QUIZ

QUIZ: IS YOUR WORK LEADING YOU TO THE LIFE THAT YOU WANT?

We focus on the success, recognition and money we want to get in our work. We define big goals we want to achieve, we create action plans. But we often forget other elements that are necessary for us to be successful, and to feel really happy with our life.

Try this short quiz

This is brief self-assessment to help you get more clarity and consider your work from a different angle. Maybe it’s just a matter of changing a few things so you can enjoy your work and life better, or maybe it’s time to look for a new job, or a new career altogether.

1. After a long day at work, I feel:

a) Happy and with a great feeling of accomplishment
b) Ok but a bit tired
c) Exhausted
d) Resentful and frustrated

2. After a long day at work I want to:

a) Relax nicely alone or with friends
b) Do something exciting
c) Do something I enjoy, finally
d) Seek comfort in food, drinks or similar

3. If a good friend of mine asks me about my work I answer:

a) Work is great! I’ve just successfully completed an exciting project
b) Ok. You should hear about this thing I heard!…
c) Same as usual. What about yours?
d) Don’t ask me about it. I’m really fed up.

4. The relationship with my boss is

a) Great. My boss believes in me, supports me, speaks highly of me.
b) Ok.
c) Not so good. There is no real communication between us.
d) Awful. He treats me with no respect at all.

5. The working environment is

a) Fantastic. We are a great team and most of us get along well.
b) Ok, I can’t complain.
c) Boring. Most people mind their own work.
d) Stressful, cold and unsupportive.

6. My results at work are

a) Excellent. I’m very satisfied.
b) Good. Most times I’m happy with them, sometimes not really.
c) Average. I guess I could do better.
d) Poor, even though I work really hard.

7. My work receives recognition

a) Always. By my boss, my company, my colleagues and clients
b) Sometimes, either by my boss, or by my clients
c) Not as much as I’d like
d) No recognition at all

8. In my work I can express myself, my passion and my talents

a) Always
b) Often
c) Seldom
d) Never

9. Considering my skills, experience, commitment and time I put in my work, the money that I earn:

a) totally meets or even exceeds my expectations
b) is ok
c) should be more
d) is definitely not enough

10. In order to achieve my professional goals

a) I have  created a clear plan and structure, I receive support from my family, friends, a coach.
b) I know what I want to achieve, and have a rough idea of how to get there.
c) I have attended some courses and done a few things, but I have not planned anything for the next future
d) I wait for something interesting to come up

11. My level of satisfaction with the time I spend with my family and friends is…

a) High. I see them regularly and enjoy spending time with them.
b) Medium. I manage to see them often and enjoy spending time with them.
c) Low. I hardly have time to spend time with my family and friends and I’m mostly stressed.
d) Zero. I feel quite lonely.

12. In order to keep myself fit and healthy I

a) Take regular exercise, eat balanced meals
b) Do sports once a week, often eat balanced meals
c) Exercise once in a while, eat canned or preserved food
d) Don’t do much. Hardly any exercise, eat fast food.

13. I take time just for myself

a) Everyday, even if it is something little.
b) One or two times a week.
c) Once a month or so.
d) Hardly. I don’t remember the last time I took some time just for myself.

14. I have a vision of myself in 5 years from now and I see myself

a) Happy, fulfilled and relaxed
b) Feeling ok, older than now
c) Tired and not really happy
d) I do not manage to see myself in 5 years from now.

OUTCOME

The following descriptions are not meant to say “Your work is right or wrong for you”. Please just take them as an  opportunity to observe your current personal and professional life. Look at the areas where you did not score as you would have liked it: What could you do to change it?

Mostly a’s

Congratulations! It sounds like you really have the job and life that you want, or you know how to get there. You are passionate, motivated and literally thriving! You add big value to your organization. You are happy with your personal life as well. How will you make sure to keep your spirits fresh and maintain this enthusiasm and energy?

What are your answers telling you about you, your current job and your life?

Here are a couple of things you could do now.

Mostly b’s

You’re more or less happy with your work, even though you would like more, be it recognition, be it money, be it time for other things that are important to you. You have a rough idea of what you want, but so far you do not really manage to get there. What would help you get closer to the work and life you want? More exciting or challenging assignments? A position at higher level, in your current company or somewhere else? What would your ideal job and life look like?

What are your answers telling you about you, your current job and your life?

Here are a couple of things you could do now.

Mostly c’s

It sounds like your work and life are quite out of balance. Maybe you struggle to succeed, but for some reason you do not get the results you expect. What is really important in your life?  What is missing? Would a different job help meet your talents, current life situation and future goals better?

What are your answers telling you about you, your current job and your life?

Here are a couple of things you could do now.

Mostly d’s

It seems like you are totally unhappy with your current work, or with life in general. What have you given up? What would it mean to you to create some space for what is really important to you? What little step could you take to do it? Very often, besides external circumstances that may affect our life, what really matters is our mindset. What is preventing you from believing that you can succeed in achieving the work and life you want?

What are your answers telling you about you, your current job and your life?

Here are a couple of things you could do now.