Beth M. is a Human Resources professional with extensive experience in talent planning, leadership and organizational development, operations, and diversity and inclusion. She also volunteers as a peer counselor at Empower Work, a free and confidential text hotline for work issues. 

What is “magic” at work? 

Sometimes “magic” is that feeling you had when you said “yes” to a new job, a new company, or a new promotion. Sometimes it’s the joy you felt when you had a major accomplishment or were able to support someone else with theirs. Sometimes it’s the excitement of something new and knowing that you’re going to do something you love, something that you have been working towards or dreaming about.

I started volunteering with Empower Work because I wanted to help people find their “magic” at work, whether it was gaining it back or helping them find it in the first place. People reach out to Empower Work when they’re struggling to decide what to do next and feeling stuck, confused, or uncertain—the list goes on.  

As a volunteer peer counselor I often support people who have just started a job or have been working at an organization for a long time and feel that something has changed. It may have been a gradual, subtle shift—or something more immediate—but the common thread is that something feels off. Maybe they have a new boss or team member they just don’t jive with; or that new job they were so excited about isn’t living up to expectations. 

It’s incredible to help people unpack those experiences and help them see that they do have a choice—and usually many! Upon further reflection, someone might decide that this rough patch is just temporary and they just want to ride it out. Other times they may want to proactively change their situation by having a conversation with their boss, exploring more professional development opportunities, or asking for a more flexible work schedule that meets their needs.  Ultimately, I get to help someone realize they can accept the change as it is or can choose to make their own changes. It’s all about what that “magic” looks like to you and what actions you want to take to get it. 

What can you do to find your “magic” at work?  

A trick I have learned and shared over the years is to interview yourself. It’s important to get crystal clear about what you want and what you need to feel empowered and supported in the workplace. No one else can tell you that answer. A self-interview can happen in a variety of ways. In a document, a reflective walk, or talking through these questions out loud with a friend, partner, coworker—or an Empower Work peer counselor.

Here are a few of my favorite questions, adapted from the book Love it Don't Leave It by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans:

• What about the job originally attracted me? Did something change? 

• What specifically about my job has made me jump out of bed in the morning and be excited to be going to work?

• What specifically about my job makes me hit the snooze button, dread going?

• If I could go back to any role that I held in the past and stay for an extended period of time, which one would it be and why?

• If I could wave a magic wand and change one thing about my work, department, or team, what would that be? What are some steps (big or small) I might be able to take to move toward that goal? Does this feel attainable? 

These questions can help you reflect on what you need to thrive at work, and how you might go about finding or bringing back that coveted magical feeling at your job!