Identify Your Motivators to Clarify Your Priorities

I have had a week of bad news. On top of the tragedies that have happened in our nation this week, I have learned a relative I love very much is terminally ill and that someone I am close to is on the verge of a divorce that will impact two young children. It has been a week where I have felt the need to evaluate my personal priorities.

You don't need to wait for a week of bad news in order to define your motivators and evaluate the priorities in your career. Most people have more than one motivating factor. However, evaluate these five motivators and rank them in order. It is a good idea to know what motivates you in order to ensure your decisions - both every day and momentous decisions - align with those priorities.

Challenge
Challenge can be defined as being engaged, having your abilities stretched, and being constantly tested. If challenge is your number one motivator, it is important to you that you are never bored. The person who selects challenge as their top priority is someone who is valued for their ability to learn quickly, think on their feet, and make a significant contribution to a team. This person will become bored, unhappy, and unproductive if they have to do menial or repetitive tasks as part of their career.

Location
The person who selects location as their top priority has very particular preferences about where they work. It may relate to an inside or outside work environment, or it may be about what part of the country or world in which you work. Travel - and how often they have to be away from home - may also be a factor to the person who selects this as their top priority.

Advancement
Advancement also means many different things to different people. It could be about recognition, status, or climbing the corporate ladder. However, advancement can also be seen as growing and developing a skill set or becoming an expert in your field. This priority can definitely impact the size and status of the company where you choose to work.

Money
We all have bills to pay and different ideas of how much it takes to maintain their desired standard of living. Before you make a career decision, it is important that you define your personal financial requirements. Even if money is not your number one motivator, it is still important to make this determination so you can make decisions that support your needs.

Security
Job security refers to your need for familiarity and could possibly be about how feel in regards to change. When a job is predictable and familiar, some people feel stifled. However, if this is your top priority, you feel comfortable and secure in that situation. Your need for security, and where it falls on your list of priorities will likely change as your life situation changes.