recommendation
Meaning & purpose

The 4 Types of Careers, and How to Find Yours

Arthur Brooks
44:16
Watch

Listen to this article
0:00 / 0:00

Many people think a successful career moves in a straight line, always upward and forward. But life isn’t that neat. There are actually four different career paths, and which one is best for you depends on your individual psychology.

In this episode of Office Hours, I talk about why the happiest people are those whose work reflects their values and stage of life, not someone else’s idea of success. We’ll look at what happens to happiness when we change jobs, why satisfaction almost always drops after the honeymoon period, and how our mindset shapes what comes next. I’ll also share four rules for making a good job change that can help you find greater alignment, satisfaction, and peace of mind in your work.

Sign up for our newsletter and receive resources to help you on your journey of discovering deeper meaning, purpose and lasting joy.  

Thank you for subscribing.

Watch your inbox, we’ve got some encouragement coming your way.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form, please refresh and try again.
Related resources
Watch
recommendation
Man's Search for Meaning Summary
In the face of darkness, what can we hold to?
Listen
recommendation
David Brooks: Perception Is an Act of Creation
Do you ever feel like you aren't experiencing life to the fullest?
14:52
Watch
recommendation
The Science of Happiness in 15 minutes
The pursuit of happiness in today's world
5:49
Watch
recommendation
You Need to Be Bored. Here's Why.
Boredom isn’t a bug—it’s a feature.
Read
recommendation
What Makes You Busy? A Practice of Living What You Value
The tension of desiring to live a certain way and not being able to apply it.
4 min
Watch
recommendation
Who and What is Informing your Decisions?
A conversation with a psychologist
Read
recommendation
Uncovering Meaning
How do I know what I'm made for?
Read
recommendation
Why My Career Still Doesn’t Feel Like Enough
Am I valuable? Successful? Can work even answer these questions?
3:31
Watch
recommendation
Authenticity Starts With Knowing Your Why
Clarity in why you do what you do.
2:47
Watch
recommendation
Can Work Make You Happy? Should It?
The surprising areas of work that actually lead to happiness.
11
Watch
recommendation
Self-Actualization is Not the Goal
Viktor Frankl's research on our pursuit of happiness.
1:36
Watch
recommendation
What is Fulfillment?
An observation of the things we believe will fulfill us.