Work For What Matters

We know about the importance that your physical and mental wellbeing play in your overall wellbeing. In fact, the last few Messages have been precisely about taking of your whole self during intense, stressful seasons. You have heard and read about them and hopefully have adopted some practices that make a difference. You want to be able to work for what matters.

Doesn’t Matter Enough

However, as a professional, just taking care of yourself physically and mentally doesn’t seem to be enough. You can be healthy and still experience dissatisfaction in your work. Even though you manage your stress, develop strong relationships with colleagues and have clear boundaries between work and your personal life, they may not be sufficient for a satisfying career. You may still find your work to be lacking. There must be something else. And there is. It’s called professional health.

What Matters More

If you conduct an inquiry for “professional health,” you will find a plethora of products, services and degrees. Hmm. Not what you were looking for. Apparently, professional health isn’t a thing. But it is.

When referring to professional health, it’s really about examining yourself in your profession—your career—your job. Is it working for you? Are you producing valuable contributions for others in ways that are meaningful to you? Do you enjoy those contributions so that you are energized and put forth continual effort to learn more so you can do more?

Find What Matters

If there is a strong overlap between your work that contributes to others and what you find personally meaningful, you experience professional wellbeing. One way of connecting the two is to identify what energizes you and that you get “lost” in, then look at your work for opportunities to do more of those things. For example, if you really enjoy interacting with clients, you might initiate more client ride-alongs (in person or virtually) with your manager or partner. If you really enjoy a deep dive into a technical area, you might ask for specific CPE to attend or be assigned to engagements that require your specialty interest.

You are responsible for your professional health, just as you are for your physical and mental wellbeing. Rather than just go along in a job that has no meaning to you, take the initiative to make your work purposeful. Have conversations with your firm leaders because they want you to grow and be more engaged as much as you do. Rather than just doing your job, work for what matters.