Happy International Women’s Day!
Today is our first blog post from the Mental Category of Needs. And it’s about Career.
Career has been defined by many as a progression in one’s life, work and skills. Our brain is wired to keep the progress going to continue learning and advancing. That’s why when we think we don’t advance in our career, we don’t feel satisfied.
I believe there are two different types of careers: a Depth Career and a Breadth Career. Depth Career can be done in big companies (inside a company advancing along a career ladder). Breadth Career happens in small and middle-size companies when one jumps to work for a different company to be more successful. Both have a place to be and there is no right or wrong choice. Some people prefer stability so they choose the Depth Career, some prefer variety, hence the Breadth Career.
Talking about gender differences, it can be much harder for women in their careers as they experience on average twice the amount of stress at work then men. Why? Because career progression is very much testosterone-led activity and for many oestrogen-led ladies (especially after giving birth to kids), it is harder to grasp the concept of the career-ladder. Also, with varied priorities, kids, house chores, social ties it is harder to focus on a career. Women’s brain is very much interconnected and while career is important, relationship and social aspect of things are in many cases above that next promotion. That is for oestrogen-led women. There are women with high testosterone and their priorities would start with a career. And that is fine as well.
What is important is to become conscious about your choices. The need for career is mostly unconscious and evolutionary wired to survive and succeed, so we naturally feel pulled towards progress. This is how our world functions. Whatever doesn’t move, dies.
Once you become aware of your choices of career, just notice the driving forces. Are you the one driving it or there are external circumstances that you feel are driving your career? Successful people are their own career-drivers. Always. They leave little place for chances in their career options.
A change of career can be difficult. Taking a personal example, although I love change and thrive on flexibility, to make choices in my career was always tough. I used a help of a coach and considered the moves very carefully. Especially so because we had kids and other investments and life commitments. What helped was a lot of love from family & friends, remembering my dream, getting focused and moving despite feeling fearful. One step at a time.
If you ever decide to change your career, I highly recommend you consult with someone professional. Holly MacCue is an acclaimed Success Career Coach, originally from UK currently living in Australia, and I would advise you speak to her (can connect via Skype) if you want more clarity in what to do and how to do it. You will love it!
With that, I wish you a wonderful week and hope to hear from you soon!
And if you feel enriched, stay there! If you don’t feel enriched in your career, change it!
With love & gratitude,
Darya