It’s imperative to know that work is a part of the larger whole of our lives. Your work is not the equal opposite of your life. Because work must fit inside the rest of your life, you must find something CareerTruth calls Work-Life Flow. Your work must flow within your life. You must account for what is most important and prioritize improving your life by setting prioritized personal goals.
Over time, your prioritized personal goals and circumstances can change. You may have a few substantial obligations requiring time and resources in one career season. In another season, you may have limitations to your freedoms that require you not to accept more work responsibilities. Yet, when your life has evolved and some expenses are well under control, you may naturally yearn to do the work you feel provides a new level of impact or give back to others.
Recognizing where you are in any season of your career and making intentional choices is Freedom. Freedom is not the ability to do anything you want. We must recognize the options that provide a gain but realize those choices have opportunity costs or sacrifices.
As you build your Personal Inventory, you will document what is most important to you today regarding Prioritized Personal Goals related to your work – such as how much money you make or your flexible work schedule. You will also document Prioritized Personal Goals related to your life – such as your time with family and friends and improving your physical and mental health. You will use these Prioritized Personal Goals of work and life later as we develop your goals and action plans.
Sometimes, habits, behaviors, or activities are holding us back from being our best in our professional performance or personal life. This reflection is private and personal to you.
For all the decisions you make in your career, you must account for your holistic life across your three career arcs – Mastery, Freedom, and Legacy.