Lifestyle
Career: When Work Becomes Torture and the Search for Purpose
Understand why professional frustration is common and how to rediscover passion for what you do.
Many women face frustration at work, feeling disconnected from their purpose. This article, based on the Donas da Voz podcast, explores the causes and offers practical advice to overcome professional dissatisfaction and achieve fulfillment. Discover how self-knowledge and the courage to change can transform your journey.
In episode #032 of Donas da Voz, host Livia Matos welcomes specialists Claudia Lisboa, a leader mentor and therapist, and Andreza Thans, a neuropsychologist and trauma specialist, for a transformative chat on a very common topic: frustration at work. Inspired by a listener's letter describing her professional journey as "torture" and an unfruitful search for meaning, they delve into the roots of dissatisfaction, the impacts on mental health, and the paths to rediscover joy and career purpose.
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The Roots of Professional Dissatisfaction
The feeling of disconnection and emptiness at work is a challenge many women face. Data from the Gallup Institute reveals that about 75% of people feel disengaged from their roles, a startling number that reflects a painful reality. Claudia Lisboa points out that this dissatisfaction often starts early, with career choices made in adolescence. At 16 or 17, without self-knowledge or maturity, young people are often influenced by parents or society to pursue professions considered “successful” (law, engineering, medicine), often projecting family expectations onto their children.
This pressure ignores an individual's genuine skills and talents. As Andreza Thans highlights, historically, large families would “employ” their children, perpetuating a cycle where professional choice was imposed. The result? A disconnection from one's true self, leading to a role that doesn't reflect the person's essence. “They start living disconnected from themselves, and when they reach adulthood, they find themselves lost,” Andreza states.
Impacts on Mental Health and the New Generation
The lack of alignment between a professional and their purpose has serious consequences for mental health. Burnout, depression, and anxiety are increasingly common among those who feel trapped in unsatisfying careers. Andreza Thans notes that patients arrive at her clinic with severe emotional disorders, often having ignored signs of discomfort for years. The worst thing is to “work because I have bills to pay,” as this leads to emotional problems being pushed aside until they become much larger issues.
The good news, according to Claudia Lisboa, is that new generations (like Generation Z) have a different mindset. They don't just want to survive; they want to be happy working. “Work is part of the integral self. There isn't one person who works and another who goes home. We are integral beings,” Claudia emphasizes. This challenges older managers and highlights the importance of a work environment that promotes well-being.
Self-Knowledge and Career Dynamics
It's never too late to change and seek what truly makes you happy. Livia Matos shares her own experience of career crisis and how self-knowledge was crucial. The job market is constantly evolving, and the idea of a single career for life is outdated. Studies indicate that people can have up to three different careers throughout their lives.
The secret, as Claudia explains, is to understand your behavioral profile. If you spend 70% of your time doing what you love and 30% not, you're in the right place. The importance of true leaders who value and empower their collaborators, in contrast to toxic “bosses,” is also highlighted. Andreza Thans reinforces the idea that an authentic life happens amidst inconsistency: “It's extremely important that we take several pauses in our lives to ask ourselves: 'Am I in the right place? Is what I'm doing really what I enjoy?'”
Practical Paths to Transformation
For those who feel caught in “professional torture,” the specialists offer tips:
- Seek help: A therapeutic process, a coach, or a mentor can be the first step.
- Observe the signs: The body signals discomfort before the mind does. Small signs of sadness or tachycardia when thinking about work are warnings. A good indicator is Sunday: if it brings you sadness due to Monday's proximity, it might be a sign.
- Self-knowledge: Go back to adolescence, a period when your gifts and purposes were bubbling, as Simon Sinek suggests. Identify your interests, hobbies, and what captured your attention. Tools like the behavioral profile assessment from Soul Academy can help inventory your skills and successful behaviors.
- Change calmly: Don't leave your job impulsively. Explore other areas within the same company, seek flexibility, or review your role before making a drastic decision.
- "Shift into reverse": Sometimes, you need to change direction. “It's never too late for me to stop, shift my little Beetle into reverse, and say: 'I'm going to take another route',” Andreza states.
The central message of Donas da Voz is empowerment: don't be afraid to be unhappy. Recognizing dissatisfaction is the first step toward change. Remember, you are not alone on this journey. The Donas da Voz community is here to support and inspire you to pursue a career that not only pays the bills but also brings joy, purpose, and fulfillment. Take the first step towards your transformation!
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