Your Values and Job Satisfaction

Burnout from work is becoming a buzzword now that so many people experience it. Exhaustion, no motivation, dread, and hopelessness are some of the signs. While many factors contribute to burnout, one often overlooked element is the connection between personal values and work. When what's demanded of you at work clashes with what you truly care about, stress and dissatisfaction can build up quickly. The opposite is also true. When one's core values are aligned with their work, motivation, emotional wellbeing, and work-life-balance naturally follow.

So what can one do to work toward this; especially when we don't tend to have much control over what we do at work? Read on for tips and considerations.

Understanding the Role of Personal Values in Work

Personal values are the principles and beliefs that guide your decisions and behavior. They stand for what matters most to you, such as growth, creativity, family, or helping others. When your work reflects these values, it feels authentic and fulfilling. When it doesn’t, you may feel disconnected, frustrated, or exhausted.

For example, someone who values autonomy may struggle in a highly controlled work environment, while a person who prioritizes community might feel isolated in a job that lacks teamwork. This mismatch can lead to chronic stress and eventually burnout.

How Values Affect Work-Life Balance

Values influence how you set boundaries between work and personal life. If you value achievement and mastery, you may have a hard time with work-life balance - working long, intent hours. Burnout can be further exacerbated when values conflict with each other in your work and personal life. For example, if you value duty and family, working at a demanding job can make it challenging to adequately fulfill you duties to both your job and family.

Impact on Job Satisfaction

Job satisfaction is influenced by a host of factors that I may get into in another blog post. There is a kernel of truth in the saying "if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life." Imagine someone who values community and cooperation showing up to a collaborative and supportive team at work. It'd likely feel motivating and meaningful to be a contributing member. The contrary is also true. If someone's hard work is consistently thrown out the window for arbitrary or unforeseen reasons, they would be at more risk for workplace burnout for a lack of purpose.

Strategies to Align Work with Core Values

Aligning your work with your values is not always easy, but it is possible with intention and openness. Here are some strategies to help you get started:

1. Identify Your Core Values

Take time to reflect on what matters most to you. You can use tools like values card sort or journaling prompts to clarify your priorities. Ask yourself questions like:

• When were you happiest? What were you doing?

• When have you been most energized and fulfilled?

• What are your special interests?

  
  

2. Evaluate Your Current Job

Compare your core values with your current work situation. Identify areas where your job supports or conflicts with your values. This awareness will help you understand the sources of stress or satisfaction.

3. Set Boundaries That Reflect Your Values

If courtesy (to be considerate and polite toward others) is a value of yours, you may experience the conflicts between helping coworkers and getting your own work done in a timely and satisfactory manner. Take some time to identify ways and language that demonstrate courtesy and set clear limits on what you can and cannot offer. This is challenging and takes trial and error. By effectively resolving the conflict, you will be protecting your time to maintain balance and reduce burnout risk.

4. Seek Meaningful Projects or Roles

Look for opportunities within your organization that align better with your values. Volunteering for projects that match your interests or skills can increase engagement despite some increase in your workload. When possible, consider exploring new positions or career paths if your current role is a poor fit. You can start by identifying resources (e.g. career counseling, identifying a "job-search buddy" etc.).

5. Practice Self-Compassion and Mindfulness

Recognize that having a job that is a "perfect fit" is rare, and it's all too natural for conflicts between demands of us and our values to arise. Practice mindfulness, to stay aware of your feelings, and self-compassion, to manage setbacks without harsh judgment.

Reflecting on personal values to improve work satisfaction and prevent work burnout

Improving Mental Health Through Value Alignment

Aligning work with values supports mental health by:

• Enhancing sense of purpose, which buffers stress

• Improving motivation and engagement, reducing exhaustion

• Fostering positive relationships when values include connection and respect

Taking Action to Prevent Burnout

If you are starting to feel burned out at work, try exploring your values. Use the strategies above to make small changes that bring what you do closer to what matters most. This process takes time and intention. It's an investment into building a purposeful and authentic way of living that's worth the effort.

The Origins of Our Values

Values becoming our compass for life evolves and precipitates overtime and across settings. Your values tell a story of who you are and where you have been. Increasing your overall awareness of your compass for life is a step toward a closer relationship with yourself that goes beyond burnout prevention. I wish you well in your ongoing journey for a life well lived.