With today’s hectic lifestyle, it is still possible to create a life that supports both a successful career and a joyful life. When we establish a harmonious balance between our personal, financial and career goals we find that each aspect supports and sustains the other.  A prominent coach and author, Vance Caesar, has identified seven commonalities among people who have successful careers and joy-filled lives. These are:

1. A life purpose they can articulate
2. Life goals that they always keep in mind
3. Meaningful work
4. Association with energy-giving people
5. Beliefs that create joy at work
6. Review, renew and recommit
7. Discipline

When you have a life purpose written down as a personal mission statement you have something to compare your daily activities to. Are your actions congruent with your mission in life? Knowing what your life’s purpose is will help you stay focused on activities that matter the most to you. And will help you decide what activities not to engage in.

To help identify your life goals for the next 12 months, 5 years, and every 10 years throughout your remaining life span, consider thoughtful answers to the following questions and write them down:

What do you want to feel? (Successful, significant, loved, happy, proud?) Choose concepts that have emotional impact for you.

What do you want to do? (Have a family, go to school, travel)  Write down the things that are important to you.

What do you want to own? (Expensive house, thriving business, great reputation) Tap into your imagination to come up with possibilities that reflect your deepest desires.

What do you want to contribute? (Volunteer at charities, donate to worthy causes, be an inspiration to kids) What might your legacy be?

Notice that these four questions focus on what you want to do rather on what you should do.  Prioritize your wants so that you can make progress toward achieving some in the next year.  Adjust you plans to eliminate any conflicts between your personal, financial and career goals.

Doing meaningful work that daily moves you closer to achieving your life goals and is in alignment with your purpose, is the third step towards creating a joy-filled career. Meaningfulness is found in the way you experience your work. Where do you find meaning in your daily activities?

You will need a plan to associate with energy-giving people. Some people take energy from you, while others give you energy.  Often you have the choice with whom you spend your time. However, circumstances may limit your freedom to choose who you associate with, which means you’ll need diplomacy and persistence to protect your energy from being drained away.

You also need to examine your beliefs about your work.  Our beliefs have a lot of power in determining how we feel and act.  The more hopeful, positive, and optimistic our belief system, the greater the probability that we will be energized and joyful. What can you do to increase your energizing beliefs?

It is important to review, renew and recommit to the life, work, relationships, and beliefs that you really want. Constantly review what’s working and what’s not. Spend some time every month where you consider where you are in your life and what you are actually doing, and compare this to your purpose and goals. Write down any alterations you might want to make in the next month. Then review them, renew your inspiration, and recommit to the discipline of carrying out your top choices.

It takes discipline to get into and stay in a joyful place in life.  Often discipline is enhanced by having a coach help you hold yourself accountable or by sharing your purpose and goals with family members and friends. Choose some means to help you maintain the level of discipline you know will support a joyful life.

Helen Selenati is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Coach. She has a private practice in Redwood City and can be reached at helen@selenati.com or by calling 650-596-0807. Also visit www.selenati.com