How Do You Know It's the Right Job?

Knowing it's the right job may not be as obvious as you think. This pertains to the job you are in, interviewing for or dreaming about. There is more to job satisfaction than salary, benefits, commute time, physical environment and working in your field of interest. Why is it that many people give high marks to these factors and are unhappy and unfulfilled?

Neuroscience provides the insights and solutions to finding and succeeding in the right job. The alignment of how your brain is wired with the "neuro-signatures" of the job is a big factor in long term job satisfaction. The key to job pleasure is passionately engaging with interests aligned with your brain strengths. Misalignment will ultimately cause frustration, loss of interest, low productivity and work related mistakes and accidents.

Every brain is "wired" differently based on genetics, learning and experience.

Sensory information enters through your five senses: sight (Visual), touch/movement (Kinesthetic), sound (Auditory), smell and taste. Sensory mode sequences are combinations of Kinesthetic, Visual and Auditory preferences for what you pay most and least attention to. There are six possible combinations. You will be more fulfilled and productive when using your two strongest sensory pathways.

Cognitive thinking is how you process sensory information in your two brain hemispheres. The "left brain" is the logical side providing order, realism, sequence, language interpretation, and practical thinking. The "right brain" operates about 10,000 times faster than the "left brain;" this side provides new ideas, possibilities, music recognition, innovation, and systemic big picture thinking. Most people have a preference for using one side over the other. Integrated thinkers have an equal preference for both Sequential and Global activities; they need variety and balance to be stimulated and engaged.

Work and life activities have neuro-sensory and cognitive signatures.

Nearly every activity has combinations of sensory and cognitive thinking characteristics that define the "neuro-signatures" of the activity. Doesn't it make sense that you are more likely to engage, enjoy and do better in work aligned with your strengths? The following examples will help you analyze what you do on a daily basis.

Sensory Pathways

Visual: proof reading, data entry, quality control observations, reading instructions, visual arts, design, proof-reading
Kinesthetic: hands-on activities, operating equipment and tools, physical action and movement, face-to-face interactions
Auditory: listening attentively, asking and answering questions, conflict resolution, crafting language, hearing tone of voice

Cognitive Thinking Pathways:

Sequential: analysis, staying on task, organization, logic, process and procedures, tactical, content, practical and realistic
Global: open-ended, multi-tasking, options and possibilities, systemic, exploratory, ideating, "big picture," strategic, context
Integrated: a combination of Sequential and Global activities

As an example, Telemarketing requires making and receiving phone calls, listening attentively, asking questions, providing auditory information, some computer work and limited physical movement. Telemarketing typically involves established processes and procedures. A person having the sensory sequence of Auditory-Visual-Kinesthetic with a strong preference for Sequential thinking would be ideally suited for this work, assuming they were interested in telemarketing as a career. On the other hand, a Kinesthetic-Visual-Auditory learner and Global thinker would likely be miserable because they are misaligned with the job requirements.

Aligning your brain strengths with what you have to do increases the probability of career success. You will be more engaged, get more done in less time, make fewer mistakes and enjoy your work when you use your sensory and cognitive thinking strengths.

Stephen Hager is a lifelong learner, scientist, author, speaker and teacher. Along with Deanna Phelps, he is the co-creator of brain-based human development products. Their goal is to help people live better and more peaceful lives through the "power within." Since 1992, Deanna and Stephen have been developing practical neuroscience solutions for better communications, clearer thinking, faster learning, higher productivity, stress management and creative problem solving. Everything they have learned from 20 years of research and working with people is incorporated in the comprehensive and individualized Brain PathWays 14-page report. Brain PathWays is the most advanced and value packed neuroscience system available anywhere. The Brain PathWays Blog, Free Daily Messages From Your Brain and Free Resources will likely motivate you to bookmark http://www.brainpathways.net as a Favorite.

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