Transform Your Career: 6 Core Beliefs for Professional Growth
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Career Journey
Reflecting on the beginning of your career, did you feel a surge of enthusiasm? Many enter the workforce with aspirations of climbing to the pinnacle of their profession, fueled by ambition and excitement. However, for numerous individuals, there arrives a point where their career feels less like a dream and more like a monotonous routine. The passion that once drove them dissipates, and the workday transforms into a tedious countdown to 5 PM.
In these moments, many people mentally disengage, feeling trapped in what is often referred to as "quiet quitting." Various factors can lead to this dissatisfaction—be it financial issues, a lack of career advancement, underutilized skills, or simple boredom with daily tasks. Life is too brief to dedicate our time to pursuits that fail to inspire or challenge us. Don’t you desire a career that resonates with your identity and values?
For me, the answer was a resounding yes! Once I made that decision, the right connections, insights, and opportunities began to manifest in my life. This journey led me to internalize six core beliefs that have profoundly transformed my career, which I elaborate on in my book, Empowered to Upgrade. This book serves as a roadmap for career empowerment, equipping readers with the mindset and skills essential for success in their professional endeavors. You can find it here.
Here are the six core beliefs that revolutionized my approach:
Core Belief 1: My Purpose Exceeds a Paycheck
Recognizing that my purpose transcends merely earning a salary was transformative. It motivates me to pursue work that aligns with my passions and values. My passions include writing, teaching, and coaching individuals to overcome their fears and become their best selves. My values encompass autonomy, family, deep connections, integrity, and equity.
Core Belief 2: I Am Here to Impact Lives
This belief instills a sense of duty and motivation to positively influence those around me, enhancing the fulfillment I derive from my work. A saying I frequently heard growing up as a preacher's daughter was, "Charity begins at home and then shared abroad." I prioritized nurturing and making a difference in the lives of my four children before extending my gifts to others who seek my insights and are open to change.
Core Belief 3: I Am My Own Advocate
As a child, I was quite shy and accustomed to letting my father make decisions for me. This led to many missed opportunities for personal and professional development. Eventually, I recognized that if I wanted to succeed, it was up to me to take charge of my career. I learned that I had to stop waiting for permission and start preparing to seize or create opportunities.
Core Belief 5: Success Lies Within Me
Believing in my inherent potential empowers me to seek out the right mindset, skills, and environment to flourish. This belief aligns with Carol Dweck's research on growth mindsets, as described in her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Dweck’s work emphasizes that abilities can be cultivated through hard work and dedication. Whether it's finding mentors, pursuing educational opportunities, or engaging in side projects, I constantly look for ways to foster my potential.
Core Belief 6: I Will No Longer Play Small
Choosing to fully engage in my career meant no longer letting fear or self-doubt hinder my progress. Embracing this belief required me to commit to self-efficacy and mastery—two vital elements for personal and professional development. Self-efficacy, a concept introduced by psychologist Albert Bandura, refers to the belief in one’s capability to succeed in specific tasks. This realization prompted me to set achievable goals, celebrate small wins, and tackle challenges head-on.
By accumulating these successes, my confidence flourished, reinforcing my belief that I could tackle more significant challenges. Mastery involves achieving a high level of skill in a particular area, demanding dedication and a willingness to step outside of my comfort zone. For me, this means actively seeking opportunities to deepen my expertise and refine my abilities.
Final Thoughts
We all deserve careers that invigorate us, bring financial stability, and enhance our enjoyment of life. Although challenges and setbacks will arise, these should not be viewed as failures but rather as chances for growth. By adopting these core beliefs, I have transformed my personal and professional life, and the same potential resides within you.
About the Author
Hello! I’m Shannon, an Author, Instructional Designer, Trainer, and I/O Psychology Practitioner. My focus is on empowering corporate professionals with side hustles to combat misalignment burnout, enabling them to engage in value-driven work and lead fulfilling lives.
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Chapter 2: Embracing Mindset Shifts
The first video, How To Heal Negative Core Beliefs And Live A More Joyful Life, explores how addressing negative beliefs can lead to a more fulfilling life.
The second video, Psychologist's Step-by-Step Process to Identify Your Core Values, delves into practical steps for recognizing your fundamental values and how they can shape your career.