Self-awareness in action: How to make career decisions that truly fit

Do You Really Know Yourself?

Our professional identity is often deeply intertwined with our personal identity, so much so that taking time for introspection can feel indulgent. But without understanding our values, relationships, strengths, stressors, and needs, how can we make career choices that allow us to thrive?

To be truly fulfilled, both our personal and professional identities must be aligned.

Yet, too often I meet doctors who:

🔹 Are succeeding at work but can’t pinpoint why their role feels unsatisfying.

🔹 Push for the next career milestone only to feel unhappy at home.

🔹 Choose a less conventional path but struggle with feelings of failure among their peers.

Some career decisions will be solid, others shaky, and some may collapse—bringing a loss of self-belief and confidence. When choices are made purely on gut instinct, it becomes harder to retrace our steps and rebuild when things don’t go as planned.

Developing self-awareness cushions these challenges, providing clarity and resilience to move forward with confidence.

Key Questions for Self-Reflection

Making career decisions without self-awareness doesn’t make sense. How can you make a life-changing choice if you don’t fully understand the person you’re making it for?

Consider asking yourself:

✔️ What are my personal values and strengths?

✔️ What are my work preferences and interests?

✔️ What is my personality type?

✔️ What are my work stressors?

✔️ What do I need in my life to stay energized and happy?

✔️ What factors in my life are non-negotiable?

Some of these factors are intrinsic—part of your core identity—while others are external, such as family commitments, financial considerations, or health needs. All of these significantly influence decision-making.

These are questions we should be asking ourselves regularly, as our priorities shift with life events, age, opportunity, and growing self-insight.

The Power of Self-Awareness in Career Growth

None of us is the finished article.

We learn from our challenges and mistakes, but seeing them as opportunities for growth—rather than personal failure—is a powerful re-frame.

As doctors, many of us have little experience of failure, making it all the more difficult when we do, particularly in the current NHS climate where it is impossible to be right or 'perfect'.

Challenges offer perspective and the chance to pause, reflect, rethink our direction.

Investing in self-awareness builds inner strength—helping us:

✅ Identify what truly matters.

✅ Reinforce our ability to adapt and thrive.

✅ Make intentional career choices, rather than reactive ones.

Self-awareness isn’t just a soft skill—it’s an essential tool for career longevity and fulfilment.

Looking Ahead

This is the third in a series of blogs exploring career planning skills for medics and other healthcare professionals. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing the key resources and strategies I use with the doctors I coach to help them make informed and empowered.

If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.