Career & Professional Development
GIVING A SHOUT OUT TO…
Parents who survived working full-time and trying to help their kids at home while also schooling remotely, dealing with their own stress and losses, and not quitting.
AND
Mental health clinicians including therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and others that had their own personal stuff going on with the pandemic and yet, became the unseen helpers to help others navigate this difficult season.
These two groups many times were overlooked because they were the behind the scenes helpers, getting “it” done and making a difference in the lives around them, selflessly for the greater good.
I see you and you get my shout out! Thank you!
WHAT I’M CURRENTLY THINKING ABOUT…
As things start opening up, we are now evaluating should we be doing something different? We never thought the whole world would shut down and yet it just did. Let’s use this season to evaluate our career path forward.
Career evaluation normally comes out of some reaction to feelings such as pain, anxiety, frustration, boredom or exhaustion. It could also come from tough circumstances like being passed up on a promotion, not enjoying one’s manager, or a toxic work environment. These feelings spark internal questions like: Is there something more out there? Why do I not feel appreciated or unseen? Should I be doing something else? Do any of these resonate with you?
Sometimes these internal thoughts seem too big or hard to attain. Discouragement sinks in and keeps us stuck, rationalizing the current situation, and as a result, we stay put without changing. My encouragement to you is to work through those feelings, and work towards small steps for a new future.
REFERENCES, RESOURCES & READING…
The Ikigai is a Japanese concept for the “reason for being” and there are some neat diagrams on the internet that you can find by googling “Ikigai” and looking at the “images” tabs. My favorite one is the diagram with the feelings incorporated in it.
This model helps you think about…
What am I good at?
What do I love to do?
What can I do to help the world?
What can I be paid for?
Identify small steps and start to take an active role in making changes towards your intentional future.
Also, I love StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath. This came as a recommendation from one of my mentor’s during a time of burnout and distress at work. Now I know how to incorporate my strengths in any job that I am in to increase my job satisfaction. Use this in your own career to identify what you are good at and love.
SOMETHING NEW I LEARNED…
During this time of unrest, I think it is good to learn about different cultures and experiences. I have been reading Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho, Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong and Beautiful Things: A Memoir of Hunter Biden. This helps me learn and emphasize with those in the Black, Asian and Addiction communities.
DARING GREATLY…
I have three dares for you…
Seek your Ikigai and reason for being. That is the path that I am on and am almost there. Each career step can teach me something as I navigate towards this path. Take one step at a time and enjoy the journey along the way.
Learn about other’s pain, perspectives, and struggles. Maybe be bold enough to read about those who you struggle with the most. Learn about them, get into their shoes, build bridges, and create empathy.
Seek a team around you. We can’t do this alone. Who can mentor you? Who can you mentor? Who can you thank in your own life? A big thank you to the many who have mentored and poured into me. I am forever grateful.
IS ANYBODY ELSE EXCITED ABOUT…
Faith and prayer are a key part of my life and I love to see how God opens doors and guides me on this journey. My Ikigai is for helping marriages with mental health and addiction challenges. This is a community that I want to help and am making strides to do so. Also, as I am on this journey moving towards this, God has opened a door where I am the Mental Health & Wellness Director at Kaiser Permanente. It is so fun to be in this role and be able to help improve the experience for members, patients and customers with their mental health and addiction care. Are you excited about finding your Ikigai?
Key questions to ponder for your own life as a STRIDE reader:
What is your Ikigai?
What is your next step today to get there?
Who can you appreciate or thank who has helped your career journey?
Who do you need help from on your career journey today?
About The Author
Erin Ramachandran is a Mental Health & Wellness Program Director at Kaiser Permanente. She holds a master’s degree in Health Care Administration, is a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor and an award-winning author of Mental Health Strong, a Christian’s Guide to Walking Resiliently Alongside Your Spouse with a Mental Health Condition. She has worked for over seventeen years in the health insurance industry in a variety of program leadership roles including the most recent one in mental healthcare. Outside of work, Erin enjoys traveling, swimming, mentoring, watching movies, and speaking on matters pertaining to mental health, marriage, and faith. She lives with her husband, Keith, in Southern California and they have been married for over 13 years. Together they have founded the non-profit, Mental Health Strong to bring hope to marriages with mental health or addiction challenges.
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