Finding Meaning at Work: How to Align Your Career with Your Personal Values

“I Want My Work to Matter”: Aligning Career Choices with What You Truly Value

Whether you’re choosing your first job, making a midlife career pivot, or quietly questioning your path during a lunch break—many of us ask ourselves:
“Is this really what I want to do with my life?”

I found myself in an unfulfilling career for over 7 years. It was a great job to land after school, and it helped me pay off student debts. However, as I was climbing the corporate ladder, I felt dissatisfied and like I was lacking meaning in my work.

Sometimes, we feel stuck in jobs that pay the bills but drain our energy. In a world that often values hustle, status, and security over meaning, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters to you.

This blog is for anyone—young people just entering the workforce, or adults rethinking their path—who wants to make career choices that reflect their personal values. You’ll learn what personal values are, why they matter for career satisfaction and mental health, and how to start aligning your work with your deeper sense of purpose.

I hit a point in my career, where I was burnt out, experiencing Sunday Scaries, and waking up in panic many nights a week. I connected with a therapist who encouraged me to explore core values, which helped guide my path forward. I want to share this approach as you may find it helpful on your journey!

 

Why Personal Values Matter in Career Decisions

Personal values are the guiding beliefs that help you make decisions, prioritize your time, and live in alignment with what feels authentic.

They’re what you truly value at your core. Examples might include:

• Creativity
• Helping others
• Financial security
• Independence
• Collaboration
• Work-life balance
• Learning and growth

When your career choices reflect some of your values, you’re more likely to feel energized, motivated, and resilient. When there’s a mismatch, it can lead to stress, burnout, or a lingering sense of dissatisfaction—even if everything “looks good on the outside.” We don’t need all our values to align with work; however, it can make a difference to have most of them aligned.

A study published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior found that value congruence—when your job aligns with your values—is strongly associated with job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and overall well-being (Kristof-Brown et al., 2005).

Signs You’re Not Aligned with Your Values at Work

Here are a few signs that your current job or career path may not reflect your true values:

• You dread going to work, even after a weekend off.
• You feel like you’re living someone else’s version of success.
• Your job conflicts with your moral or ethical beliefs.
• You constantly daydream about “doing something different.”
• You feel emotionally drained, unmotivated, or unfulfilled—despite good pay or perks.

These feelings are valid. They’re also a signal, not a failure. They’re your inner compass nudging you to realign.

 

Step 1: Clarify Your Core Values

Before you can align your career with your values, you need to know what those values are.

Try This:

1. List 10 things that matter most to you in life (e.g., connection, freedom, integrity, stability, creativity, achievement).
2. Narrow it down to your top 5 values.
3. Reflect: Which of these are showing up in your current job? Which ones feel ignored or compromised?

If you’re not sure where to start, try the ACT Values Exercise.

Values can shift over time—what mattered at 22 may not be what matters at 42. That’s normal. Re-evaluating is a sign of growth. Exploring your values with a therapist, can help deepen your awareness and strengthen your perspective on the meaning of these values.

Step 2: Explore Careers That Match Your Values

Once you’ve clarified your core values, start asking:

• Which careers or roles embody these values?
• How could I bring more of these values into my current role?
• Are there small pivots I could make without a complete career change?

For example:

• If you value helping others, consider roles in healthcare, social services, teaching, or counseling.
• If you value independence, entrepreneurship or freelance work might be a good fit.
• If you value creativity, look into design, content creation, or innovation-focused roles.

Remember, you don’t always have to change jobs to realign. Sometimes, asking for a new project, changing departments, or setting clearer boundaries can bring your work closer to your values.

Step 3: Use Values to Make Career Decisions—Big or Small

Whether you’re deciding between job offers, thinking of going back to school, or contemplating a major pivot, use your values as a decision-making filter:

“Which option is most aligned with who I want to be?”

It’s easy to be tempted by status, salary, or job security. These are all important—but when they come at the expense of your core values, the cost may be your mental health.

Try this framework from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
Rather than asking “What’s the right job?”, ask:
“What kind of life do I want to build?”

Then make career moves that build toward that life—even if it takes time.

 

Addressing the Fear of Change

Aligning your career with your values can feel risky. What if it doesn’t work out? What if others don’t understand? What if I fail?

These fears are real—but they don’t have to define your choices.

Psychological research shows that people tend to regret inaction more than action in the long run (Gilovich & Medvec, 1995). That means it’s often the things we didn’t try that linger most.

Try reframing fear as a signal that you’re growing:

“It’s okay to be nervous. This matters to me.”

The Mental Health Benefits of Values-Based Living

When we live and work in alignment with our values, we tend to experience:

• Greater life satisfaction (Sagiv & Schwartz, 2000)
• Lower levels of depression and anxiety (Chase et al., 2013)
• Stronger resilience and motivation, even in tough seasons

It’s not that every day will be easy—but your efforts will feel meaningful. And meaning is one of the most powerful protectors of mental health.

Your Career Is a Chapter, Not a Life Sentence

Your job doesn’t have to be your identity. And it’s okay if your path looks different from what you expected—or what others hoped for you. What matters most is that your choices feel aligned with you. Whether you’re starting out, starting over, or simply starting to wonder—honouring your values is a brave and healing act.

Ready to explore your values and realign your career path? A therapist can help you clarify your priorities, manage self-doubt, and move forward with confidence. Reach out today to start the conversation.

 

 

Reviewed and edited by Hannah Packer RP (Registered Psychotherapist) at Finding Solutions Together.