Thinking About Changing Jobs? Think About This

What drives you to do the things you love?

That simple question can serve as a compass when we’re facing a change in job or career.

The idea is to “anchor our identities not to what we do but to why we do it,” writes Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist, in a recent article in the Washington Post. “Thinking of our identities in this way can make us more resilient in the face of change.”

For example, Shankar initially pursued a career as a concert violinist before being sidelined by a hand injury. As she thought about her options, she realized that what she loved most about playing music was connecting with people emotionally. That insight eventually helped her forge a new career path as a cognitive scientist.

“For you, it might be a love of storytelling, or learning new things, or challenging yourself, or helping others,” Shankar writes. “Whatever it might be, remembering this can help you feel grounded during periods of uncertainty, guiding you toward your next steps while retaining the core of who you are.”

You can read the full Washington Post article here.