Life with Marianna: Unlock Career Fulfillment with Megan Hellerer
Episode Released on November 19, 2024
Introduction
In this insightful episode of Life with Marianna, host Marianna Hewitt welcomes Megan Hellerer, a holistic career coach and former Google employee, to discuss strategies for unlocking career fulfillment. Megan delves into finding one's career path, aligning professional choices with the true self, and embracing a philosophy she terms "directional thinking." This conversation offers valuable guidance for anyone seeking deeper satisfaction and purpose in their professional lives.
Megan Hellerer’s Background and Career Transition
Megan shares her personal journey from a successful career at Google to becoming a holistic career coach. Despite her accomplishments, Megan experienced profound unfulfillment and mental health challenges, including severe depression and anxiety, which prompted her to reevaluate her career path.
Megan [01:09]: "I was severely depressed. I was having trouble getting out of bed in the morning, I was having almost daily panic attacks. I was really anxious... I had a sense that this wasn't me."
This turning point led Megan to realize that her career at Google did not align with her authentic self, sparking her transition into career coaching to help others navigate similar challenges.
Signs of Career Unfulfillment
Megan emphasizes that signs of unfulfillment manifest differently for each individual but often include mental health struggles and a persistent inner voice signaling misalignment with one's current career path.
Megan [01:45]: "That was a felt sense that this was not aligned and this wasn't sort of on purpose for me."
Recognizing these signs early can prevent prolonged dissatisfaction and encourage timely career adjustments.
Differentiating Temporary Feelings from Long-term Dissatisfaction
The conversation addresses how to distinguish between temporary challenges and long-term career dissatisfaction. Megan advises against making hasty decisions based on fleeting discomfort, advocating instead for thoughtful assessment and incremental changes.
Megan [02:55]: "We definitely need to learn more and get more information from that... I would advocate... looking at what could be a smaller fix for it."
By experimenting with minor adjustments—such as changing teams or roles within a company—individuals can identify specific factors contributing to their dissatisfaction without making drastic life changes.
Inner Navigation System and Directional Thinking
A central theme of the episode is the concept of the Inner Navigation System, which comprises the True Self and the Fear Self. Megan introduces Directional Thinking as a method to align career decisions with one's authentic self rather than fixed destinations.
Megan [04:55]: "We're only thinking about the next step in front of you. If you're using a GPS system in your car, it doesn't care whether you're going five miles or five thousand miles."
This approach encourages flexibility and responsiveness to changing circumstances, allowing individuals to adapt their career paths dynamically.
Daily Practices for Alignment and Fulfillment
Megan outlines practical daily practices to stay aligned with one's true self, including:
- Inner Navigation System Calibration: Comparing experiences that resonate positively (True Self) versus negatively (Fear Self) to fine-tune decision-making.
- Small Decision Making: Starting with low-stakes choices to build awareness and trust in one's intuition.
Megan [04:55]: "Does this feel like my true self or my fear self... We always want to go where it is warm."
These practices help individuals recognize patterns over time, fostering a cumulative sense of fulfillment and alignment with their career paths.
Overcoming Fear and Taking Action
Addressing fear as a significant barrier, Megan introduces several strategies to overcome apprehensions about career changes:
- Fear Flowchart: Breaking down fears into manageable steps to demystify and reduce anxiety.
- Aligned Action Formula: A five-step process to move from idea to action, ensuring that each step aligns with one's true self.
Megan [18:15]: "What happens if I start a podcast and it goes terribly? We're jumping all the way to that end result of basically dying alone."
By methodically addressing fears, individuals can take confident, aligned actions toward their career goals without being paralyzed by potential negative outcomes.
Directional Living in Career Changes
Megan distinguishes between Directional Living and Destinational Living. While the latter focuses on a fixed endpoint, the former prioritizes ongoing alignment with one's true self, allowing for adaptability and resilience in the face of obstacles.
Megan [26:57]: "We can be responsive to our internal and external environment... Directional living allows us to be so much more flexible and adaptable."
This philosophy empowers individuals to pursue their career aspirations without being constrained by rigid plans, fostering a more fulfilling and sustainable professional journey.
Conclusion
Megan Hellerer's insights offer a transformative approach to career fulfillment, emphasizing self-alignment, mindful decision-making, and adaptability. Her strategies provide a roadmap for navigating career transitions with authenticity and purpose, making this episode a valuable resource for anyone seeking deeper satisfaction in their professional lives.
Megan [31:28]: "This book is for those people where you are an overachiever, but you're under fulfilled... directional living is the way out of that."
Listeners are encouraged to explore Megan's book for a more comprehensive guide on achieving career fulfillment through directional living.
Notable Quotes
- Megan [01:09]: "I was severely depressed. I was having trouble getting out of bed in the morning, I was having almost daily panic attacks."
- Megan [04:55]: "We always want to go where it is warm."
- Megan [18:15]: "We're jumping all the way to that end result of basically dying alone."
- Megan [26:57]: "Directional living allows us to be so much more flexible and adaptable."
- Megan [31:28]: "Directional living is the way out of that."
This episode of Life with Marianna provides actionable strategies and profound insights into achieving career fulfillment. By embracing directional thinking and aligning professional choices with the true self, listeners can embark on a more satisfying and purpose-driven career path.