Misalignment Burnout, Identity Shifts and a Practical Tool to Help You Navigate a Career Crisis in the Social Impact Sector
Most of us entered the social impact sector because of a desire to engage in meaningful work, create positive change, or pursue societal improvement and social justice. Would you say this is the reason you are still in this sector? Or are you still in the social impact sector because you have never paused to ask yourself whether this career path is still a good fit? Alternatively, maybe you have reflected, and yet you have not made any changes because you simply wouldn’t know where to start. The fears, limiting beliefs, and practicalities of changing sectors can undoubtedly be filled with challenges, making a career transition overwhelming.
Does anyone remember the saying ‘You will change jobs 7 times in your life’? I heard this a lot growing up, and it was generally a reflection of how our generation was supposedly different from previous generations, who were more likely to have pursued a more linear career path, oftentimes staying with one company or organisation for decades. Notably, it is difficult to track down any viable data to back up this statistic.
Some more recent (and citable) data, to help frame the context:
The average American has 12 jobs throughout their lifetime
The average tenure with a single employer is approximately 4.1 years
65% of the American workforce is actively searching for a new full-time job
39 is the average age which Americans change their careers
(Reference: Zippia, a career planning website, and cited by the World Economic Forum)
There are many number of reasons someone may change jobs or careers in their lifetime, including career advancement, a higher salary, job dissatisfaction, relocation, a shift in work-life balance, seeking new challenges, company culture, layoffs, or pursuing passion or purpose. Interestingly, it is this last reason - in search of passion or purpose - that is getting more attention these days, both within and outside the realm of social impact.
Misalignment burnout
An article published last week by Marc Travers in Forbes captured my attention - A Psychologist Explains ‘Misalignment Burnout’—When Your Job Isn’t Your Purpose. The Forbes article explains the concept as a state of exhaustion stemming from a disconnect between personal values and professional identity. It highlights its impact on mental, physical, and work-related well-being, and suggests strategies for realignment, including self-care and reflection on personal values and purpose.
While I hadn’t heard this exact terminology before, it is absolutely prominent in my coaching practice, where the bulk of my work focuses on helping clients to become unstuck. We typically start with identifying their values, and then subsequently unpacking their passions and purpose - it sounds so incredibly easy, but it can be quite hard for many and requires significant reflection and self-evaluation. I can’t imagine many people would argue with this, we all want to feel aligned with a higher purpose, mandate or ‘raison d'être’, so why then is this so difficult to do in reality? Also, one might assume that everyone in a 'purpose-driven' role, like the social impact sector, would be thrilled to go to work every day. Alas, the reality is quite different.
Identify shifts
Simply because you once had a desire for a career in social impact, does not mean that this ambition still resonates years or decades later. What once may have felt like a clear and unwavering ambition may evolve, influenced by personal growth, changing circumstances, and evolving perspectives. Just because one initially felt drawn to the ideals of social impact work does not mean that this passion remains static throughout one’s professional journey. The complexities of the sector, coupled with individual life experiences and career trajectories, ageing, changes in energy, family and personal commitments, can lead to nuanced shifts in identity and purpose. More than this, as individuals engage with the realities of navigating organizational structures, confronting systemic challenges, and balancing personal and professional aspirations, the ‘rose-coloured glasses’ may come off, and the boundless optimism and hope that one may have originally had for the sector may waiver.
Let’s take the famous quote from Mahatma Gandhi as an example. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” As a person who has struggled with untangling my professional identity from my overall identity for most of my life, and now also as a professional coach helping others to design the life and careers of their dreams, this quote is infuriating - it exemplifies clearly why so many of us struggle with the dichotomy of this sector. Yes, doing good work and having an impact can feel rewarding, but that should not be the only starting point, as it places considerable risk in neglecting one’s well-being and personal fulfilment in the pursuit of external validation and societal expectations. The starting point should include what brings you joy, along with a combination of other relevant data points, explored below.
How do I discover my purpose: A practical tool
So, how can social impact leaders navigate misalignment burnout and identity shifts and realign with their purpose? The Forbes article offers valuable insights into prioritizing self-care, fostering self-compassion, and embracing one's nature and purpose. However, we need to go a step further. Ultimately, one needs to unpack their core values, find something they love to do, where they have tangible skills, and align this with something that they can be financially remunerated for. In coaching, we often call this the ‘Sweet Spot Exercise’.
The Sweet Spot Exercise - A tool to help navigate career reflections and transitions
Step 1: Ask yourself the following questions:
Based on The Hedgehog Concept, from Good to Great by John Collins.
What are you great at? What skills and strengths do you have, or what comes naturally to you? What are your superpowers?
What brings you joy? What do you love to do? What do you enjoy doing, talking about, learning about?
What does the world need? What can you get paid (enough) to do? What marketable skills and abilities do you have?
Step 2: Look across all three categories, and search for overlaps.
What themes or patterns arise?
Think about your current job, do you see it reflected in the Venn diagram? Is there something you can do to bring your work closer to your ‘sweet spot’?
If you are contemplating a role or career transition, your sweet spot provides invaluable guidance, regarding the work you ought to pursue.
In summary, misalignment burnout and identity shifts are significant challenges facing social impact leaders today. By recognizing the unique dynamics at play within the social impact sector and the innate nature of humans as ever-evolving and shifting, we can reclaim our sense of purpose and resilience in pursuit of meaningful change. Let’s also recognize that it is natural to pause and reflect across the course of our careers, and we should be seeking out and implementing targeted strategies for realignment. As a life and career coach, I am committed to supporting social impact leaders on their journey towards greater alignment, fulfilment, and impact - because you do not need to navigate this adventure alone. Together, we can create a more sustainable and impactful social sector, bring back the joy, while championing life balance.
“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." - George Bernard Shaw, playwright, critic, Noble Prize in literature
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Are you experiencing feelings of being stuck in your current role or organization? Do you sense a disconnect between your identity and the work you are doing? Perhaps you are contemplating a career pivot or transition but feel uncertain about where to begin, and wish for guidance along the way. Reach out to me. In a complimentary 30-minute call, we will explore your career aspirations, delve into the challenges and opportunities, and discuss how coaching can support you in navigating identity shifts and misalignment burnout. Ultimately, coaching will help you to design the life and career of your dreams. Remember, embracing the power of small steps can pave the way for significant progress in crafting the life you envision.
