The Career Analyzer is a tool adapted from Tal Ben-Shahar’s work.
The way to use it is simple.
First: consider how much you enjoy your job in the present and think about how high or low it should be on the vertical access (present enjoyment scale).
Second: think about how well this job will pay off in the future and mark where that should be on the top horizontal access (future benefit scale). Then look at where these two points would intersect on the graph and figure what kind of role you are in.
Explanation of the boxes
High Present Enjoyment,
Low Future Benefit
(Ski/Surf Bums)
We all know this guy. My friend who did this for a while graduated from one of the best colleges in the country then went off to be a ski bum for a while. He got bored with it and now does something he enjoys but still isn’t leading anywhere. When you like what you do (maybe really like it) but know that it isn’t going to turn into much more than it is today, you are here.
High Present Enjoyment,
High Future Benefit
(Live Your Passion)
Now this is the good stuff, and frankly I only know a few people who find themselves here. You are doing something you love, you enjoy the journey of the day to day, and you know that in the future it will pay off for you and your family. This is where we want to get you, and frequently our goal if we are working together.
Low Present Enjoyment,
Low Future Enjoyment
(Dead End Job)
This is the dreaded role. You hate getting up in the morning, work for the weekends, and can see this isn’t going anywhere. If only you could find a better job…
Low Present Enjoyment,
High Future Benefit
(Rat Race)
This is where a great deal of us live. When you find yourself in a role because it offers great pay, a good retirement package, and potentially is very lucrative as you rise through the career ranks, you are here. This is the place where you keep telling yourself, “if I just do this 10 or so more years I will be able to retire and do what I really want to do…” It is really easy to get trapped here, it is almost what our society expects… but at least you drive a nice car (or will)!
“Okay, I’m in the Rat Race. Now what?”
Step one is to keep practicing the exercises you experienced in the 10 days to a better job course. Those exercises will help you enjoy the day to day more.
If that doesn’t work, it may be time to start considering other options. Consider talking to people in various careers and see what might be a better fit for you than what you do today.