Along with family and friends, our working life is one of the most important things in most of our lives. As well as needing to pay the bills, the reality is we probably spend far more of our time with our work colleagues than with our loved ones.
Fortunately I have always been one of those people who has never had any problem when it comes to motivating myself and throughout my career I have always relished the challenges that come with creating and growing various businesses.
But not everyone is cut from the same cloth and there a large number of people out there who go to work simply for the financial rewards. However I have long held the belief that if you want to get the most out of your career on a personal level it has to about so much more than money.
Of course, if you are successful in any walk of life then the rewards will come sooner or later, but true success can be measured in lots of different ways. There is the enjoyment we get from the working environment – this is related to the culture of the company and the people around you. Then there is the satisfaction that comes with taking responsibility or doing a task to the best of your ability.
If you want a truly fulfilling career then it should always be about personal growth and development rather than just remuneration and there are different ways to achieve that goal.
Some people crave the kind of stability that comes with working for a large organisation or business – they can offer fulfilment in terms of a career structure and organised training schemes.
On the other hand smaller firms will give people the chance to take on more responsibility and to play a direct role in the development and growth of a business.
I also believe people should always undertake regular health checks of their career. If you are not hitting your personal targets then take a look at what you have been doing and see what action should be taken to improve the situation.
You should also ask yourself if you are happy and content in your current role. If you are discontented then look around at the options available and take some decisive action to change your current situation, even if it means having to move on to pastures new.
The key to true fulfilment in work is to ensure that you are always setting targets – both in your current job and your overall career plans. You should also constantly be looking for fresh challenges that are going to expand you on both a personal and a professional level.
Depending on your situation, this could mean more responsibility, a move to another role, or a move to another company. Either way, allowing yourself to go stale is never a positive career move.