by bhedberg on May 20, 2010
One of the primary reasons people come to career counseling is to take the next step in their personal “pursuit of happiness.” From our first days in elementary school, we’ve been told that this is a noble, fundamental American pursuit. (Historians have debated what Thomas Jefferson meant by happiness – many argue that he meant a “public happiness,” the type that one feels when giving to others and to the common good – more on that in this Wikipedia article.)
But what, really, is happiness, and how do we “get” it? That’s one of the places where my job as a career counselor becomes very interesting, and tricky – I certainly can’t craft anyone else’s happiness, and, I would argue, neither can finding that great job.
The field of positive psychology describes six “core virtues” that contribute to happiness for most people in most parts of the world (the words in parentheses are measurable character strengths, which can be learned and practiced):
- Wisdom and Knowledge (creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, perspective, innovation)
- Courage: (bravery, persistence, integrity, vitality, zest)
- Love and Humanity (love, kindness, social intelligence)
- Justice (citizenship, fairness, leadership)
- Temperance (forgiveness and mercy, humility, prudence, self control)
- Spirituality and Transcendence (appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality)
In the mindfulness teachings I’ve learned and share with others, happiness is developed and practiced as an internal state, removed from such external factors as money, job status, and possessions (I would qualify this by agreeing with the research that indicates our basic needs must first be met – food, shelter, some close relationships with family and/or friends). Mindfulness practice, such as meditation and contemplating gratitude, can elevate one’s sense of meaning, put things in perspective, reduce anxiety, and help a person clarify and act upon goals that will lead to increased genuine fulfillment.
In the “The connection between a good job and happiness is overrated” post on her Brazen Careerist blog, Penelope Trunk cites an Economist magazine article defining “The traits of work that makes someone happy”:
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stretches a person without defeating him
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provides clear goals
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provides unambiguous feedback
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provides a sense of control
She goes on to emphasize that we can cultivate these qualities in our jobs, rather than needing them as fundamentals from the beginning of our employment. I agree that this is possible, provided there’s room for this cultivation (and many workplaces just don’t have it).
So, the question remains – what is happiness for you, and how do you make sure you maximize your happiness? You might find some clues above…and don’t expect that career counseling will lead to happiness in the obvious ways.
In my view, a good job/career match is important, but searching for that elusive “perfect” match can be an exercise in acquisition, which does not lead to genuine happiness. Once you “acquire” that great job, or even that great alternative lifestyle that may be offered by a creative, nontraditional career path, you might find yourself looking for the next thing, wondering why that acquisition did not lead you to daily bliss.
Instead, focusing on the job/career search as it plays into the above happiness indicators, and remembering that it’s not the “be all, end all” of your happiness pursuit, is a much more realistic and satisfying attitude to take. And yes, as a career counselor with training in psychotherapy and mindfulness, I can help you cultivate a lasting, genuine happiness.
I welcome your comments about happiness – what has made you happy in your life? Which pursuits of happiness have really “worked,” and which ones have not lived up to your expectations? Does your job/career make you happy?
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by bhedberg on May 12, 2010
I just finished Daniel Pink’s new book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, and I love it! He talks about the three things everyone needs to thrive at their jobs (and the three things every organization should be sure to cultivate in its workforce): autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Good things to think about in your own career/job search, I’d say.
Most of the people I work with don’t have any of these in their current work (that’s why they’ve called a career counselor, I suppose). What about you? Does your current position offer: Autonomy over your time and how you get your work done; the potential to work toward Mastery of challenging projects, tasks, and goals; and an overarching sense of Purpose in the work you do? If you’re looking for a new job or career direction, it might be wise to keep these three factors in mind, at least considering their level of importance to you and whether you know where to look for them.
Some questions to ask yourself:
- What puts you in a state of “flow” (complete engagement with what you’re doing, so you lose track of time)?
- What gives you a true sense of purpose or meaning?
- What level of autonomy and trust do you need from your employer in order to do your best work?
- What have you taken pleasure in “mastering” (knowing that doesn’t mean you’re perfect at it, just really good)? What was that mastery process like for you?
- Do you know anyone who seems to have all three of these elements (autonomy, mastery, purpose) in their work life? What have they done to put themselves in this fortunate position? What can you learn from this person’s experience?
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