Defining your "Why"

By Joan Johnson OTR/L, MPA-HA
​Master in Health Administration

Many of our clients are unhappy in their current positions, yet unsure of their long term career plan. Some are feeling caregiver burnout, physically and emotionally exhausted by the increasing demands of patient care, frustrated with lack of professional opportunities for growth, or tired of a negative workplace culture. Whatever your “Why” is for needing a change, having it defined will help guide career decisions, even if your future title and direction remain open-ended or unclear.

Prioritizing your professional and personal needs by writing them down will help you feel more confident in making a career change.

Define what career success and job satisfaction mean to you.  What do you value most?  What “fills your cup” and keeps you motivated?  What do you excel at?

• Does success mean you leave work feeling fulfilled?
• Does building programs or services help you feel accomplished?
• Does utilizing specialty skills that create a professional niche bring you joy?
• Do you feel successful supporting others in providing quality care to patients by supervising or managing others?

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What is most important to you in a position? Salary and benefits? Autonomy and flexibility with the schedule? Working for an organization with a strong mission, values, or ethical business practices? Opportunities for professional growth? Working with a collaborative and positive team?

• Make a list in order of your priorities.
• Rate them 1-10 in order of most desirable, knowing that you may not get everything you desire but have defined those most important to you.
• How do these priorities tie into your personal and professional goals, and help guide your search for career success and job satisfaction?
• Is it most important for you to have multiple income streams, or have a sustainable career that is going to be less impacted by economic changes and healthcare policy implications?

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Your definition of career success belongs to you. Write it down. Develop a vision board. Get inspired. Make a priority list. Even if you are unsure where you will end up, taking a calculated risk and making a change is easier when you have a written plan.

We now offer 1 hour career coaching sessions to help you solidify your priorities and define your personal vision of career success.