06/03/2025
Engaged vs busy
Do you ever feel like, while you aren’t dissatisfied with your work, you're just a bit on autopilot? Like you desire to be more engaged, not just busy? Like you want to do projects at your true potential and contribute to a larger purpose?
I hear this frustration often during coaching sessions. When frustration sets in or you feel you’ve plateaued it can be hard to know what to do next. You may be afraid to jeopardize your current job and all the benefits that come with it, or you’re afraid to take a step toward the unknown – after all career decisions are also life and family decisions.
Before jumping to conclusions about the course of action to take, let’s consider the range of options available.
Here are what I call the 4 P’s, potential pathways forward for anyone considering a transition or feeling unsettled at work: pivot, promotion, pause, and passion (in no particular order).
The 4Ps provide valuable information that allows you to make a choice, to notice what's working and what's not, and to pinpoint the areas you want to lean into to create change and enhance your experience in work and life.
▶️ Pivot: This option may involve gathering information that it's time for a change. It could mean moving to a new organization, exploring different roles, or shifting your career trajectory.
▶️ Promotion: Seeking advancement in your career — whether in your current organization or team or a new one — can inject fresh energy, challenge and responsibility into your professional journey. It's about upleveling your visibility and embracing growth opportunities.
▶️ Pause: Give yourself room for exploration, discovery and rest — defined here as ceasing from striving and achieving. Instead of taking immediate action, spend time gathering information, exploring your curiosities, and widening your awareness to new things. This pause allows for self-discovery and information gathering, crucial for making informed decisions.
▶️ Passion: Consider redirecting your energy towards personal passions. If work feels routine but generally enjoyable, leverage this stability to pursue hobbies or personal projects that bring fulfillment outside of your professional life.
So, if you've ever felt a bit of discomfort around your role or sensed it's time for a change, consider this framework. Reflect on whether your next step aligns with pivot, promotion, pause, or passion. Whether it's exploring new opportunities, seeking advancement, taking time for self-reflection, or pursuing personal interests, there's no one-size-fits-all solution.
