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You are here: Home / Archives for career goals

5 Commandments of a Happy Career

February 2, 2017 By Valencia Leave a Comment

5 Commandments of a Happy CareerDo you think a happy career is possible? According to a 2014 Gallup poll, approximately “51% of US employees were not engaged at work, and 17.5% were actively disengaged,” which basically means that a large percentage of people are unhappy on the job.

People hate their jobs for various reasons. Some are unsatisfied with their pay, feel the grass is greener on the other side, or they don’t feel appreciated by their employers. And unfortunately, many of these workers never do anything about the situation. They’re grateful for their jobs, so they stick it out despite being miserable.

It might seem elusive, but career happiness is achievable. To get here, you have to believe you deserve better. Here are five commandments to feel happier on the job.

1. Don’t be afraid to pursue another path

If you’ve been with the same employer or in the same field for a while, a career switch can be intimidating, and you might question your ability to handle a new role. But if you’re unhappy with your current career, you’re not going to miraculously wake up one morning satisfied. Many of us spend a minimum 40 hours a week at work, and our jobs are a big part of our lives. So if you’re unhappy on the job, you might be unhappy in life.

Maybe you watched your parents or grandparents work for the same employer for 30 years before retiring. And because of this, you have a sense of loyalty to your employer and feel guilty about leaving. However, the days of staying with one employer are gone, and nowadays it’s not unusual for employees to have multiple jobs throughout their career.

The point is simple: If you’re unhappy in your field or with your employer, pursuing a satisfying career might be your ticket to happiness. Find out what makes you happy and go after it.

2. Seek jobs that help you reach your long-term goals

There’s nothing worse than realizing you’re in a dead end job, especially in your 30s or 40s. The good new is that it’s never too late to make a change. But it isn’t enough to choose another career, you need to find the path that’ll get you closer to your long-term goals. If you hate your job, switching employers and accepting a role doing the exact same thing may not bring happiness.

Do a little soul searching, reflect on where you want to be in the next five or 10 years, and then seek opportunities where you can grow as an employee and prove your value. This may mean going back to school to get another degree like an MBA in California or taking continuing education courses to improve your skillset.

3. Take control of your work-life balance

I’ve spoken to people who feel a work-life balance doesn’t exist. I, on the other hand, feel it can exist, but only if we take control and prioritize our time.

Some employers don’t care about your life outside the office. And sometimes, the more a job pays, the more of your time and energy it demands. You have a choice. You can give up a work-life balance for the almighty dollar, or you can make career decisions that provide long-term happiness and satisfaction.

If your life revolves around work and you need a change, talk with your employer and compromise. The sad reality is that striking a work-life balance may require looking for another opportunity. You might have to step down from your position and take a pay cut. Only you can decide whether peace of mind is worth it.

Tip #4 for a #happycareer---> Stop comparing yourself to others!Click To Tweet

4. Stop comparing yourself to others

When you see others advancing the corporate ladder and getting ahead, it’s easy to compare your efforts with theirs. You may wonder why you aren’t progressing and getting promotions. Self-reflection can be positive, as it helps you assess your weaknesses and identify areas where you need to improve. But if you’re not careful, comparing yourself to others and becoming jealous may contribute to career unhappiness. This attitude might trigger self-doubt, lower self-esteem and you could begin to feel inferior.

Remember that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Although someone may receive a promotion and a salary increase, you don’t know the sacrifices they made to advance their career. And more importantly, you don’t know if they’re truly happy. Stop worrying about others and focus on your own success. The energy it takes to be envious can be put toward improving your skills.

5. Know your industry

Some people lack career satisfaction because they lack job security. Granted, there’s no such thing as true security. Even if you’re a good worker and you’ve been with an employer long-term, it only takes one economic downturn to receive a pink slip. But you can improve your sense of security. This starts with knowing your industry. If you feel your industry is dying, now’s the time to learn new skills and get out before it’s too late. Or maybe there has been recent developments in your industry. If so, hone your skills to remain employable. Stay ahead of the curve and improve your chances of always having a job.

The Takeaway

So, how happy are you with your career? Some people feel their situation could be better, and maybe you’re one of them. If so, come up with a plan that’ll take you in the right direction. If you can pinpoint what you need to achieve career satisfaction, you’ll be happy inside and outside the office.

Need help getting your finances in order? Check out my new course: Tame Your Finances (& Save $5,000 in the Process) to learn more!

Filed Under: Blog, Career, Featured Bar, Featured Main Tagged With: career, career goals, career happiness, happy career, work life balance

Why a Higher Salary Isn’t Always Worth It

August 18, 2016 By Valencia Leave a Comment

Why a Higher Salary Isn't Always Worth It

We all have things we want to achieve financially, whether it’s buying a home, paying off debt or building a bigger savings account. Of course, it takes more than wishful thinking to hit these goals. We also need a game plan, and money to bring this plan together. So if you’re given the chance to earn more—maybe through a promotion—you might jump at the opportunity.

But while stepping into a higher tax bracket is a sign that you’re doing well professionally, there are times when a higher salary isn’t worth it.

1.You’re Headed in the Wrong Direction

You probably have career goals and a clear idea of where you want to be in the next two, five or 10 years. Some jobs are a stepping stone to better jobs in the same field, where you can gain valuable work experience to move up in an industry. On that account, earning a promotion and a higher salary might be the best news yet–if this is the path you’ve chosen for yourself.

But what if your end goal isn’t to move up in a particular industry or with a particular company?

Maybe you have other plans for your life—plans that don’t include this job. If so, being offered a promotion and higher salary can have you stuck between a rock and a hard place. You have to make a tough choice. You can take the job and enjoy the financial rewards, or you can keep your mind focused on the plan you’ve set for your life. Taking a new position could pull your career in a direction you don’t want to go, and take you farther away from your ultimate goal.

2. More Pay Could Equal More Problems

If you’re overwhelmed, burnt out and stressed at your present pay grade, don’t expect a promotion to mend your stress—your stress level might worsen.

Earning more could result in fewer financial worries, yet your day-to-day work life may be anything but a cake walk. I’m not referring to an occasional stressful day or week, which is something we all face. But rather ongoing pressure, headaches and chaos. You have to decide whether a bigger check is worth sacrificing your mental health.

3. The Job Could Zap Your Time and Energy

While we’re on the subject of sacrifice, walking into a new position and earning a higher salary may involve working longer than 40 hours a week. In your present position, maybe you can leave the job behind in the evenings and enjoy uninterrupted time with family. It might be a different story if you advance into a new position.

You’ll not only earn more, you’ll also take on additional responsibilities, and your new role may require more of your attention and time. It could involve being on call, coming in on your days off, or working 50 or 60 hours a week.

There’s a price to earning more. If your employer is willing to pay big bucks, be prepared to give more of your energy. You might be robbed of precious time that could be spent with family and friends, or on hobbies or yourself.

4. The Position Has a High Turnover

To discern whether a new job and higher salary is worth it, look at the turnover ratio for the position. If your employer can’t keep people in this position, there’s a reason why.

A bigger paycheck is rewarding and it might be the answer to reaching your financial goals, but a higher salary is only worth it if you enjoy what you do, and if it doesn’t require too many sacrifices on your end. If you take a job and later decide it isn’t worth the headache, it’ll be harder to walk away because you’ll be used to earning the extra money.

The Takeaway

Some people may call you crazy for declining any opportunity to earn more, especially since the cost-of-living isn’t getting any cheaper. However, money isn’t everything. A higher salary might increase your options and upgrade your lifestyle, but at what cost?

Filed Under: Blog, Career, Featured Main, Personal Finance, Women Entrepreneurs Tagged With: career goals, earn more money, higher salary, lifestyle design

Hi, I'm Jenny, owner and creator of The Jenny Pincher. My goal is to educate and empower single women on how to get out of debt, build wealth & design a life you love. How can I help you? Read More

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