Career Refresh Digest #26
Welcome to the first anniversary edition of the Career Refresh Digest! It’s been a full year since I began writing this fortnightly newsletter, and judging by how many people are reading each edition, it’s been well worth it.
The goal has always been simple: to share practical insights that help you take charge of your career and wellbeing, and keep your work-life balance in check.
As readership grows, I want to make sure Career Refresh Digest continues to be genuinely useful. What have you found most helpful so far, or what would you like to see more of? Please hit reply and let me know.
To mark the first year, I’ve included articles that reflect one of the most common themes I see in my coaching sessions and conversations: values misalignment.
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WORTH THINKING ABOUT
Values alignment matters more than most realise - it's not just a nice to have
Our mental health and overall wellbeing often reflect how well our work aligns with our values.
In the thousands of hours I’ve spent talking with people about their work lives, the issue that affects wellbeing most consistently is a conflict of values. It’s not always obvious at the time – but once we clarify what truly matters at work, people can often trace their dissatisfaction back to a values clash. Many recall leaving a role with no job to go to, and only later recognise that misalignment as the real reason.
Recent results from my Career Wellbeing Quiz reflects the patterns I see in my coaching. Of more than 550 people who’ve completed it:
only 1 in 5 said their work felt aligned to their values or to their organisation’s purpose, and
only 24% felt they were making a meaningful contribution through their work.
It’s a reminder that misalignment isn’t rare. It’s one of the most common reasons people start questioning their work. Understanding your own values gives you a reference point to recognise when something isn’t a good fit, and the clarity to decide what needs to change.
Even if you’re not consciously aware of them, your values are always operating in the background. The earlier you notice when something is out of step, the easier it is to make choices that support your motivation and energy long term.
If you think you already know your values but aren’t completely sure, recall a time when one of them was challenged. The strength of your response will tell you how much that value matters to you.
You might like to take a moment this week to consider what it would mean if your values guided every important work decision.
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WORTH DOING
A short exercise to help you reflect on values
Results from my Career Wellbeing Quiz also showed that only 42% of respondents could clearly articulate their values.
If you’d like to start exploring yours, try jotting down a few thoughts on these prompts:
Which moments at work have felt most energising or satisfying lately?
What do they reveal about what you value?
Where have you noticed friction, frustration, or tension? What might that suggest about a value being compromised?
Looking ahead, which values do you most want your work to reflect?
If you want to go deeper into identifying your values and understanding how they can help inform your work choices, I’m developing a new Values App that will make this exploration more interactive. I'll also be offering a one-off Values Debrief session for those who’d like expert insight into their results without committing to the full coaching programme. Watch this space! I’ll share more about both in a future edition of the Career Refresh Digest.
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WORTH REFLECTING ON
When values clarity leads to change
What would you do differently if you were absolutely clear on what drives you?
For my past client Martin, that clarity led to some bold choices. Once he recognised that adventure and variety were essential to how he works best, he had the confidence to step away from corporate life, try contracting, and eventually buy his own business – a direction he hadn’t imagined before.
“The clarity that comes with understanding my values and drivers has made it easier to look for opportunities that will fulfil me and allow me to do the best for my family and community.”
You can read Martin’s full career transformation story here: From Corporate Role to Business Owner: Clarity on Values Made It Possible
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If you've been noticing friction or dissatisfaction at work but can't quite identify the source, a 15-minute conversation is a good place to start. Book a free call here.
- Lucy
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ABOUT THE CAREER REFRESH DIGEST
The Career Refresh Digest is a fortnightly newsletter for mid-career professionals who feel stuck or out of step with their work. Each issue shares practical insights and tools to help you reset direction, make clearer decisions, and reshape your work to better fit your life – drawing on recommendations, research, and insights from client work.