“When you pursue a career that pulls you away from your true self, your talent and enthusiasm will quit on you like a bored intern.” -Martha Beck

Are you one of the many high-achieving lawyers who feels like something’s missing?

Have you attained external success but wonder if this is as good as it gets?

Do you tell yourself you should “just be happy” that you have a job?

Do you compare yourself to other lawyers who seem happy and feel like something’s wrong with you?

If so, you’re sensing a call. A call to adventure.

The lack of fulfillment we experience when our career is out of alignment with our true self and our efforts to rationalize away our dissatisfaction are the early stages of The Hero’s Journey, as articulated by scholar Joseph Campbell.

This journey is part of the shared human experience. We often spend the first third to half of life pursuing achievement and external success. This is normal.

Many of us reach a point, often between ages 35-55, when the success scripts we inherited from our parents and culture no longer fit. We’ve outgrown them. External measures of achievement are no longer enough. They may even feel irrelevant.

We begin seeking meaning and purpose. We experience longing.

We long to do work that matters and to use our gifts.
We long for more connection, impact, and joy.
We long to show up authentically in our work.

“It is the intensity of the longing that does all the work.” -Kabir

I still remember how often I told myself I should be happy because, as a Big Firm lawyer, I was earning more money than either of my parents had. I had nice colleagues and a flexible schedule. I could work from home.

But eventually, that discontent grew too loud to ignore. And my longing grew. I sensed it was time for a career transition. To spend the second half of my life doing work that felt deeply meaningful and aligned with my true nature and what I love.

I said yes to the call to adventure.

The step that follows the call is to connect with a guide, whether that’s in the form of a book, podcast, coach, therapist, mentor, or teacher.

When I said yes to the call, I didn’t realize I was “saying yes to the call.” I just knew I was dissatisfied with my career and all my attempts to figure it out had run their course. So, I hired my first coach. That was five years ago. I’ve had many guides since then, as I continue on my journey.

How about you? Are you sensing your own call to adventure? If so, I invite you to download my free Career Alignment Guide for lawyers.

And if you’re seeking more meaning, purpose, and fulfillment, remember:

“What you seek is seeking you.” -Rumi