Did you know that 30% of the workforce changes jobs every year? The key to long-term fulfillment isn’t just about chasing a traditional “career” but rather aligning your work with your strengths, values, and core drivers.
If you want to stay fulfilled even as your job evolves, here are six different ways to rethink your path:
- Zone of Genius – Focus on Strengths
- Flow State – Effortless Achievement
- Adam Leipzig’s 5 Questions – Focus on Serving
- Golden Circle (plus one) – Meaning From the Inside Out
- Daniel Pink’s Drive – Focus on Intrinsic Motivation
- DUCTRI – Intentional Design
By shifting your mindset and focusing on what truly matters to you, you can navigate career changes with confidence and purpose.
Zone of Genius – Focus on Strengths
The concept of the Zone of Genius comes from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. In the book, Hendricks explores how this concept applies to all aspects of life. However, I frequently use it with clients to help them plan the next stage of their business or career development.
How to Identify Your Zone of Genius
Find a quiet place and gather a pencil, eraser, paper, and this worksheet (see the diagram).
- Reflect on all the activities you’ve done over the past week and categorize them into the different sections of the worksheet.
- Be open to reassigning activities as you go. Some may need to be moved to different sections.
- Pay particular attention to distinguishing between your Genius Zone and Excellence Zone—some activities might need to be shifted down.
As you work through this, consider these key questions from The Big Leap:
- “What do I most love to do?” (What activities energize you so much that you can engage in them for long periods without feeling tired or bored?)
- “What work do I do that doesn’t feel like work?” (Identify tasks where you make a meaningful impact and contribution.)
- “Which activities yield the highest ratio of abundance and satisfaction compared to the time spent?”
- “What is my unique ability?” (Recognize the skills where you naturally excel, often with little effort compared to others.)
By answering these questions, you’ll gain deeper insight into your Zone of Genius and learn how to focus more on your strengths for greater success.
Flow State – Effortless Achievement
At times, even the simplest goals can feel difficult to accomplish. Small obstacles can have a significant impact on our progress.
Eliminate Distractions: Create a workspace free from all kinds of interruptions. Distractions disrupt focus and hinder deep work, making it harder to enter a state of flow.
Define Goals: Set clear, achievable objectives. Having a well-defined goal enhances productivity and keeps you motivated to move forward.
Match Skills with Challenges: Choose tasks that are challenging yet aligned with your skills. This balance helps you stay engaged and increases the chances of success.
Adam Leipzig’s 5 Questions – Focus on Serving
“The most successful people in any field always focus most on the people that they serve.” – Adam Leipzig
How It Works:
Answering these five key questions can help you gain clarity on your purpose and how you serve others:
- Who are you?
- What is your name, core beliefs, and values?
- What do you do?
- What are you exceptionally skilled at teaching or providing right now?
- Who do you do it for?
- Who is your target audience? What do they look like?
- What do these people want and need?
- Why do they seek your help? What problems are you solving for them?
- How do they change as a result?
- What transformation do they experience through your work?
Example:
“I’m a design thinking and innovation coach, helping leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers do their greatest work and make a meaningful impact on the world.”
By answering these five questions, you can clearly define your mission and align your work with the needs of those you serve.
Golden Circle (plus one) – Meaning From the Inside Out
The Golden Circle framework helps you find meaning by working from the inside out. Here’s how it works:
- Who is at the center of your goals and actions?
- Identify the core focus of your work—who or what drives your purpose.
- Why do you do what you do?
- Define your purpose, beliefs, and values. What motivates and inspires you?
- How are you different?
- Highlight your unique skills, talents, principles, and strengths that set you apart.
- What do you do to deliver your “why”?
- These are the practical aspects—your methods, channels, and areas of impact.
By following this approach, you can build a purpose-driven strategy that aligns with your values and strengths while making a meaningful impact.
Daniel Pink’s Drive – Focus on Intrinsic Motivation
Daniel Pink’s Drive highlights three key elements of intrinsic motivation that lead to greater fulfillment and success:
- Purpose – Work toward something greater than yourself. Align your efforts with a meaningful mission that inspires you.
- Mastery – Strive to improve at something that truly matters. Continuous growth and learning keep you engaged and motivated.
- Autonomy – Take control of your own life. The ability to make decisions and direct your path fosters motivation and long-term success.
By focusing on these three factors, you can cultivate deeper motivation, satisfaction, and meaningful progress in both work and life.
DUCTRI – Intentional Design
The DUCTRI framework helps you design your life and work with purpose and intention. Here’s how it works:
- Discovering – Explore your interests and uncover what excites you.
- Understanding – Identify your core drivers, values, and principles.
- Creating – Brainstorm potential options and opportunities.
- Testing – Experiment with different ideas to refine your direction.
- Resourcing – Identify gaps, seek support, and leverage available resources.
- Implementing – Focus on continuous iteration, mastery, and making an impact.
By following these steps, you can design a path that aligns with your strengths, values, and aspirations.