What It Means to Enjoy Your Job: The Mid-Life Lawyers’ and Executives’ Guide to Job Satisfaction
While some people doubt it, it is possible to enjoy your job. I mean really enjoy your job. I am not here to sprinkle fairy dust and sing kumbaya about finding joy in the your job everyday. Lawyers and executives who have been around long enough to know that “living the dream” usually involves more complex problem-solving than it does sipping margaritas on a beach.
But the truth is that it is possible to enjoy your job and make very good money.
Let’s dive into what enjoying your job really means.
The Value of Liking What You Do.
Liking your job doesn’t mean you have to love every single minute of it. I love my job but there are some days I’d rather phone in sick. Liking your job is about finding those moments that make you feel good about what you are doing. It’s the sense that, at the end of the day, you did something worthwhile and meaningful. It’s a feeling that you are not wasting your intellect and talents on things that don’t matter to you.
The Mid-Life Crisis Cop-Out.
It’s no coincidence that many lawyers and executives start thinking about exploring their options when they hit their 40s. Ah, “ye olde mid-life crisis,” that tumultuous time when some decide the answer to their problems is to buy a Porsche or Bimmer. But here’s a radical thought: instead of blowing your money on a European sports sedan, why not invest in finding joy in your job? Mid-life should be less about superficial thrills and more about finding real, sustainable satisfaction in your work.
Finding Your Niche.
Enjoying your job starts with finding your niche. For lawyers, it might mean spotting issues, doing research, training younger associates, negotiating great deals. What are the parts of your job that you really like and at which you excel? For executives, it may be the sweet spot where your strategic vision clicks into place and you then lead your team toward producing great results. It’s these pockets of time where everything just flows, and you feel good about your day. Identify those elements in your work! What’s your niche?
There are good careers out there that are based on the things you like to do and do well, and which deliver a feeling of accomplishment and meaningfulness.
Work-Life Balance: Not Just a Myth.
Work-life balance is not a unicorn — it exists! But achieving a good balance requires effort and boundaries. Enjoying your job means making sure it doesn’t consume your life. It’s about having the courage to close the laptop and actually leave the office (physically or metaphorically) at a reasonable hour. It’s about making time for the things that matter outside of work – family, hobbies, wives, husbands, golf – you know, the things in life that are important to you. The only ones who will remember how many hours you worked each week are your loved ones … the very people that you didn’t spend enough time with.
The Satisfaction of Mastery – a Two-Edge Sword.
There’s a joy in being good at what you do. For mid-life lawyers and executives, this often means leveraging your years of experience to navigate complex challenges with relative ease. It’s the satisfaction of seeing a project through from inception to completion, knowing that you have nailed it. Mastery is something that can make you feel good, but if the mastery you have doesn’t bring career satisfaction – if the results of your mastery aren’t fulfilling to you — then you need to apply it in a way that does. Identify the areas where you feel you have mastery, then look at other career areas where that skill set is valued.
The Importance of Mentorship.
One often overlooked source of job satisfaction is mentoring others. There’s something incredibly rewarding about sharing your hard-earned wisdom with those just starting out, or who are having problems grasping a legal concept. Watching them grow and succeed because of your guidance can give you a whole new perspective on your career. If helping the professional development of others is important to you, then that skill can be the foundation for a new career.
Conclusion: Joy in the Journey.
So, what does it mean to enjoy your job? It’s about finding those elements that make you feel that what you are doing really matters. It’s about applying your talents toward results that you feel are worthwhile. Most of all, it’s about having time to enjoy your family and your loved ones, and to have a life that is more than your job. For experienced lawyers and executives, it’s not about chasing a fantasy; it’s about embracing the reality of a career well-lived and finding joy in the journey.
If you are an attorney and you’ve been thinking about exploring your career options and or discovering “what else is out there” for you, but are not sure how to even start the process, get in touch with our team today for a virtual cup of coffee. You will receive a confidential, no-cost consultation to discuss your situation and goals, and will also get expert advice on how to launch your job campaign.
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