Soul Survival

When considering a job, how much time do you spend thinking about your values? If you're like most people not much time at all. True, just about everyone is concerned about money. Some people consider whether a company has opportunities for advancement.

But what about the things that make us feel good about our job? And by extension ourselves? The intangibles, things that are difficult to define and even trickier to measure. These are our values. And they are different for everyone.

Some people feel fulfilled when helping others. Others need the opportunity to work independently. Still others become frustrated when their job doesn't allow them to be creative. The key is identifying your values.

Few people find a job that satisfies them completely. Trying to find the perfect job is like trying to find the perfect mate. You need to know where you are willing to compromise and, maybe more importantly, where you are not.

Try this exercise to discover what matters to you.