If I'd Known Then What I Know Now...

by Karen Trent
(New Jersey)

Suzie, I found out how true my Workplace Motivators results were when I had to make a career change. Unfortunately I didn't take this assessment until after I'd made all sorts of mistakes - but at least now I know.

I'd been a job coach for a federal agency. I loved it. I did it for 10 years - my highest workplace motivator is: Social/Altruistic (the Helping Others Soul)

I love to meet, talk with, share, care and help others. And that's what I got to do for 10 years. I woke up eager most every day and kind of took it for granted that I just feel good about my work because it was such a good fit for me and what I care about.

Then our Agency had some layoffs. I was 'lucky' in that I got a promotion. I had to move to another Branch where I was to collect money from employers.

At first I was excited about all the new stuff I got to learn - my second highest motivator is: Theoretical (the Learner's Soul) - so I love to learn too. As mentioned the position was considered a promotion - I was now making more money.

Well guess what? I lasted a year... and it was the longest year of my life!

The people and the job in this new promotion were all motivated by enforcing the rules/system (high Traditional/Regulatory - the Process and Order Soul) and money (Utilitarian/ Economic - the Business Person's Soul). Both areas which are low for me on my Workplace Motivators report.

Just because I'd been in the Agency for 10 years, didn't mean I would last... The new position did not allow me to voice and be my passion. And the end-results of the tasks assigned to me were not in alignment with my motivators.

Bottom line, the old saying goes, "If I'd known then what I know now..." I'd never have moved into that new role. I spent a lot of time and money (the Agency's) doing things that made me miserable. It was even more painful for me because I knew the difference between being motivated and just getting through the day, for 10 years I'd been a good match to my job, motivator-wise.

It's interesting to me that I did not really understand this about myself, and I didn't know how to make the best decisions for my own happiness until AFTER I experienced the pain of low motivation and high stress on the job. It seems so obvious to me now - my Motivators assessment helped me figure it all out.

I'd have saved myself a lot of time and headache if I knew then what I know now. But, it IS good to know now - I now know how to focus my time and career search efforts. Thanks for all the free information you provide @ this... it's really helping me.

SUZIE'S COMMENTS...

Karen,

Thank you for taking time to share. The great thing about experiencing what we don't want is that we know more clearly about what we do want!

I know you'll find the work that makes your heart sing, you know what it looks and feels like - so I am sure it is coming again for you.

Thanks so much for being a part of the Wake Up Eager Community.
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All the Best, and More!
Suzie