​Written By Shea Ki

There it is again. You wonder, when did it start? This feeling of just getting through the day at work? You aren't sure when the spark faded or perhaps you still haven't found what type of work lights you up. Either way, feeling stuck is a torture that takes its toll over time or with a sudden crash that disrupts everything you once had in order in your life.

Career disharmony is a discomfort that often starts out like a whisper from your heart that you feel unsettled, especially at your job. Perhaps you work is out of line with your true gifts. Maybe you are not sure what a better fit would be. Or often worse, you are not being valued in the workplace or you feel like over 50% of American employees who  are overwhelmed and close to being burnt-out. 

When left unaddressed or under-explored, career disharmony becomes a maddening yell from your soul that aches wildly for relief. 

As the legacy of Dr. Wayne Dyer, who this world recently lost, encourages, "Don't die with your music still in you". Ignoring your truth of what you have to offer and pushing it away as noise, a phase, or something that is not the priority right now keeps the disharmony growing. This path often leads to lost income, missed opportunity, and sometimes disease.

The following are common struggles from clients over the past decade and others who ask me for career and interviewing support. I grouped their challenges into what I see are the most prevalent symptoms of career disharmony. 

1. Putting off making a change again. And again.
"I keep promising myself I won't stay where I am not valued. But it's been a few years already and I am still working at the same toxic place where management is making it worse."

"I am comfortable to show up as me in other parts of my life, but at work I am feeling so damn incongruent and it makes my skin crawl. It's hard to find time to figure this out though."

2. Selling yourself short
"I know this is not even close to my dream job, but I can't imagine going through the horrid stress of interviewing again."

"I have done great things, but I fumble when I have to talk about my accomplishments. It keeps me here, but at least its a good paycheck."

3. Even the weekends are a blur
"I used to go out more often, but I'm so tired on the weekends all I want is to binge out on Netflix shows and carbs."

"On Saturdays, I am often catching up on what I couldn't get done during the week. It's how I stay ahead on the job and it's helped me get promoted. I don't feel like it's something I can keep up, though. Or if I even want to."

4. Increased health issues and stress
"My parents often said to follow my dreams and money will follow. I tried that and it didn't work and I couldn't pay my bills. Now I make really good money but I threw something away in the process while gaining more heartburn and rush-rushing all the time. I want that piece of me back."

"It's hard for me to shut down the pressures from work. I go to yoga class and eat pretty well, but it's still tough for me to dial down my anxiety and doubts. I think this might start affecting my performance."

5. Constantly in automatic mode
"Work. Eat. Sleep. Maybe trying to squeeze in a fitness class or a date but honestly those are the first things to go on the back burner when I need to get more work done. Or capture more sleep. Or eat something comforting to relieve the stress." 

"I sometimes find myself driving towards work instead of heading to run the errand I need to do. I laugh at myself when I do this, but then I wonder what else am I missing living in automatic gear so much?"

Experiencing any of these difficult situations can also be seen as opportunities to make a change for the better. You can shift from career disharmony to a line of work that aligns with your true gifts or a more healthy envionment that lets you "play your music". The first step is recognizing that you deserve a more positive situation and knowing that there is support to help you figure it out from there. 

Your turn- What ways do you see career disharmony affecting your day to day? Or if you love your job and feel valued at your workplace, what tips do you have for others to find a better situation? Join in the discussion by posting your comment.

Most of all, believe in you. I do.

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