How to Feel Satisfied in Your Career

Many people turn a beloved hobby into a vocation. They have a gift, a talent screaming for expression. It means doing something that they love. At last, they feel empowered. However, this newfound empowerment is inside the person, not in the changing of careers. How can you feel empowered if you are already successful in your work but feel discontent? You must recognize and feel the value within you and your work every day! A colleague and I were presenting a workshop on career satisfaction to a group of health-care staff members. His segment, "Feeling Empowered in Your Career", and my following segment, "Empowerment in Words and Actions", complimented each other splendidly. A majority of the participants had indicated before the workshop that they were happy with their career choice. Their need was to feel more contentment during the workday. Many felt isolated or emotionally distant from co-workers. They felt successful but not content. They all believed that their work was highly valuable. However, as one participant said, "I don't feel connected to the people I work with or feel enough satisfaction in the value that I provide." There is a big difference between believing in something and deeply experiencing the same thing. An old expression suggests, "It will not help to believe in ladders unless you climb one." Many people are highly skilled, successful, and competent in their work. They are intellectually aware of their value. However, they do not experience the internal satisfaction and contentment that they want and deserve. How can we experience the most contentment and satisfaction in our careers? Here are several key ideas to remember. First, check your motivations for being in your career. Success is the result of skills, actions, and choices. It is not a mandate to remain in one place. You can be successful in many different endeavors depending on your motivations, interests, and natural gifts. Use an assessment such as the complimentary MAPP found at