How to Tell If You’re In a Career Sweet Spot

When a worker has the right boss, works for the right company in the right job at the right wage, is able to integrate the personal with the work side of life, he or she is in a career sweet spot. Over and over again, people ask me how they can tell if they’re experiencing it. To answer this question, let me share what I believe are the key characteristics of a career sweet spot. Your career sweet spot will have ALL of them. See how many on this list you are currently experiencing.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Notebook and Pen
• Positive Attitude
• Honest Appraisal of Your Current Situation

1. 
    

   You work in your ideal job or the career of your dreams and are quite successful. It is meeting your needs and giving you peace. You are paid well for your contributions and the work you do.

2. 
    

   The company you work for values your skill and abilities, and encourages you to continuously develop personally and professionally.

3. 
    

   Your boss is an excellent leader who supports and assists you to do your best.

4. 
    

   Your work allows you to use your best strengths and natural talents, and gives you the results and satisfaction you desire. There are many factors that influence how well you do and how you feel about your work. By far the most important is that your natural talents and innate abilities match very closely with your work.

5. 
    

   You are able to successfully integrate your work with the personal side of your life—fun, recreation and healthy relationships.

6. 
    

   You are enthusiastic about your job and are highly motivated to complete tasks and responsibilities.

7. 
    

   You have the needed resources to take charge of your career and are willing to take action NOW.

8. 
    

   You are not squandering your time and effort in a career that doesn't match your interests.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t get discouraged if you cannot identify all of these characteristics in your current career. Most people find their sweet spot with careful planning and experimentation with a variety of career options.

Resources

• How to Achieve Energizing Synergy in Career and Work
• Top 10 Career Resources
• Tune Up Your Leadership
• How to Use Work Experience to Maximize Career Success

[Limowreck]

on 6/28/2008 Wow... the part about balancing work and fun really speaks to me. It seems like I get too involved at work and fun suffers. Then I need fun so bad, I start messing up at work. Thanks for the great article. It really makes me think.