Finding My Way

clifton strengths Nov 20, 2022

Joining Compass Within

I started my Compass Within journey at the beginning of 2022, shortly after leaving a very stressful job. I was feeling tired and directionless, and I knew I needed some time off to hear myself think. My graduate education and most recent work experience was in public health, with a specific focus on health literacy and clear communication. As much as I cared about these topics, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to dedicate my career to continuing to work in the field, and I was having some uncomfortable feelings about even contemplating a change. I honestly had no idea what I might want to do next, and I hoped that having some intentional time to reflect might help me clarify the next steps in my career.

 

“Semi-Retirement”

With all this new time on my hands, I’m happy to say that I actually had a lot of fun! It felt liberating to say “yes” to things I previously would have denied myself because I had too much to do and worry about at work. I went on several trips, including a solo visit to Hawaii. I got more involved in my church, and I started dating a really awesome guy. And, of course, I rested. For me, that meant sleeping in, taking afternoon naps, going for long walks, playing lots of pool, and doing jigsaw puzzles.

 

Seeing Career Choice Points

During this time, a few professional opportunities floated my way, and I had to figure out which were the ones I actually wanted to pursue and which were the ones I thought I should want to pursue. The exercises in Compass Within helped me say “yes” or “no thank you” (or even “hell no,” but only to myself!) with less shame and more confidence. I knew there were specific tasks that my Strengths really liked. I also knew that the people and culture I’d work with would make a huge difference.

 

Navigating Obligation

First, there was a job that involved a mix of bookkeeping and being an assistant for the owner of a local small business. While my Strengths were excited about the tasks, I had a gut feeling that this was not the right fit for me. In the past, I might have stuck with it because I felt obligated to follow through and see something to the very end, and because there was a high need. Plus, I knew I could do the job really well. However, I’m glad I listened to my body (something I learned in Compass Within) and politely declined the opportunity after a few days of trying out the work. It was a hard and uncomfortable conversation, but I’m glad I stood my ground and owned my own voice. I also had the chance to work with some previous colleagues on a short-term public health project where I conducted hour-long interviews with parents. Now, this was right up my alley! Not only did the tasks fit well with my Strengths (especially Individualization and Analytical), but the team members and organization culture were a great match with my Strengths as well. This was a project I enjoyed working on, and I’m glad I said “yes” to this opportunity.

 

Using Values to Guide Decisions

In Module 6 of Compass Within, we talk about values. For me, that word was something I understood in the abstract but never actually took time to reflect and name what things were important to me. It was also cool to realize that I don’t have to commit for the rest of my life to the values I chose that week. The most important thing is being able to articulate and explain (for yourself, not necessarily to others) the values that are guiding your specific situation. And, just like situations and people, values can change over time.

During my time in Compass Within and my time off, my guiding values were:

  1. Simplicity - I wanted to strip away the extra stuff to focus on what was most meaningful to me (rest and fun). 
  2. Connection - I also wanted to focus on the new relationships in my life. 

Knowing my Strengths better and being clear on my values meant that I had more confidence to make decisions that were right for me. And that felt really good after feeling super lost and uneasy at the beginning of my journey.

 

Still Figuring It Out

Like I mentioned earlier, values can change. As time went on, I needed more stability in my life. I started applying for jobs and roles that seemed to fit my Strengths. During my interviews with the organizations, I asked very intentional questions to figure out the culture and team dynamics. Now I’m in a new full-time role, and so far it’s a good fit for my Strengths and values. My team is great, and the work-life balance is nice. It’s not the perfect fit for my skill set, so there are days I have to deal with my inner voice (and people in my life) that tell me I could be in a higher position, earning more, or doing more direct public health work. I’ve been telling myself as a response: “I’m on my way.” I’m much happier these days, and I know I have the tools to make sound decisions and adjust course as needed. In other words, I’ve gone from feeling directionless to being intentional about my next steps.

 

By Guest Blogger, Anna S.
Harmony,  Individualization,  Discipline,  Consistency,  Analytical.

 

Click here to book a call with me and chat more

Schedule A Call