One of the top causes of women's health issues is career pressure or dissatisfaction. Chronic stress of a job can have a negative impact on your health, specifically your heart health which, can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure) and put you at risk for developing heart disease or put you at risk of having a heart attack or stroke. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives annually.
Career is one of four primary foods, others are Relationships, Physical Activity and Spirituality. We often think of the food on our plates, as it relates to health, but it's these primary foods that surround the plate and have a significant impact on health and overall wellbeing. Think about it, does stress at your job cause you to overeat, get poor sleep, makes you feel anxious and worried?
Notice if your sleep habits, stress levels, physical activity, spiritual practice, social life and relationships have been impacted by your job. Do you find yourself eating more processed foods, drinking less water, craving sugar, caffeine and/or alcohol? Consider how your career might be impacting your overall health?
Many people spend days, weeks, months, years, and even decades in careers that are diametrically opposed to who they are as spiritual beings. It’s incredibly important to find alignment in your career, spirituality, health, and relationships, so you can live your purpose and be happy. It’s all about finding work you love, or learning to love the work you do. You don’t have to leave your current job to explore other career paths – there are always ways to find gratification. Let's explore some ways to help you get started.
FIND THE WORK THAT YOU LOVE
• Make a list of your inherent strengths and interests, and how they could translate to an inspiring career or even hobbies, on the side – get creative!
• Research the career options you’ve narrowed down. Gather information about the paths you’re considering and how they could influence and shape your long-term goals. What does your future self in a year, 5 years, long-term do, think, believe, spend days doing? Allow the answers to come in from your inner wisdom.
• Reach out to professionals working in your field – mentors, coaches, and other people who can give you information, support, and/or guidance. Or, follow them on social media, read blogs and book theyv'e written, learn about their mentors and coaches. Spend a day in their shoes, understand what their day-to-day is like.
• Join professional organizations or attend social events to create authentic connections and make yourself visible as an expert in your field. Offer services, volunteer, create value in the community.
• Contact prospective employers to learn about potential career opportunities. Be professional and enthusiastic, and remember that even if a company isn’t hiring, it’s never a bad idea to pass your resume along; remain visible.
• Be patient – finding a new career that you love may take time, and you might try a few different positions before finding an ideal fit. No time is wasted while learning, creating and evolving.
LOVE THE WORK YOU DO
• Request to work on projects that interest you. Voice your interests to your employer or supervisor – it’s often the same area you’ll produce the best results in! Focus on producing value.
• Surround yourself with peers, mentors and colleagues who are supportive, especially those who're a few steps ahead of you; they're examples of what's possible.
• Accept constructive feedback and work toward improving your weak points. We can all get better.
• Stay motivated by giving yourself small rewards for accomplishing goals – fresh flowers, spa day, time in nature, whatever keeps you going.
• Make your office environment more attractive – bring in daylight, open up shades or sit by a window, add a living plant or add fresh flowers to your desk, (don't be the only thing alive in your office,) invest in a comfortable chair, and hang up motivating quotes and pictures.
• If it’s time to transition to another position or company, or make career pivot, make sure you continue doing work you love. Seek fresh opportunities that satisfy your desires, and always maintain business relationships with previous employers.
Additional questions to ask yourself:
Are you just going through the motions?
Are you using your inherent skills, while also acquiring new ones?
Do you wake up most mornings happy and excited to start work?
Do you feel that you are in control of your own career and finances?
Do you feel that you are making a difference through the work that you do?
What's one way you could start to create your ideal work situation, or learn to love the one you already have?
I've personally done it, pivoted from a 20+ year in corporate, started a health and nutrition coaching company; I get it! Although, I'm not advocating for everyone to switch careers, I do believe that it's worth asking some of these questions to help you get to know yourself better. Working with a coach can help propel you forward and help you find the work you love or love the work you do.
In my role as a Health Coach, I support clients toward better health. Often, client's journey begins due to a specific concern, such as chronic pain or discomfort, a recent health scare, or wanting to lose weight. I help clients uncover the cause of the symptom(s) and then work with them as they move toward self-healing. During 1.1 personalized coaching sessions we deconstruct the cravings, by deconstructing the symptoms, we get to the root case. To learn more book a personalized 1.1 session where we will deconstruct your cravings, by deconstructing the symptoms and move your towards a more nourished and alive state. This is your one life, so you might as well start living it on your terms.
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