4 steps to finding your ‘true north’ by Susan Binnersley, founder and MD, h2h

The start of a new term and a new season can prompt people of all ages to reflect and consider making a fresh start, particularly when it comes to the world of work. September is the perfect opportunity to pause and consider what you want from your career and what your purpose – or ‘true north’ might be.

Some people think that investing this time is self indulgent and detracts from getting on with your day-to-day job, but nothing could be further from the truth. Taking a small amount of time now can result in a much more successful career in the long run and can actually improve your overall wellbeing.

The NHS commissioned research exploring the correlation between work and wellness and found that factors we attribute to being in work lead to better health and wellbeing. Put simply, people who are in work tend to be happier and healthier than those who are out of work. And when you consider that we spend more time in work than anywhere else – and the fact that we are retiring later in life – it becomes even more vital to find a fulfilling career.

Here are four steps to get you started:

1. Play to your strengths. Firstly, look at your strengths – reflect on what you do well and make sure you are targeting your role profile to play to these strengths. Ask people around you for input on this and look back at your resume to identify patterns in roles where you performed well.
2. Do what you love. What do you enjoy? Think about the activities that bring you joy within work and in your personal life – is there a pattern, or is there a way to bring some of your personal interests into your career?
3. Reflect. Look at your career history so far. Over our working life, we’ll have an average of 11 jobs and four careers. If you’re midway through your journey, reflect on what patterns have formed so far and whether you want to continue in this direction. If not, it’s never too late to change tack – consider what expertise you’ve built so far and how this could shape your next move.
4. Apply with purpose. Applying for a job takes a huge amount of time, particularly if it’s done right. Rather than casting your net as wide as possible, be intentional and selective about the roles you apply for, which is far easier once you’ve taken the time to establish your true north. By identifying your purpose and focussing on that alone, you’ll have fewer options and can therefore spend more time putting a stronger application together, giving you a better chance of success.

Finding your true north is not a ‘nice to have’; it needs to be done. By carving out some time this September to identify your purpose and career goals, you’ll stand a much better chance of finding a career that plays to your strengths. It will be less stressful because you’ll be doing what you’re good at and what you enjoy. And by ruling out other options, you’ll be living without regrets, achieving better performance and ultimately enjoying a happier and more fulfilled life.

If you need some help identifying your career goals, or to explore our online career coaching toolkit Passport2Progress, get in touch with one of our experts today.