Well folks, it’s not often I’ve felt at the beginning of a trend … when I decided to make major changes last year, little did I know it was going to be the “in vogue” experience that it is. My gosh, even Oprah is doing it!
Everywhere I turn I see messages about he importance of re-inventing yourself and keeping current in the marketplace. Whether it’s in professional magazines such as Speaker or just regular magazines … there it is again. One might argue that I am seeing it because I’m interested. Perhaps, however, I know a number of individuals who have owned their own businesses, often successful in them, shutting the business down and returning to work for an employer. I’ve also talked with individuals who have decided it’s now time for them to embark on their own entreprenurial endeavour.
It appears that the season of change is upon us. Perhaps it’s that we are tired of the daily struggle to make a fair dollar in the marketplace doing something that we are not completely passionate about. Are we as a society waking up to the importance of feeling fullfilled because we are seeking meaningful work that fits perfectly with our values? I truly hope so.
Having worked before within companies and agencies that did not fit with my personal values, I know that it can be exhausting and frustrating. On the other hand, working from our personal value base can be energizing and exciting (even when it’s scary and unknown). I can see clearly how the competition in the workplace would simply fall away as out of date if everyone were able to use their own special skills and abilities based on their own personal beliefs. We would feel so content that what our co-workers were doing would not matter so much. Our own contentment would overshadow the negativity of others who are not able to work from a values centred approach.
So, if you are working for yourself or for another company or person, look at the values within yourself and the values of your workplace. Do they match? If not, it’s time to look for other work … In the meantime, find the alignment between the two and focus on that.
Our values relate directly to our conscience — if we don’t pay necessary attention to them, they can keep us up at night. So let’s all work towards personal fulfillment driven from within, focussed on making a positive difference in the world.
What a validating post, Sylvia. I’ve been rolling ideas around in my mind today, wondering how I will be able to hold firm to my need to follow my passions in the face of someone else’s logic.
I’m going to trust that things will resolve themselves, because compromising my values is not an option.
Thanks!
Cheryl
Sylvia I can relate with your thoughts totally!! Like you, I worked in the business world – change management consulting actually – and found myself becoming ill every time I had to actually interact with the “powers that be” in these organizations. Sometimes though we are given a push or a shove to get out and learn what you are truely passionate about. It is [was] as if there is no choice in the matter and in fact, that was the message I received that I would not have a choice to leave the business world. Today, some 15 years later, I am still going down paths that I had feared and am finding myself anew again. Thanks for reminding me that this journey is incredible when we get out of our way and follow our hearts.
Carol