Make career checkups part of your self-care routine

We can get so focused on our careers, job responsibilities and advancements that we forget to check in with ourselves to see how we’re feeling about the work we’re doing.

It’s like driving a car for years without ever taking it in for maintenance or skipping annual doctor’s visits — to find out later that there are issues that could have been prevented.

We are human, which means we evolve and change. If we don’t put meaningful assessments on our careers, we could end up staying at jobs, companies or industries that no longer serve us, or vice versa.

Start giving yourself career checkups.

This is different from a professional development meeting with your manager, where the focus is still about the company you work for.

A career checkup is a moment to reflect on your personal career journey, outside of your work, to give an honest assessment on whether the path you’re on is still the right one for you.

Every few months, ask yourself:

• How do I feel doing what I'm doing?

• Has the mission or value of the company I'm with changed?

• Who am I serving with the work I’m doing? Is this still meaningful?

• How have my personal values and needs changed?

Your answers should give you clues as to whether you are still on track or if you should consider making some moves.

Making a move can be as simple as revisiting your resume that’s been neglected since you landed your current job. Or, if you’re ready for a bigger change, it might mean starting your job discovery process.

Commit to doing this consistently.

I have career checkups in my calendar as recurring events so I get prompted every six months. Sometimes, it takes 15 minutes. Other times, it can be several days of thinking (then overthinking).

Finding an accountability partner or forming a career checkup group can be helpful to share your thoughts out loud.

Since this will become a part of your self-care routine, treat yourself to an at-home facial or a glass of wine (or both) afterwards.