Oct 29, 2024
Values are the things that motivate us. They are a reflection of who we are, what is important to us and, in some cases, why we went into a field in the first place.
Of all the areas of work life, a mismatch in the area of values can create the most distress, resulting in that icky feeling that you just can’t shake, like something is off (perhaps that you are being taken advantage of, misled or trapped).
A mismatch in Values occurs when:
Perhaps you went into your field for a meaningful reason but you feel forced to work in ways that do not align with the purpose of your job (like when healthcare workers are strictly limited in how long they can spend with each patient).
Perhaps the primary responsibilities of your job ARE aligned to your values but other tasks (often administrative or workarounds) take up so much time that you don’t get to do them enough.
“I went into this work because I wanted to help people but, more often than not, nothing I do feels helpful.”
When that feeling of discontent occurs repeatedly, the area of Values is a good one to investigate.
When we experience a mismatch in values, all three of the dimensions of burnout - cynicism, a sense of not being effective, and exhaustion - can be triggered.
Having worked with hundreds of people to help them thrive at work, I have collected great ideas from real people about how to get more of what they need from work.
No idea is right for everyone but when that icky feeling sets in, it is important to look for what is possible and, more importantly, what is in your control.
When looking for possibilities, start any idea with “I could”, “ I can”, or “I’m willing to”. This can help connect you to what is in your control.
Here are 15 IDEAS FROM REAL PEOPLE if you want Values to be more of what you need or expect. If they’re not for you, hopefully they can get you thinking about what is.
A mismatch in values can feel permanent and unchangeable and, if we’re being honest, sometimes it is. But you’ll never know until you take an honest look, and maybe even have some honest conversations.
As tempting as it is to want to protect ourselves from the truth of a mismatch, talking about values openly can often help bring awareness to them.
Sometimes change is possible. But when change is not possible, a values mismatch often results in needing to look for another, better match.
Reference: “The Burnout Challenge” by Christinia Maslach and Michael P. Leiter