I believe we are meant to love the work that we do. Most of us spend at least 1/3 of each work day focused on our job. That's a huge part of our life. Add in that a big part of another 1/3 is spent sleeping. If we don't love how we spend that 1/3 of our time, we're missing out on fully experiencing our best life.

In two different situations this week, people were sharing what they would tell their younger self so it got me thinking about what I would tell my 23-year-old self. Here are 5 things that I would tell my early career self:

What does working at the top of our license mean if we're not in a licensed profession?

🎯It means we need to assess ourselves, our skills, and the value we offer an organization when we focus on those things.

🎯It means that we're spending the bulk of our work efforts doing the work we are more uniquely qualified to do.

🎯It means that we're looking at ways to eliminate, reduce, automate, reduce, or delegate the work activities that are not using those higher-valued skills that add the most significant impact to the organization.

How would you define who you are right now, who you serve, and how you best serve them? Even if you are part of a bigger organization, these are still questions that you should challenge yourself to answer because you might be surprised at what you find.

How are you evolving as a professional?

If you are currently in a leadership role or led before – whether in a work organization or a community group – you raised your hand for the opportunity, or you were asked if you wanted this challenge. What made you express interest and say yes? Did you ever consider saying no?

In today’s world of automation where resumes often get screened first by technology vs. a person, it’s important to ensure that you are using words that really tell your story….what makes you different as an employee. Yes, you should look at what the job requirements are and tailor your resume appropriately, but I think the more important work starts earlier. It’s about identifying what value you add to any organization you join…what makes you special.

If you go with the conventional wisdom that you will do the best in a job that you're good at and that you enjoy and maybe love, it's really important to ensure you're regularly reflecting on whether your current position allows you to be your best. However, don't forget to pay attention to what's going on around you to ensure that you're not sticking with something that won't be there in a few years.