Career Authenticity - Step 1 - Assess Your Physical Health
- Date: 2007-06-26 - Word Count: 420
Share This!
Feeling authentic at work can be a challenge when you hate your job and it feels like a perfectly wrong fit for you; but, you can begin to work more authentically when you practice listening to your body.
Step 1 - Identify all of the things you do at work that feel counter to your authentic self. Can you name the feelings you associate with the tasks? Can you identify what is going on for you physically when you are doing or saying things that feel counter to your authentic self?
I worked with one client who was a reporter. She knew from a very young age that this is what she wanted to do. She had dreams of reporting on important pieces and writing stories that spoke to the human spirit. Instead, she found herself constantly fixated on the next big story because that's what was paying the bills. She would push and shove to get a word in and more times than she liked to admit, she found herself prying in on people's most private and heart wrenching moments. Her body would tense up and she would feel physically sick. She carries this around with her all day at work and it is not until she begins driving home at night that starts to relax.
When I asked her to identify how she felt or explain what was going on physically for her, her words flowed like a rushing river. She was very in tuned with what this was doing to her but she felt that she had no options. Eventually she realized that just the act of naming it gave her a sense of freedom and encouraged her to move on to Step 2 which I'll touch on next time.
Exercise: List as many words as you can that describe how you feel when you are conflicted about your work. Name some physical responses your body has to this incongruency and what you are currently doing to minimize them. What would you be willing to do to change your situation?
Our bodies are mirrors to how we feel inside. When we live from the outside in, we miss a critical link in the mind body connection and as a result both body and mind suffer. Listen to the lessons your body is teaching you and identify moments when you feel stressed and tight and rigid. Seek more moments of openness, lightness, and calmness in your body and pay attention. If your job is making you sick, find out what would make it better.
Step 1 - Identify all of the things you do at work that feel counter to your authentic self. Can you name the feelings you associate with the tasks? Can you identify what is going on for you physically when you are doing or saying things that feel counter to your authentic self?
I worked with one client who was a reporter. She knew from a very young age that this is what she wanted to do. She had dreams of reporting on important pieces and writing stories that spoke to the human spirit. Instead, she found herself constantly fixated on the next big story because that's what was paying the bills. She would push and shove to get a word in and more times than she liked to admit, she found herself prying in on people's most private and heart wrenching moments. Her body would tense up and she would feel physically sick. She carries this around with her all day at work and it is not until she begins driving home at night that starts to relax.
When I asked her to identify how she felt or explain what was going on physically for her, her words flowed like a rushing river. She was very in tuned with what this was doing to her but she felt that she had no options. Eventually she realized that just the act of naming it gave her a sense of freedom and encouraged her to move on to Step 2 which I'll touch on next time.
Exercise: List as many words as you can that describe how you feel when you are conflicted about your work. Name some physical responses your body has to this incongruency and what you are currently doing to minimize them. What would you be willing to do to change your situation?
Our bodies are mirrors to how we feel inside. When we live from the outside in, we miss a critical link in the mind body connection and as a result both body and mind suffer. Listen to the lessons your body is teaching you and identify moments when you feel stressed and tight and rigid. Seek more moments of openness, lightness, and calmness in your body and pay attention. If your job is making you sick, find out what would make it better.
Related Tags: career, work, job, physical health, melani ward
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Ideas For Finding a Nanny Job
Looking after the welfare of children is a very important job. The role of caregivers in the present - What There is to Know About a Temp Agency
A temp agency is a place were skilled office workers can go to get work. There are a number of diffe - Discovering the Many Ways a Temp Agency Can Assist in a Down Economy
When out of money and unable to find work, often times can look hopeless. However, for many who have - Careers That Require Financial Responsibility
Keeping your finances in order is important for any adult, but if you want to work in certain career - What You Need To Know About Resumes And Cover Letters
If the ways of getting employed is composed of steps, the first task would be to come up with an imp - How To Increase Your Chances Of Getting Hired
In trying to get a job, the person that you are going to impress, aside from your would-be boss, wou - Tips on How to Get Hired in a Flash
Unemployment rate all over the world is undeniably huge. But, the bigger problem that professionals - Tips and Techniques on Finding a Job Quickly
There are three ways on how you can get employed at the soonest possible time- that would be, knowin - Securing Your Lifetime Starts Now
If by the time you're 30 and you still don't know what you want to do with your life, it should alre - Occupational Therapy Jobs For a Career in Nursing
Occupational therapy jobs are undertaken by individuals who are willing to engage their skills in he
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Hollow Eyes Are Not Dark Circles Under The Eyes
Many people of all ages complain of dark circles under their eyes. The phrase "dark circles under th - Career As A Hairstylist
Hairdressing is an art that involves arranging hair for aesthetic purposes, participation in formal - Life After West Point Military School
West Point exists to educate and train Cadets who are commissioned as Officers in the US Army upon G - Work Experience In Fashion - How To Get A Great Opportunity In Fashion Work
Work experience in fashion can be one of the most challenging positions to find. It's a simple equa - Tips for Job Hunting in Today's Market
In order to be competitive in today's job market, you must stand apart from the competition. Just h - Who are the EMTs
You'll find them at Denny's. At least I always do. Denny's, Coco's, Perkin's; any all-night restaura - Hiring A New Assistant?
More and more small businesses and even larger companies are turning to virtual office assista - You Too Can Start an Independent Record Label
It's no big secret, the trick of how to start a record label definitely involves some cash and most - Increased Salary with a Medical Degree: Consider the Options
Physicians are probably one of the highest paid professionals in the world. They make a lot of money - 5 Steps to Becoming a Virtual Assistant
Here are 5 steps that I went through in becoming a virtual assistant. These aren’t official by
