by Sharon Fleshman
Career decision-making, the job search, and even starting a new job can be a bit overwhelming, so making room for replenishing is a great habit to start (or strengthen). To that end, here are three questions to ask yourself as you move toward your next semester or phase of life:
Who and what brings me positive energy and joy?
Answering this question is a good way to make sure that you can be intentional about including life-giving people and activities in your day-to-day life. It can also give you clues for finding a good career fit.
What am I noticing about myself right now?
This question can help you to assess how you are feeling and showing up. Any concerns about what you notice can pave the way for helpful interventions, whether quick ones such as deep breathing or calling a friend, or more long-term ones such as attending a mindfulness program or counseling. Don’t forget to take the time to notice and celebrate the positive as well.
What is my strategy for self-care?
Even with the most rewarding work, having a plan for replenishing is necessary. Self-care can encompass many areas of your life (e.g., physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, etc.) so you will want to be holistic in your strategy.
Feel free to connect with a Career Services advisor to discuss how your answers to these questions relate to your job search or other career planning activities. We also have a list of self-management and personal wellness reflection questions on our website.
Here are some additional resources to check out:
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction/CAPS
Weingarten Learning Resources Center
