Kimberli Lowe-MacAuley* says there are five key areas to consider when searching for a career that fits your life.
When figuring out what you want to do with your life, you should consider all aspects of your life—not just your professional goals.
Your personal life, family life, and other commitments all play a role in deciding which career is right for you.
For example, if you have young children or a family member with a chronic illness, you might consider a job that allows you to work from home or has flexible hours.
Because your career affects every aspect of your life, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to finding the right path.
But by taking a holistic approach and considering all aspects of your life, you can find a career perfect for all your interests, needs, and responsibilities.
Creating career goals that fit your life
It can be hard to consider starting over if you’ve got a degree in a specific field.
Or, perhaps you’re farther along in your career path and realizing that it’s not a great fit, but you’re feeling stuck.
No matter what stage of your career you’re currently in, it’s never too late to build a career that fits your lifestyle goals instead of always trying to fit your life around your career responsibilities.
To find your perfect career fit, consider what’s most important to you in the following areas, and then you can narrow down your options.
- A career that allows you to prioritize relationships
What is important to you outside of work?
Do you have young children at home, or are you caring for an aging parent?
Do you want to be able to spend more time with your family, or do you need a job that allows you to travel frequently to your parent’s residence?
This might mean that a job better serves you with a flexible schedule or a remote position that doesn’t have a location requirement.
Perhaps your priorities aren’t schedule-related, but you must have excellent benefits to protect your family’s health.
Start creating a list of your nonnegotiables, and then add some nice-to-haves to your list.
- A career that supports your geographical preferences
Do you want to live in a big city, or would you prefer the slower pace of a smaller town?
Are you willing to relocate for your dream job, or do you need to stay close to home?
Consider your geographical preferences when choosing a career.
If your current career doesn’t accommodate your geographical preferences, perhaps you can explore how your skills could transfer to a new job that could better meet your needs.
When you pursue remote careers, your career options are often greatly expanded, and you can start exploring career options that were previously out of reach.
This is a far better option than settling for a job simply due to the limitations of your commute.
- A career that ensures you have portability
Are you a military spouse? Or, do you have dreams of being a digital nomad? Do you need a career you can pack up and take with you?
Taking geographical flexibility to the next level, jobs without location requirements mean that you don’t have to put your career on hold the next time your spouse transfers duty stations.
Or, perhaps you’ve dreamed of living in an RV and traveling while continuing to work toward your long-term career goals.
Rather than continually starting over or feeling like you have to choose between your dreams and your career, you can continue your career momentum while you’re on the go.
- A career that encourages you to thrive
Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment, or are you more comfortable when everything is routine-oriented?
Do you like working with people, or do you prefer to work independently?
Consider your preferences about the type of work environment you can excel in.
To be productive and successful in your career, you must have an environment that meets your needs.
Beyond simple preferences, if you have a disability, you’ll need to find a company that is willing to make adjustments so that you can perform your job duties.
Perhaps you’re sensitive to certain chemicals and need a job where accommodations can be made for your allergies.
Or, maybe you need a desk and chair that are the proper height for your ergonomic needs.
No matter what type of workplace accommodations you require, make sure that they are nonnegotiable when you’re considering your next career move to ensure you can thrive.
- A career that promotes your well-being
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a career, but one of the most important is whether or not the role and the company will support your overall well-being.
A stressful job that leaves you feeling unfulfilled will not help your mental or physical health in the long-term, regardless of the pay or title accompanying it.
On the other hand, a career that you enjoy that provides you with a sense of satisfaction can make a tremendous difference in your overall happiness.
If you’re considering your career options, take the time to ensure that you’re prioritizing finding a career that supports your overall well-being.
It may take some extra time and effort, but it will be worth it in the end.
Finding the perfect career fit
It’s important to take the time to analyse careers for how they’ll fit into your everyday life and support your long-term dreams.
From your financial needs to your work-life balance goals, focusing on the areas above will help ensure that your career is an excellent fit for your personal vision.
*Kimberli Lowe-MacAuley is a Content Coordinator for FlexJobs.
This article first appeared at flexjobs.com
