Discovering one’s purpose and aligning it with one’s career is often easier said than done. Explore insights on how to align your career with your purpose to find more meaningful work.
Meet Ananda Zafir, M.Psi.
Ananda Zhafira, M.Psi., Psikolog is a psychologist, career coach, and trainer with more than six years of experience in education, learning, and training. She has experience crafting and delivering learning programs, helping young people find their purpose through career counseling, and developing psychological assessments. Her purpose is to help others discover meaning through their career.
About the episode
According to Ananda, well-being is not about living a completely stress-free life, which is unrealistic. Instead, it’s about coping healthily with daily challenges and finding meaning even in difficult experiences.
Well-being encompasses one’s ability to:
- Integrate different aspects of our lives
- Find purpose in small, everyday actions
- Navigate challenges in a healthy way
- Cope with stress and negative emotions
- Find meaning in both positive and negative experiences
One major misconception Ananda highlights is that if you’re doing work you’re passionate about, you should always feel energized and energized. This belief can be harmful, leading people to ignore their needs and boundaries.
In reality:
- It’s normal and okay to feel tired, even when doing work you love
- Taking breaks and rest is essential, regardless of how much you enjoy your work
- Burnout can happen even in careers aligned with our passions
- Prioritizing mental health and work-life balance is crucial for sustainable success
Purpose is deeply personal and can mean different things to different people. Ananda emphasizes that purpose doesn’t have to be grandiose or world-changing. Your purpose can evolve and isn’t limited to your career. The key is identifying what feels meaningful and fulfilling to you personally.
Finding your purpose is rarely an overnight revelation. For Ananda, it was a years-long process involving reflection on personal interests and strengths, conversations with trusted mentors and colleagues, exploring different fields and roles, gaining feedback from others, and overcoming limiting beliefs and negative self-talk.
Additionally, Ananda also says that it’s important to remember that this process is ongoing and can involve periods of uncertainty or feeling stuck. Patience and self-compassion are key. Once you understand your purpose, the challenge becomes integrating it into your career path.
This might involve researching industries and roles that align with your values, identifying transferable skills that can be applied to purpose-driven work, and exploring ways to incorporate purposeful activities into your current job. Remember, perfect alignment isn’t always possible or necessary. The goal is to find ways to express your purpose through your work, even if it’s not the sole focus of your career.
In conclusion
Aligning your career with your purpose is a deeply personal and ongoing journey. It requires self-reflection, exploration, and often a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. You can create a more meaningful and fulfilling professional life by understanding yourself, researching options, seeking guidance, and remaining open to possibilities.
Be the first to see our next episode. Follow us on social media to stay updated:
You can also subscribe and listen to the show on your preferred podcasting platforms:
