If you’re feeling burned out, unfulfilled, or dissatisfied with work, this one’s for you.

First, I see you. I’ve been where you are, and I know how painful it can be.

Some of you are navigating truly difficult work situations and longing for something different.

Some of you know what you want, but are in a period of waiting. You’re applying for jobs. You’re interviewing. Or maybe you’re saving money so you can embark on a new career.

Continuing to work in a role that no longer fits is tough. It’s hard to feel motivated to do your work when you know you want to leave. And it’s easy to dwell on all the reasons this job is not for you.

But I want to let you in on a secret.

It’s only when we shift our perspective by focusing on the good that we generate the positive emotions that will attract the opportunities and connections that will help us get to where we want to go.

When we are stuck in “blame and complain” mode (and I’ve been there, I get it), our energy sucks. It literally sucks the life out of those around us. It repels the very people and opportunities that could help us.

When we cultivate feelings of appreciation and gratitude for our current reality, we naturally feel better. Our mood improves. Our energy shifts.

And since our emotions, moods, and energy are contagious, this positive shift radiates out and impacts everyone around us.

Here’s a challenge for the next week:

Try listing “three good things” about your work every day this week.

It could be as simple as (1) earning money, (2) having health insurance, and (3) the networking opportunities that your current role provides.

Speaking of networking, if you work in a firm and think you may want to go in-house or explore law-adjacent roles, your current colleagues may be the very people who can help you in the future. I’ve seen it happen again and again.

Many of the lawyers you work with will become in-house attorneys or embark on other roles like non-profit work, government, politics, coaching, consulting, professional development, business development, and academia.
If you want to stay in private practice, some of your current colleagues could become potential clients when they go in-house.

By cultivating appreciation for our current situation while taking consistent action toward the career we want to create, we set ourselves up for success.

When our brain is bathed in feel-good neurochemicals and we’re focused on the future we want, we are more likely to see opportunities to help bring our future into reality. I learned this from one of my favorite authors and teachers, Dr. James Doty, who sadly passed away last week.

If, like me, you love reading memoirs about people who overcame poverty and extreme hardship to create careers and lives they love while having a positive impact in the world, I encourage you to read his memoir, Into the Magic Shop.

If you enjoy reading about the neuroscience of creating the careers and lives we want, I encourage you to read his book, Mind Magic. Dr. Doty was a Stanford neurosurgeon who was also friends with the Dalai Lama.

Photo Credit: https://news.tulane.edu/news/neurosurgeon-tells-secrets-brain-and-heart

If you’d like to explore more about how to create a career you love, download my free Career Alignment Map.
In your corner,
Jessie