There is truly a difference between hustle culture and professional growth. Hustle culture tells us that we must always be working, striving, and pushing ourselves to the limit. However, professional growth is all about improving and maximizing our potential. It provides us with the opportunity to learn new things, try different strategies, and expand our horizons in ways that will help us succeed in our careers.

Work Burnout

The hustle culture often leads to burnout because it encourages us to work longer hours, be available all the time, and dedicate our lives to our profession. While working hard is important, we have a responsibility to ourselves to ensure that we are also taking care of our mental and physical health. If we try and push ourselves too far, then it can have a negative effect on our overall well-being.

On the same thread and the purpose of today's blog is on settling in our career. When we don't focus on professional growth and purpose, burnout can set in as well. We may find ourselves feeling unmotivated or unfulfilled in our work, leading to a lack of motivation or personal satisfaction. This type of burnout is more subtle than the hustle culture burnout, but it can be just as detrimental to our career success.

Am I settling in my Profession or Career?

If you are feeling like you have reached a plateau in your professional life, it may be time to re-evaluate where you are and what you have been doing. Ask yourself the following questions:

Am I connecting with the right people for career growth?
Have I taken advantage of all the available resources?
Am I doing external training?
Do I attend conferences in my field
Am I creating a career that aligns with my values
Have I been challenging myself to learn new skills?
Am I exploring different roles and opportunities within my industry?

Story Time with Mental Health Professionals, Medical Professionals, and Teachers

We need to make sure we are doing some regular reflection on our lives to make sure we are not burnout ourselves out. For example, I speak with a lot of women who are nurses and have been passionate about the medical field for years. Some were students and some are seasoned professionals. When Covid hit, they felt an obligation to stay and ignore their boundaries and their own personal goals. For some, after this period they felt they were not allowed to set boundaries and have preferences. Some people became burnout as they were finishing school and questioning their decision in their field. Others, have straight up just left and have guilt for not being able to "manage the stress". The truth is that being a medical professional, mental health professional., or even a teacher during Covid gave us a new perspective on what was meaningful, boundaries, and what people were willing to deal with.

I know you may love your job, or maybe you are the person who is in that questioning space. I get it, I was a student during Covid and I was not expecting the counseling field to look so much different. I get things are not what we expected, but this is the perfect time to set boundaries, communicate your needs and make sure that you are getting the support you need. If you are looking into a new part of the field, great! Do the research, and the training, and connect with people. If you are tired, take a break and come back with a plan on how you are going to find your purpose in your profession. And, regardless of where you are, take breaks and take vacations. You need to!

Creating an effective plan for no longer settling in your profession or career

Disclaimer: I want to note first and foremost that unless we work together one on one, I cannot give you specific plans for how to overcome the stagnation, and burnout you may be feeling from settling into your career. However, I know there are all kinds of people who engage with my content and I get people who need one on one support all the way to people who need some information and then they are good to run with a plan of their own. This is created with that person in mind, but I hope regardless of who you are, you find this helpful even if you only take one thing from it.

Plan for Overcoming Career Settling

Evaluate your current situation: What are you currently doing in your and why? Reflect on what you want of the role and how that has changed since starting it. Ask yourself if there is something else that would bring more fulfillment or satisfaction to your professional life.
Network: Find people who are doing the work you want to do and learn from them. Use LinkedIn, Upward, Handshake, or other platforms to connect with professionals in your field. Ask questions about their career paths and what challenges they faced along the way.
Take risks: It is important to be comfortable taking some risks because it could provide an opportunity for growth. See if there are any areas that you have not explored yet and if it feels right for you then take the leap.
Create Goals: Create short-term goals that will help you move closer to your ultimate goal. Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps so that you can track your progress and stay motivated.
Assess Your Boundaries: Make sure to assess what boundaries you need to set in order to maintain your well-being. Boundaries could include how much time you are willing to dedicate to a task, what kind of tasks can absorb your energy level, or the type of environment that you prefer to work in.
Get Creative: Find ways to challenge yourself professionally by learning new skills or attending workshops related to your profession. Look for opportunities that stimulate your creativity and help you push the boundaries of what you can do.
Be Self-Compassionate: It is okay to make mistakes and it’s important to practice self-compassion when encountering a setback. Use resources like Kristen Neff’s “Self-Compassion” exercises or read books that focus on the concept of self-compassion. By following these simple steps, you will be able to shift away from settling into your career and create an effective plan for a more rewarding future. Remember, it's not always necessary to jump into something new right away. Instead, take your time to evaluate and assess what will be the best move for you. The journey is ultimately yours and it's up to you to make it worth your while.
Take Breaks and Vacations: Taking breaks from your job can be a great way to recharge and get back on track. Whether it’s an afternoon break, a weekend away, or even a month off, taking some time away from work can be invaluable to resetting your outlook and allowing yourself to settle into the right career path.

By following these steps and creating an effective plan, you will be able to shift away from settling into your profession or career and move towards a more fulfilling and meaningful professional life.

Work with a Boundaries and Assertive Communication Black Life Coach

Are you looking to take the next step in your career but don’t know where to start? Do you feel like you are settling into your current job and need help to get clarity on the right path for you? If so, consider working with a Black life coach who specializes in boundary setting and assert coaching. With the right guidance, you can learn to build self-confidence, set healthy boundaries, and create an effective plan that will bring lasting fulfillment and success. Reach out today and take the first step toward achieving your career goals!

Work: "The Power of Maximizing Your Professional Potential"