Too many people bring the best of themselves to work and bring the leftovers home. Esther Perel
Our jobs have become one of the most central parts of our lives, of our identities. So much so that if you ask someone to describe themselves, they probably start by telling you what they do for a living. And, likewise, when you are meeting someone for the first time, your first question will probably be “What do you do?”.
The space work is occupying in our identities has also led us on an endless quest for THE dream job, as it has become harder to separate our self-worth from our professional outcome.
The problem is such a quest may lead to unhappiness and stress, as it is unrealistic.
Simone Stolzoff delved deeply into this problem. Particularly, he looked into how work has become so central to our identities and how we can start separating our self-worth from what we do to be happier with our lives and our work.
He gathered all his insights in a book entitled “The Good Enough Job”. Stolzoff was inspired by the “Good Enough Parenting” theory by Donald Winnicott, a British paediatrician, who states that being enough is a better recipe for fulfilment than seeking to be perfect.
The main idea of The Good Enough Job is that we can be happy and fulfilled at any job if we reframe unrealistic expectations and rebalance our mindsets and lives.
A ‘good enough’ job is not about settling for mediocrity; it’s about finding contentment and value in work that aligns with your current life situation. Simone Stolzoff
In this article, we are sharing the 5 key topics from Stolzoff’s book and how you can apply them to your reality.
Redefine success to incorporate wellbeing
Typically, we measure career success based on compensation (salary and benefits) or status (job title and prestige). But, as work is having a more central role in our lives, it is not just about the monetary reward anymore.
We are looking to have enjoyable experiences at work. Hence, Stolzoff believes that it is time we start measuring professional success based on satisfaction, mental health, and work-life balance.
Success isn’t just what’s on your business card or bank statement. It’s about finding a rhythm in life that makes you feel alive and true to yourself. Simone Stolzoff
How to put it into practice
Redefining success is about bringing satisfaction and well-being to the centre of the stage. So here is what you can do:
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Look for a job that aligns with your values. Stolzoff observed that people are more satisfied with their work when it is aligned with what they believe, even if it means receiving a lower salary.
It is important to clearly define and identify your values. Only then can you have an accurate idea if a certain job is aligned with who you are. Make this the step 1 of your journey.
Then, you can assess your current job satisfaction in terms of how well it aligns with your values, interests, and desired work-life balance. When you have this clear picture in your mind, you can reflect on whether you should change jobs or simply make small adjustments to the way you work.
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Set healthy boundaries to build a work-life balance. Are you working to live or living for your work? Your work should not drain all your energy. It is crucial to prioritise your well-being. (We will explore this topic later on)
Look to reduce mental overload and alleviate work-induced anxiety – for example, you do not have to be always reachable.
Break down the myth of “the dream job”
There is no such thing as the dream job.
And the problem with the continuous pursuit of this singular passion-driven job is that it can make us blind to the positives about our reality. When we are aiming to reach something unrealistic, we are never satisfied with our current reality. In this case, we tend to pinpoint and give disproportionate attention to everything negative about our current jobs – and that is exhausting.
Thus, Stolzoff urges us to be flexible and realistic towards our career decisions.
The quest for a dream job often ends in the realisation that satisfaction comes not from the job title, but from the work itself and how it fits into your life. Simone Stolzoff
How to put it into practice
The dream job does not exist. So, here is how you can seize every work opportunity with contentment:
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Be flexible with your career goals. You never really know where your current job opportunity may lead you. So, you should keep an open mind.
Plus, consider exploring opportunities you would not think of in the first place, as they may lead to unexpected satisfaction. This may include trying different roles or industries. Do not rule out your options based on initial judgement.
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Set realistic expectations. When you acknowledge the limitations and trade-offs of your job, you can reframe your mindset.
For instance, you may start looking at the typical obstacles you might face as a leader as a great opportunity to grow and expand your problem-solving skills.
It may be the case that you cannot directly change the negative parts of your work, but simply accepting them will eliminate the tendency to give them too much importance.
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Prioritise your values over what society dictates you should value. Often, we tend to follow what is defined as expected by society, but when we do it we may be ignoring different ways and opportunities where we can be fulfilled in our job.
Learn to value what is “good enough”
It is ok to be ambitious. But our dreams should not come at the cost of our current contentment.
Stolzoff addresses this issue, urging us to reevaluate what it means to be content and fulfilled in our work. A job where we feel fulfilled is not a perfect job – it is simply a job that meets the most essential personal and professional needs.
If you make this shift in perception, you may realise that it can be easier than it seems to find contentment in your current role. The critical point is to find a good balance between ambition – where you want to be – and contentment – where you are now.
A ‘good enough’ job is not about settling for mediocrity; it’s about finding contentment and value in work that aligns with your current life situation. Simone Stolzoff
How to put it into practice
Here is how you can start accepting the just “enough”:
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Align your job with your current life needs. Are you needing more time to be and take care of your family? Are you dealing with some health problem and need time to fully recover? Are you pursuing a hobby and aim to dedicate weekly hours to developing it? Make sure the job you have allows you to address your current needs.
Keep in mind that it is expected that these needs will change over time and so should your career choices.
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Acknowledge the trade-offs. There are always disadvantages. If you can learn to fully accept them, it can become easier for you to feel happier in your work, as you will not look at them as simple blocks but as opportunities for growth.
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Find satisfaction in stability and growth opportunities a job offers. Sometimes it is not about reaching sky-high opportunities, but about making steady improvements.
Set boundaries between work and personal life
If you want to achieve that work-life balance, you need to set healthy boundaries.
With the developments in technology and our usage of it both for work and leisure, it is common for work and life to be merged. It is easy to stay “on” after we have finished work. Everyone and everything is at the distance of a click.
To be happier in our work, we need to foster a balance. We need to set boundaries that allow us time to rest, recover, and follow personal dreams and activities.
“Setting boundaries is less about limiting and more about optimising the different aspects of your life.” – Simone Stolzoff
How to put it into practice
No one expects you to be available to work 24/7. Here are a few steps you can take to prioritise your well-being and build a balance between life and work:
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Define clear work hours. It is critical to know when you are working and when you should be resting. Even if you have a flexible working schedule, it is a must to clearly define when it is time to focus and when you can pursue other activities.
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Avoid work interruption during your personal time. Limit checking emails and messages when you are outside work hours. This helps reduce unnecessary stress and overwhelm.
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Prioritise personal time. Seize this time to do activities that make you feel fulfilled and happy – be it sports, being with friends or family, learning a new skill, etc.
Increase your adaptability in the workplace
The success of your career will be determined by how adaptable you are to the constantly changing market. Technologies are the top factor fostering the need to learn new skills and keep working on your personal and professional development.
Stolzoff argues you need to be open to acquiring new skills, embrace change, and be willing to take career turns when necessary. You need to remain flexible.
Your capacity to take on unexpected opportunities will be critical to your resilience and satisfaction in your career over the years.
In a world where change is the only constant, adaptability is not just a skill; it’s a survival trait. Simone Stolzoff
How to put it into practice
Here is how you can integrate change into your career plans:
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Continue learning and expanding your skill set. Stay up to date on industry trends and constantly look to update your skills.
Consider taking courses, participating in workshops or industry events, and connecting with mentors.
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Embrace change and be willing to pursue different career paths. Change may present new opportunities or obstacles to your path. Keep your mind open and be flexible about your next career move. It may help to think long-term.
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Be flexible when you are planning your career. Instead of defining every step of your career and religiously sticking to it, it is more critical to have a clear direction/ambition but leave room for unexpected pivots and opportunities.
Key takeaways
The Good Enough Job is all about dismantling the idea that we need to reach our biggest ambitions to be happy and fulfilled. According to Simone Stolzoff, any job can be a great job.
Here is what you need to keep in mind when it comes to finding joy in our work:
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Redefine what it means for you to be successful in your career. You should give more importance to factors like satisfaction, mental health, and work-life balance, compared to compensation and status.
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Acknowledge that there is no such thing as THE dream job. Set realistic expectations for your career and have flexible goals. Try to seize every opportunity that aligns with your values.
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Learn to value what is “good enough”. Ensure your job is meeting your needs and accept your job’s trade-offs. It will help to alleviate unnecessary stress.
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Set healthy boundaries. Define your working schedule and avoid work distractions when you are outside your work hours.
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Increase your adaptability in the workplace. Continue learning and expanding your skills and be flexible when planning out your career. Leave room for the unexpected.
It is up to you to start building a career that is enjoyable and energising 😉