Five Signs You Have a Fulfilling Career

From Kafka’s beleaguered salesman Gregor Samsa to the down on his luck Willy Loman from Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman to Al Bundy from that modern opus Married…With Children There is no shortage of dissatisfied workers in modern literature and TV.

Still, that doesn’t mean you have to live the life of a struggling salesman, or disgruntled worker. Here are five signs to look out for when deciding whether or not you have a fulfilling career.

You Wake Up in a Good Mood

One of the easiest ways to tell if you feel fulfilled by the career in which you are presently employed is your mood when you wake up. We’re not talking about whether you’re a morning person (or not so much), but rather your general approach to the prospect of work. Does it invigorate or depress you?

You Are Willing to Go the Extra Mile

Another great way to tell if you have a fulfilling career is if you’re willing to go the extra mile, not necessarily for your boss or even your coworkers but rather for the sake of the project and, indeed, yourself.  This is really all about perspective—if you view work as fulfilling, you’ll likely see it as a project, whereas if you don’t, it’s liable to seem like something of a chore.

You Feel Good About Yourself

Do you have a good sense of self-worth, and is that in turn tied to your job?  If so, chances are good you’re experiencing job satisfaction and a fulfilling career.  If this isn’t the case, ask yourself—why?  What about this job doesn’t fulfill you?  Do you feel you’re not living up to your full potential, for instance, or something of that nature?

You Feel Productive

This again is pretty straightforward. Those salesmen we mentioned before, Gregor Samsa, Willy Loman, Al Bundy?  None of them felt particularly productive in their positions. If on the other hand, you come home feeling like you’ve accomplished a lot, or something meaningful, chances are you’re in a highly rewarding career.

Talk to a Therapist

Talking to a therapist can be highly constructive, to say nothing of it being cathartic. If you are unsure of how to find a productive career that suits your skills and personality, they may be able to help. It really is a worthwhile, and often life-changing exercise. Contact Ottawa Counseling Services to book an appointment and get yourself on the path to a fulfilling career.