29. Finding Job Joy with Kristen Zavo

In this conversation, Kristen and I discuss the concept of tending to the gardens of our lives, particularly in relation to our careers. We explore the idea that our careers are a foundational aspect of our lives and should be tended to with intentionality and awareness. We emphasize the importance of self-care, self-awareness, and self-responsibility in preventing burnout and finding fulfillment in our work. We also discuss the integration of entrepreneurial pursuits into our careers and the importance of aligning our work with our values and priorities.We highlight the importance of taking ownership of our careers and making intentional choices. We also talk about the value of sharing salary information and career goals with others. Our conversation underscores the significance of finding a win-win situation in our careers and not waiting until retirement to be happy. Kristen shares her love for nature and simple pleasures as sources of joy and inspiration.Takeaways* Our careers are a foundational aspect of our lives and should be tended to with intentionality and awareness.* Self-care, self-awareness, and self-responsibility are key in preventing burnout and finding fulfillment in our work.* Entrepreneurial pursuits can be integrated into our careers and should be aligned with our values and priorities.* Regular check-ins and networking are important for career maintenance and growth.* It is important to discern between external expectations and self-imposed rules in our careers. Take ownership of your career and make intentional choices.* Share salary information and career goals with others to gain a better understanding of what is possible.* Strive for a win-win situation in your career, where your goals align with the goals of your organization.* Find joy and inspiration in nature and simple pleasures.* Don't wait until retirement to be happy; live your life now.Connect with Nicole: WebsiteInstagramConnect with Kristen: WebsiteJob JoyInstagram YouTubeKristen Zavo is an Executive + Job Search Coach, Keynote Speaker, and the Best-Selling author of Job Joy: Your Guide to Success, Meaning, and Happiness in Your Career. She is on a mission to help high achievers build careers + businesses they absolutely love - and support their organizations in helping them thrive and perform at their best.Before launching her coaching practice, she spent nearly two decades in traditional corporate jobs, including time in investment banking and financial consulting, working for some of the top Fortune 500 companies such as Lehman Brothers, NBC and Luxottica.Kristen earned her MBA in Finance and BS in Marketing and Psychology, summa cum laude, from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. She is also a Certified, Trauma-Informed Life Coach and Breathwork Facilitator. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune Magazine, The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Real Simple, The Muse, and more – as well as on podcasts and stages covering career, success and finding life’s purpose.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:25 Tending to the Gardens of Our Lives: The Importance of Career04:25 Preventing Burnout and Finding Fulfillment in Our Work09:39 Career Maintenance and Growth: Regular Check-ins and Networking13:12 Discerning External Expectations and Self-Imposed Rules in Our Careers22:41 The Value of Sharing: Salary Information and Career Goals25:18 Striving for a Win-Win: Aligning Personal and Organizational Goals28:34 Finding Joy in Nature and Simple Pleasures33:38 Living Your Life Now: Don't Wait Until Retirement to Be HappyKeywords: career, tending to the garden, self-care, self-awareness, self-responsibility, burnout, fulfillment, entrepreneurial pursuits, integration, career, tending, joy, ownership, salary, goals, win-win, retirement, nature, simple pleasures This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit soulbloom.substack.com