How Do You Define Career Fulfillment? Jennifer Gray Teaches Us to Refuel Our Tank

As women, we constantly juggle our careers, societal pressures and biases, and personal goals—often at the price of our well-being. What happens when our cups finally run dry, and we have nothing left to give? How do we bounce back and find renewed purpose to fuel us again? 

Jennifer Gray is a licensed counselor, coach, and educator who guides overwhelmed professionals to meaningful self-exploration and rediscovery. With a background in business consulting, she operates with a unique perspective that encourages clients to reclaim their confidence.

Here, Gray shares several tips for businesswomen to address burnout and unearth long-lasting career fulfillment.

1. How has your professional journey influenced your definition of career fulfillment? 

I started my early career in financial business consulting and support, so my clients hired me because they were extremely overwhelmed. Simply put, they were doing it all and didn’t want to any longer. They were stuck in what I call a goal-post mindset, which is the concept of always focusing on the next goal—and only then would they feel happy and fulfilled. The problem is that people’s goals constantly change, so fulfillment is always out of reach, eventually leading to workplace burnout. 

Now, I’m a therapist for professionals ready to create a space for what matters. I’ve taken many valuable lessons from my experiences, which are so different from therapy, and blended them into my current work. In business, I continue to see a lack of fulfillment. Redefining success has to be based on our values and what we want for the world. I enjoy utilizing different therapeutic methods to help my clients see more long-term, sustainable change.

2. What is an unhealthy narrative that career women internalize?

The more clinical term for struggling with unhealthy narratives is imposter syndrome. It’s this idea that whatever you’re doing is never good enough, so you decide to work extra hours. You take on more responsibilities than you can handle. You have minimal boundaries, and you’re unable to advocate for yourself. You believe you have nothing useful to say. You feel like clients, colleagues, and employers will always question how much you know. 

Imposter syndrome tells you you’re not as good as you think; it doesn’t matter how well you’ve done or what you achieved. This way of thinking causes so much stress because it’s always weighing on you and how you want to show up in the world.

3. How can women in business best combat their doubts and uncertainties?

Identifying your values is a personal discovery process. It isn’t always fun, but it effectively combats uncertainty. My first recommendation is mindfulness, but not just emotional awareness practices. I’m talking about intentional self-reflection, especially around your values, how you show up in the world, and whether your actions align with what feels good for you. It can be easy to go with the flow of life and follow societal expectations. But you must periodically ask yourself where you want to go.

Find your network of people who help you feel understood and seen; they help make unhelpful voices less powerful. Recognize what’s important to you and your community.

Ready to reroute your roadmap to success?

Trying to fulfill your career dreams through endless goal-setting isn’t sustainable. However, you can thrive when you firmly grasp your core values and determine the solutions you contribute to the world. 

At CCWomen, a community platform for women and allies, we provide a space where luminaries can share unique and impactful stories and empower one another as they step closer to their vision of success. 

We’d love to help you make your mark. 

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