Do You Need a Work Therapist?
Written and published by Girl Boss in their weekly newsletter on 12/11/22
A successful career typically hinges upon a few things: A reliable network, a mentor (or two) and a supportive partner, family or friend group. But what if you need to add a work therapist to that mix?
Welcome to the burgeoning world of career therapy. Whether you call it life coaching, job therapy or career counseling, the idea is the same. It's about "giving the same amount of thought and attention to the emotions you experience in the office as those you have outside of work" writes Alice Wignall in ELLE UK.
Professionals, executives and creatives—especially those who are mid-career or deeper—are increasingly turning to these outside resources for guidance on everything from managing their emotions and stress levels to learning how to better negotiate. It all boils down to knowing your work self, better. "To be at your best in work and in your professional life, you really need to understand yourself,"explains career coach Phil Bolton to ELLE.
The first element of "work therapy" is gauging your baseline by understanding your values and priorities, as well as your work superpowers—the things you enjoy at work and are great at. Why is this worth doing? "Generally speaking, we’re at our happiest and most fulfilled when we’re using our greatest strengths to create value for other people," explains Bolton, adding that for high-level executives, seeking out this kind of extra-credit counseling is seen as a "badge of honor" and a sign that you're invested in your own success.
Whether you're seeking career therapy to level up, dig deeper into the things that are holding you back, or just to help you get through the week without wanting to toss your laptop off your balcony, it's not like career therapy is free or equitably accessible. Maybe your company offers in-house career coaching, or offers grants and stipends towards personal development—be sure to ask! In the absence of that, here's a good place to start:
Practice daily (or weekly) contemplation by checking in with the emotions that surfaced during the work day and how they affected you
Get clear on your values and the reason you come to work every day. Are they financial? Impact-driven? Rooted in flexibility or freedom?
Own your ambitions—whatever they are—and get specific about how you might achieve them.
Find your own version of a career coach. Maybe it’s someone in your dream role, a former professor or teacher or thought leader in the field you’re most passionate about. You don’t have to get everything from one mentor or coach, so consider assembling your own version of a career advisory panel, if you will.
