Let’s set the record straight: the perfect job doesn’t exist. It never has and never will. And yet, every week I meet talented professionals searching for it—hoping the next opportunity will finally fix everything.
But here’s the hard truth I’ve learned as a career coach working with hundreds of mid to senior business professionals: if you’re not capable of being happy now, you won’t be happy then—no matter what title is on your business card.
We often place too much pressure on our jobs to make us feel whole. We expect them to bring us meaning, challenge, praise, peace, money, purpose, growth, stability, flexibility... and sometimes even therapy. That’s a tall order for something that, at the end of the day, is still a job.
And here’s the twist—most of the dissatisfaction people feel at work doesn’t actually come from the work itself. It comes from how we interpret it. Our lens. Our story. Our attitude.
Happiness Is a Skill, Not a Paycheck
Some clients tell me they’re unhappy because their boss is too intense. Others say they’re unfulfilled because the role isn’t strategic enough, or the company doesn’t align with their values. And while those can be valid concerns, they often mask a deeper issue: the inability to find joy where you are.
Happiness isn’t found—it’s practiced.
If you walk into your next job expecting it to heal old wounds or solve deep dissatisfaction, you’re placing your joy in the hands of an external force. And that’s risky business.
In contrast, professionals who do the internal work—those who manage their mindset, cultivate gratitude, and actively choose how they show up—tend to enjoy their roles more, even when those roles aren’t perfect.
No Job Is Perfect. But Your Mindset Can Be Powerful.
Every job comes with a certain amount of friction. There will always be slow systems, odd coworkers, office politics, or the occasional pointless meeting. That’s reality. What separates the fulfilled from the frustrated isn’t a lucky job offer—it’s a mindset that’s trained to look for what’s working, not just what’s broken.
If you walk into work each day scanning for what’s wrong, you’ll find it. But if you train your brain to notice what’s good, what’s growing, and what’s possible, suddenly the same job feels very different.
Here’s How to Become Capable of Being Happy
Check your self-talk. If your inner voice is always complaining, catastrophizing, or comparing—you’ll never win.
Build joy habits. Celebrate small wins, thank people more often, and start your mornings with intention.
Do the mindset work. Books, journaling, therapy, coaching—whatever helps you reset and reframe your thinking.
Audit your expectations. Ask yourself, “Am I asking this job to give me something I should be giving myself?”
In short: the job you’re looking for isn’t just about fit—it’s about readiness. And readiness isn’t about your résumé. It’s about your ability to be present, grateful, and open-hearted in the work you’re doing today.
Your next job may not be perfect, but you can become the kind of person who sees the good, grows through the challenges, and builds a life that feels meaningful—no matter the role.
The CNC-Community exists to help North American Mid to Senior Business Professionals in career transition. Check us out at cnc-community.com. We make things simple and affordable ($45 a month for community membership and $85 a week for one-on-one coaching, which includes community membership).
Curt Skene
FOUNDER
Career Network Club