What is career abundance?

Nowadays, we spend a significant proportion of our lives working. More time than ever before, and naturally we want it to count for something. Work needs to be more than just a steady job and a decent pay packet. But what are we really looking for? And are we asking too much?

So, what is it all about?

If you think about it, many of us spend a large part of our waking lives working. Then add the time spent commuting, checking emails, thinking about work or talking about it afterwards.

When work takes up such a large part of our lives, it's not surprising that many of us begin asking bigger questions.

Increasingly, people are looking for work that offers more than financial security. We want to feel that what we do has meaning and that our work reflects who we are.

Of course, earning a good income and having a degree of job security are important. But even when we have those things, it doesn't necessarily mean we'll feel fulfilled.

It's interesting how, after the initial shock of losing a job has passed, some people describe feeling an unexpected sense of relief. Sometimes redundancy or career change creates the opportunity to pause, reflect and ask whether the path they were on was really the right one.

What do we want instead?

Many people find that work becomes far more fulfilling when it gives them the opportunity to:

• work from their strengths
• do work they genuinely enjoy
• make a meaningful contribution
• use their skills in ways that reflect their values, purpose and ambitions.

When these elements come together, people often feel more engaged in their work, cope better with pressure and enjoy a greater sense of balance between their career and the rest of their lives.

This is an effect that I call career abundance.

There are countless assessments available that can help us understand our personalities, behaviours and preferences. They can provide useful insights into how we interact with the world and how we work with others.

But they're only one piece of the puzzle.

Don't you simply want to be yourself? To do your best work, enjoy your career and experience genuine satisfaction from what you do and the time you spend doing it?

A fulfilling career is a very personal thing.

It's about your career, not somebody else's, and it starts with understanding yourself.

You can learn new skills, adapt and continue developing throughout your career.

But the career that feels right for you cannot be measured by somebody else's definition of success.

This is about you, your strengths and the type of career that allows you to express your own unique talents, creativity and values.

So, how can you bring a little more career abundance into your working life?

Here are a few ideas:

• Set a big-picture intention for your work each week and regularly check whether your daily activities are helping you move towards it.
• When you notice frustration building, ask yourself what positive action you could take instead of remaining stuck in the problem.
• Sometimes, instead of simply going with the flow or biting your tongue, have the conversation that needs to happen. Speaking up respectfully can often create positive change.
• Make time every day to do something completely unrelated to work that helps you recharge, whether that's exercising, reading, gardening, baking, or simply spending time with people you care about.
• Think about a time when you felt completely engaged and were making a real impact. What were you doing, and how could you bring more of that into your current role?
• At least once a week, reconnect with the bigger picture. Remind yourself what you're working towards and why it matters to you.
• When you find yourself working late into the evening yet again, pause and ask yourself whether what you're doing is taking you closer to the career and life you want, or simply keeping you busy.
• Make someone smile every day – especially yourself.

Here's to your career abundance

Career fulfilment looks different for everyone.

For some, it's progression. For others, it's flexibility, purpose, creativity, balance or simply enjoying the work they do each day.

The important thing is not somebody else's definition of success, but creating a career that reflects what matters most to you.

That's what career abundance is really about.