We recently went on a trip to the amusement park, hoping it would be fun for everyone. Our group included children of various ages, which meant some were too small for certain rides while others were too tall. Additionally, the children had different ideas about what would be fun and what would be terrifying, leading to challenges in deciding the next activity. Some rides were too scary for some kids, and others had height restrictions that excluded the older ones. What was supposed to be fun for all just wasn’t for everyone. So why, on this day meant for fun, did we have to work so hard to achieve it?
Amusement parks are marketed as places for full family fun. The rides can be thrilling, the food delicious, and the shows or parades exciting. It can be stimulating and enjoyable to be around so many people. However, for others, amusement parks are about standing in line for rides that make you feel sick, eating food that upsets your stomach, and enduring the hot weather. It can also be a sensory overload, turning a supposedly fun day into one you just want to end. In short, what seems great to some can seem horrible to others. Then there are the folks in the middle—some parts of the park they love, others they don't, so they find fun in their own way.
This can also be true of careers. What seems like the perfect role to some might look horrible to others. Even the person in that role may feel misunderstood, with others believing they have it made while they feel stuck in a difficult situation. For example, a physician working 8-5 may appear to have an enviable income but might feel they are just churning out visits, trading money for time and flexibility with their children, leading to stress and burnout. Another person in the same role might feel completely fulfilled and happy. Someone else might find the pace and limited patient interaction too demanding, leading to excessive documentation time that limits their personal life.
So, what does this mean? It means that as we take on roles, we need to reflect on our own priorities. How do we determine our priorities? This assumes we have already identified our own purpose. If you haven’t done that yet, take some time to do so. Once you know your purpose, it's easier to set priorities for different areas of your life. These priorities can then guide what to look for or advocate for in your career. You might prioritize being available to be a room parent on Mondays, leading you to work less or on weekends. Alternatively, you might prioritize having weekends free and be willing to work more during the week. Everyone has different priorities, which initially seems tough when seeking advice, but these differences are wonderful because it means there is a good fit out there for everyone—you just might need to do some digging.
Some people love the biggest drops on roller coasters, just as some love the intensity of a fast-paced job. Some people love the spins, akin to those who love the challenges of a new patient every day. Others may prefer the calmness and predictability of the carousel, just as they prefer a more predictable and calm career. This means we should each understand our own purpose, priorities, and needs for fulfilling careers and fun days.
I’d love to hear about times when you realized that your experience or job didn’t match your expectations or priorities.
If you need help identifying your purpose or priorities, please reach out—I’m here to help.
#FindingFun #Priorities #LifeBalance #CareerFulfillment #PersonalGrowth #FamilyFun #SelfDiscovery #PurposeDrivenLife
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