Finding Fulfillment in Our Careers

A Journey of Experimentation and Growth

Hello everyone 👋🏻

Today, I'm sharing a reflection sparked by a serendipitous encounter that happened the other day.

While walking down the street, I ran into a former colleague, and we ended up discussing what we're doing to feel fulfilled in our careers. This conversation made me realize something crucial: trying new things in our careers isn't always well-accepted, especially if you're over 30, which I feel right now. There's still a stigma around wanting to change your life later on, and experimentation is a big part of that.

The ideal situation is having the freedom to try new things without being tied down by a full-time job. However, I know many of us don't have that luxury. Often, the real barrier is our mindset. But let's take a moment to consider those who truly can't afford to experiment without a steady income. It's a slower process, but it can be done. Trying new things helps us discover what fits and what doesn't, shaping our path to fulfillment and authenticity.

Here are some key insights from my reflections:

• Mindset is Key: Often, the biggest barrier to change is our own mindset. Embrace the possibility of change and give yourself permission to explore.

• Experimentation is Essential: Trying new things helps us learn what we enjoy and what aligns with our strengths and passions.

• Discipline: Balancing a full-time job while exploring new opportunities requires strong discipline. Keep pushing forward. Discipline will lead the motivation required.

• Support Networks: Sharing our journey with others can lead to unexpected support and encouragement from friends and colleagues.

Being stuck in a full-time job while experimenting can be very frustrating and demotivating. That's why motivation and discipline are so important. For those of you in this situation, keep going. It's a tough journey, but finding career fulfillment is worth it.

As if the universe wanted to reinforce this message, I received a call from Ana Pipa today. Oh, it has been a few years since I last spoke with her! Ana and I completed a Master's in Program and Project Management at INDEG-ISCTE Executive Education in Portugal.

So, why did she call me out of the blue? It turns out she read my recent post about finding fulfillment in our careers (you can find it here in case you missed it: LinkedIn Post - I've been active on LinkedIn lately).

After catching up, I realized something powerful: I was guiding Ana and suggesting steps that I should also take for myself. It's not that I'm not taking them, but hey!, I'm still in the process of building my new mindset, working through my insecurities, and developing my self-confidence.

This experience has been incredible. Receiving messages and calls from long-lost friends and former colleagues as a result of my reflections on LinkedIn has truly been heartwarming. I did not expect that.

Let's keep inspiring and supporting each other on this journey of personal and professional growth!

The road may be challenging, but the destination is worth every step.

With warmest regards,

Thank you for taking the time to read and, hopefully, to contribute your thoughts. I look forward to reading your comments and suggestions!

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