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  • Career Satisfaction: 6 Strategies to Achieve Your Success

    Career Satisfaction: 6 Strategies to Achieve Your Success

    Career Satisfaction- 6 Strategies to Achieve Your Success

    Firstly, let’s consider the notion that career satisfaction isn’t solely about the job itself but rather about who you become through your work. It’s about whether your job allows you to express your true self, contribute meaningfully, and feel proud of the impact you’re making. Career satisfaction comes from who your job allows you to be. Reflecting on questions like, “Do I like who I am at work?” and “Do I feel my contributions matter?” can provide insights into your level of satisfaction.

    According to a survey conducted in 2023, 62.6% of workers expressed satisfaction with their jobs, which is an increase from 56.8% in 2020 and a significant improvement from the low of 42.6% in 2010.

    Emotional Needs and Workplace Satisfaction

    Understanding and meeting your emotional needs is paramount. Feeling heard, valued, respected, and operating in an environment of honesty and transparency can significantly enhance satisfaction levels. While financial needs are essential, emotional fulfillment is equally vital for overall well-being. Research indicates that workplaces that prioritize employee well-being and provide avenues for emotional support tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction and productivity.

    Alignment with Personal Values

    Secondly, assessing whether your job aligns with your values is crucial. Feeling a sense of integrity in your work, being part of a workplace culture that resonates with your beliefs, and seeing your company uphold its stated values can reinforce a feeling of alignment. When there’s congruence between personal values and organizational values, it fosters a sense of purpose and belonging. Organizations that prioritize values alignment tend to experience lower turnover rates and higher levels of employee engagement.

    Growth Opportunities

    Next, let’s talk about growth opportunities. Career satisfaction often hinges on the potential for professional development and advancement. Knowing there’s a clear trajectory for growth, whether it’s through promotions, skill development, or challenging projects, can keep you engaged and motivated. Conversely, feeling stagnant or underutilized can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction. It’s essential to continuously seek opportunities for learning and skill enhancement to avoid becoming complacent in your role.

    Support in the Workplace

    Moreover, feeling supported in your job is vital for satisfaction. This encompasses having autonomy in decision-making, access to necessary resources, and a supportive work environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning rather than grounds for punishment. Feeling empowered and having the tools needed to succeed can significantly impact job satisfaction and overall well-being. Studies have shown that employees who feel supported by their managers and colleagues are more likely to be engaged in their work and committed to the organization’s goals.

    Achieving Career Satisfaction

    In addition to these core aspects of career satisfaction, several strategies can further enhance your professional fulfillment:

    1. Seek Meaningful Connections: Building positive relationships with colleagues, mentors, and leaders can enhance job satisfaction. Surrounding yourself with supportive individuals who share your values and goals can create a sense of camaraderie and belonging in the workplace.
    2. Set Clear Goals: Having clear, achievable goals can provide a sense of direction and purpose in your work. Whether it’s short-term objectives or long-term career aspirations, setting goals can help you stay motivated and focused on continuous improvement.
    3. Embrace Challenges: Instead of shying away from challenges, view them as opportunities for growth and development. Stepping out of your comfort zone and taking on new responsibilities can expand your skills and capabilities, leading to greater satisfaction in your role.
    4. Practice Self-Care: Prioritizing your well-being outside of work is essential for maintaining career satisfaction. Engage in activities that rejuvenate you physically, mentally, and emotionally, whether it’s exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. A healthy work-life balance is crucial for long-term satisfaction and productivity.
    5. Provide Feedback: Open and honest communication with your manager or employer about your needs, concerns, and aspirations can contribute to a supportive work environment. Constructive feedback helps identify areas for improvement and fosters a culture of continuous learning and development.
    6. Celebrate Achievements: Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Recognizing your progress and achievements can boost morale and reinforce a sense of satisfaction in your work.

    By incorporating these strategies into your professional life and continuing to reflect on your needs, values, growth opportunities, and level of support, you can cultivate a more fulfilling and satisfying career journey. Remember that career satisfaction is a journey, not a destination, and it requires ongoing effort and self-awareness to maintain. Investing in your well-being and professional development can lead to greater happiness, fulfillment, and success in your career.

    Learn more about career satisfaction strategies.

  • What Are You Mothering?

    What Are You Mothering?

    Last weekend, we celebrated Mother’s Day, a joyful holiday that can also be difficult for many people, especially if you didn’t have the ideal mother, miss your mother, or wish you or your partner could be a mother.

    There’s no denying that “mother” comes with a lot of feelings: good, bad, and complicated.

    In navigating this delicate topic over the years in a coaching capacity, the concept of mothering has come up in interesting ways.

    Not mom-ing but mothering. I’m not talking about giving birth to or adopting or raising a child.

    I’m referring to mothering in terms of giving life, bringing forth, nourishing, nurturing, growing, championing, supporting, and watching over.

    We all mother in some way, no matter our gender or parental status.

    Think about it. Where do you give life? And for that matter, where do you take it?

    There are places where we pour out and contribute, helping to generate something positive in the world.

    What Are You Mothering by Laura Berman FortgangThere may also be instances where we tend to suck the air out of the room, drain the energy from those around us, and bring down the mood.

    Where are you giving, and where are you taking away?

    When it comes to your business or career, how are you of service to your team, your clients, your audience, the people in your sphere, your ideas, various initiatives, or creative pursuits?

    How might you be dragging things down, dampening vitality with your disappointment, frustrations, or negative attitude?

    If you’re not quite sure, I challenge you to ponder this and to pay attention.

    You’ll find that focusing on mothering — giving life, strength, spirit, and good will — will bring renewed energy and possibility. It might mean stepping away from spaces where you have nothing left to give or reassessing how you show up.

    Try it and see what happens.

  • Congratulations To The Graduates!

    Congratulations To The Graduates!

    It’s graduation season, which is always an exhilarating time of year.

    Whether you have a loved one graduating (like I do!), your Facebook feed is filled with proud parent posts, or you’re catching glimpses of graduates donning caps and gowns on campuses in your town, you can’t miss it.

    I’m incredibly proud of my daughter and everyone commemorating their accomplishments through this momentous occasion . . . . and that goes for the graduates in my A-List Coach program too!

    If you look up the root of the word graduation, it’s about taking a step. When you get a degree, you’re elevating yourself to another step.

    When you graduate from a program or a course of study, you’re elevating yourself to the next step in your education, personal or professional development, career, or goal.

    Congratulations To The Graduates by Laura Berman FortgangOur A-List coaches have put in the hard work, and they’re “graduating” to the next step in their success journey.

    A book being born
    A course launching
    A TEDx Talk in the works

    We’re full of excitement as we celebrate how far they’ve come, and the great places they’re going!

    Are you graduating too?

    I encourage you to use this graduation season to celebrate your own accomplishments and to consider your next step.

    What’s your next step?
    What are you going to elevate?
    Where will you be when a new crop of graduates don their caps and gowns this time next year?

    I can’t wait to see your next level, whatever it might be.

  • Have You Reached Your Expiration Date?

    Have You Reached Your Expiration Date?

    My family often teases me because I tend to overlook expiration dates. I’m not going around guzzling sour milk, but I might add a dollop of sour cream to my potato before noticing it expired last month.

    The other day, they made fun of me over a jar of olives I should’ve tossed weeks ago. What can I say? Time flies when you’re having fun. I could’ve sworn I just bought those olives!

    But after a good laugh, I got to thinking. Isn’t it funny that almost everything has a shelf life?

    What are you holding onto past its expiration date?

    Maybe it’s a car that’s draining the bank with repair costs, a friendship that feels forced because you’ve grown apart, or a pair of running shoes that no longer put a bounce in your step.

    Perhaps it’s your career or business that has hit an expiration date.

    Don’t worry; I’m not saying it’s time to put yourself out to pasture, or quit on a whim to pursue a pipe dream. But I am saying there may be something about what you’re doing that has outlived its usefulness.

    • Have You Reached Your Expiration Date by Laura Berman FortgangA vendor you’ve come to rely on could’ve let their service quality slip, making you look bad!
    • Have you been using the same apps or systems in your business for a decade, ignoring the new and improved competitors that could save you time and boost your profits?
    • Are you relying on an outdated social media or sales strategy that has lost the advantage it once gave you?
    • A client who’s been with you from the start could be dragging you down, paying lower rates, expecting you to be at their beck and call, and undervaluing your progress and growth.

    It’s time to clean out the fridge! This time, don’t put the moldy strawberry jam back on the shelf after you’ve wiped it down.

    In other words, I’m urging you to clear out the things in your career and business that have hit their expiration date. If it’s no longer serving you, get rid of it, and replace it with something fresher and more desirable.

    What needs to go?

    Clear out the old energy and bring in the new!

  • Every A-List Coach Has This Nailed

    Every A-List Coach Has This Nailed

    I want to clear something up. This has to be said. Far too many people want to be successful coaches, but they don’t want to do what it takes to have a successful coaching business.

    Don’t get me wrong. Being a good coach doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be good at business. You might be coaching in your job, coaching for a firm, or running a hobby coaching practice that doesn’t pay the bills.

    But when you’re ready to become an A-list coach with a successful coaching business and the prosperity that comes along with it, it’s time to get serious about what it really takes.

    In my experience, it all comes down to what I call The 4 M’s — Messaging, Methodology, Marketing, Management. (And you have to nail all four!)

    1. Messaging
    Every A-List Coach Has This Nailed by Laura Berman FortgangWhen you don’t have clear messaging, your audience has no idea what to do with you. If you’re confused, they’re confused. Your messaging needs to be straightforward and get right to the point.
    For example, my message for my coach audience is simple: “I help coaches differentiate themselves in the marketplace and prosper.” What’s yours?

    2. Methodology
    Your potential clients should also know HOW you get the job done. What’s your approach for getting results? You need to have your own way of doing what you do that sets you apart from the next coach.

    3. Marketing
    You must get the word out so people know about your products and services. You don’t have to be a dancing polar bear on TikTok; you simply need to get your clear messaging and methodology out there in front of the right folks through speaking, teaching, writing, etc.
    No need to stretch yourself thin or be inauthentic. Lean into your strengths.

    4. Management
    A successful coaching business requires effective management. You need to manage your business — operations, tools, support, and resources. And you need to manage yourself — handle your personal growth by taking on each “new level, new devil” challenge with grace and confidence.

    If you’re trying to build a coaching business without nailing the 4 M’s, you’re making it a whole lot harder for yourself than necessary. I’m just going to say it: without the 4 M’s, you won’t make the A-list.

  • Do This When You’re In a Rut

    Do This When You’re In a Rut

    We’ve all had those days when things aren’t going so hot. Sometimes it drags on for weeks, months, or (dread the thought!) even longer.

    You find yourself in a rut, and it sucks.

    You didn’t win the deal or get the promotion. Your last couple of launches all but flopped. Or you’re just not excited about getting up another day to do the thing you do.

    Life feels crappy, so hiding under a rock seems like a good idea.

    Rather than face another potential disappointment, you’re tempted to avoid it all.

    You start counting yourself out, and playing small becomes your go-to survival strategy.

    Sooner or later, that rut you’re in can start to get pretty darn cozy.

    How can you get out?

    You have to play bigger and think bigger.

    It might not be easy, but there’s no doubt about it .
    Thinking small and playing small simply won’t give you the boost you need to climb out of a rut.

    Do This When You're In a Rut by Laura Berman FortgangHere’s how:

    1. Take a Stretch Leap
      Try something completely new. It could be entirely unrelated to your career or business, like taking an improv class or training for a half marathon. Or it could be something that furthers your goals, such as submitting to speak at a conference, or asking someone who inspires you to coffee. The idea is to push yourself out of your comfort zone.
    2. Alter Your Environment
      If you usually work from home, go to the library or join a co-working space. If you typically go into the office, take walking meetings around the building outside. A change of scenery can help to shift your mindset and your mood.
    3. Change the Company You Keep
      Is morale low on your team? Make lunch dates with colleagues in another department. Are the business owners you’re associated with often complaining about clients or continuously doing the same old thing year after year? Expand your network. Remember, the people you associate with affect how you view yourself and where you fit in the world.

    Getting out of a rut is all about breaking a pattern you’ve fallen into. Doing something different can give you the kick you need to change your trajectory, shift your energy, and get you moving in the right direction.

    Before you know it, you’ll be taking bigger, better, and smarter actions. You’ll know how to break out of a rut more quickly the next time you start to feel stuck.