious company. Sometimes we listen to others' ideas of what success looks like even if it doesn't match our own ideas. But, if we don't stay focused on what gives us strength — what nourishes our roots — we'll remain less fulfilled. Many times I work with clients who are conflicted: Is it time to focus more on my family and less on a full-time job? Is this work aligned with my values? Can I keep my side gig that really fulfills me but find a part-time role to pay the bills? These are all common conundrums.
To keep that focus on what will nourish you in a career, I suggest two things:
Clarify your values.
Understand what is most important to you now. "Now" is critical because what's important to us at one stage of our life is often different at another.
Here are some practical tips on doing both.
To clarify your values: I love using Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis’ podcast, book, and now video book of The Squiggly Career. Check out Chapter 2 in the video book on values. Email me (heather@cardiganassociates.com) to access additional worksheets that can help you work through what you value.
To determine what matters most now: Do an inventory of the jobs (paid and unpaid) that you have. Unpaid jobs are just as important as paid. Nevermind our culture's standard way of judging success by the size of a paycheck. Maybe there are some paid jobs that are time sensitive, too, and the moment is now to focus on those. You might have a book ready to go to the publisher if you can only focus on that for six months, for example. Knowing what matters most now will help you clarify your next steps. And, while you are identifying what matters most, remember to define your non-negotiables. (Having too many non-negotiables is incompatible with a successful job search, but we all have some things that we can’t compromise on.) Narrow yours down to a few.
Clarifying your values and remembering what matters most to you now will help you find that work that sustains you.
