Career Authenticity - Step 4 - What Needs to Happen to Feel Authentic at Work

Step 4 – What would have to happen for you to be able to fully express your authentic self at work? What do you feel is getting in your way?

It is easy to focus on what is not working but it takes a bit more energy to step up and identify what is getting in the way of it not working. Some of my clients take this step and then realize they are getting in their own way. Maybe it is their attitude, inertia, laziness, or because it is simply easier to pass the buck than to take action. So, in this step I encourage you to evaluate your situation closely and review the exercises you completed in steps 1-3. Then, complete these sentences:

If only _____________________, I would feel much more authentic at work.

If only ________________________________, I would feel better about my job.

I would be satisfied if I spent ________ amount of time doing ________.

I would be so excited to do _______________.

I know that my ______________________ is getting in the way of me finding happiness/success/satisfaction at work.

I know that it is time for me to move on but _________________ seems to keep getting in the way of my ability to make a move.

When I think about making a change at work or changing jobs/careers altogether, these are the phrases I hear in my head __________________________________________.

My body feels ____________________________ when my mind thinks about making a change.

My body feels _____________________________ when I resign myself to staying in the same place.

It is difficult to take responsibility when something is not going right. We have to own our situation before we can ever change it. There may be some external factors getting in your way, but often it is what is in our heads that is equally as powerful.

Take some time to answer these questions in preparation for Step 5.