The Privilege of a Lifetime

5 Things: Issue 21

A Reflection

I had a recent conversation with someone where they shared that they were retiring from their corporate life and taking the next year (or more) off from their career to decompress and enjoy life. They mentioned that their whole identity had been tied to their career for the past thirty years. They were looking forward to figuring out who they were and getting to know themselves outside their professional identity.

It reminded me of my journey of uncoupling my identity from my professional self, which started around 2017. After I hit rock bottom.

Hearing this person’s excitement and fear about this next chapter of life they're about to embark upon made me genuinely excited for them. It also got me thinking about what steps I took to start figuring out who I was.

"The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are." — Carl Jung

My journey started with some stillness. Stillness in the sense that I needed to take a break from the constant noise and demands of my professional life to truly listen to myself.

I started making lists—lists like my favourite activities and lists of things that I wanted to do but hadn't made time for.

I got clear on my personal values.

I became more present with my family and engaged in more conversations about their desires and wishes for their interactions with me.

I tried new things! I learned how to cycle, completed a sprint triathlon, spent a lot of time engaged in artistic pursuits that calmed my mind, learned how to meditate (in many forms!), read a lot, and formed deeper connections with my community.

These things shouldn’t only occur once you’re retired or if you were off work for an extended period like I was. These steps are essential for anyone striving to create more meaning and cultivate a greater sense of well-being.

I'm so excited for this individual to see what amazing things they get up to over the coming year and how their relationships will deepen with their friends and loved ones.

I feel the same excitement at the prospect of others asking themselves, "Who am I outside of my career?" I'd love to hear from others who have met themselves again and what steps they took to figure out who they are. Leave a comment below.

One Piece of Business Career Advice

I’ve been offering free summer coaching on Tuesdays, and six people have signed up to work through their challenges and goals. This week, I’ll focus on career advice instead of business advice as I’m inspired by the coaching topics my clients are raising.

Have you ever heard of job crafting? If you’ve been feeling stuck, bored, or unfulfilled in your role, this activity might help.

Essentially, job crafting is an exercise you can do independently to modify your job role to better suit your skills, interests, or needs. You can ask yourself, “How can I make proactive adjustments to my role to help create a more positive work environment for myself and others?”

You might wonder how you’ll get your boss on board to change what’s required of you in your role. A great starting place is to set a meeting to introduce them to job crafting (if they don’t already know about it. Make sure to talk through the benefits and give some examples. Even more important is to link your request to the organization’s goals. How does it benefit your boss or company?

Finally, propose a pilot program via an open dialogue about the process. Use regular check-ins and feedback sessions to keep everyone in the loop.

You can work through a job crafting exercise in about an hour to help design a more engaging and fulfilling job. I even have a handy worksheet that you can use. Reply to this email or comment “Send me the worksheet!” in the comment below.

One Mastery Tip

What part of you needs to be acknowledged and embraced? On my morning run, I started thinking about the parts of myself that I don’t often share with the world. There are a few. I rarely share my goofy, silly side with people. For years, I’ve felt like I needed to come across as professional. I’m generally more serious, but my kids and closest friends will tell you I can be a total dork.

This hidden part of me is just as valuable as my more polished, professional demeanour. It’s the part of me that can lighten the mood, bring joy, and create a deeper connection with those around me. Embracing my playful side doesn’t undermine my professionalism; it complements it by showing my authenticity and relatability. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to fit into one-dimensional roles.

So, what part of you needs to be acknowledged and embraced? Perhaps it’s a creative talent you’ve kept under wraps, a passion you’ve sidelined, or an aspect of your personality you’ve felt doesn’t fit the mold of what you think you should be.

Your many sides are integral to your unique, multifaceted self. By embracing them, you allow yourself to be more fully human and create space for genuine connections and a more prosperous, more fulfilling life.

Today’s Quote

“Can you accept all these facets of yourself? Being human does not mean being better than others. Being human means you encompass the full range of human experience, the positive, the negative, and the neutral. Being human means you are average in many ways. Can you celebrate the experience of being alive on this planet in all your complexity and wonder?” ~ Kristin Neff

One Resource

I’m just about to dig into “Humanocracy: Creating Organizations As Amazing As the People Inside Them.” If you know me, you know that I’m passionate about the people side of leadership and organizational development. This book promises to teach us how we can move beyond traditional bureaucratic structures and create workplaces that genuinely value and empower individuals. I’m excited to explore new ideas and strategies for fostering a culture where everyone can thrive, contribute their best, and feel genuinely appreciated for their unique strengths and perspectives.

Until next time!

Sue