“Never continue in a job you don’t enjoy. If you’re happy in what you’re doing, you’ll like yourself, you’ll have inner peace. And if you have that, along with physical health, you will have had more success than you could possibly have imagined.” – Johnny Carson
A few years ago, I met someone who had just landed what looked like a dream role.
It came with a $50k pay bump, more responsibility, and the backing of a huge, well-known company.
At first, he was thrilled. But when I met him six months in, he was completely burned out and miserable.
What happened?
Misalignment.
This happens more often than you might think. We put things like salary, prestige, or title on a pedestal and convince ourselves they’ll bring fulfillment. But if the job isn’t aligned with our deeper values and strengths, the excitement fades—and often turns into a cycle of burnout, job-hopping, and disengagement.
So how do you avoid this trap? Before you say yes to a job offer, here are three questions to ask yourself:
1. Is this aligned with my core values?
If you haven’t identified your values yet, start there. Check out The Intentional Engineer Workbook for an exercise to do this. Then ask:
- Does this company’s culture and mission resonate with me?
- Do I believe in the product or service we’re delivering?
- Will I feel proud of the work I’m doing here?
When your values are misaligned, even the best compensation package won’t fix the tension you’ll feel every day.
2. Does this role fit my “genius zone”?
Your genius zone is where your unique skills, strengths, and passions intersect. It’s the work that feels natural, energizing, and impactful. (Also, Ch. 6 of the Workbook)
Ask yourself:
- Will this role give me opportunities to spend more time in my genius zone?
- Or will I be stuck working on tasks that drain me?
Jobs that let you operate in your genius zone set you up for long-term success and satisfaction.
3. Will I thrive in this culture?
Culture goes beyond values. It’s about how work gets done day-to-day:
- Are expectations around hours, flexibility, and workload sustainable?
- Does the team collaborate in a way that energizes me?
- Will I feel supported, respected, and safe here?
Even when the work itself looks exciting, a toxic or misaligned culture can undermine everything else.
Chasing Alignment, Not Just Offers
At the end of the day, a great career isn’t about chasing what looks good on paper. It’s about pursuing what feels good and aligns with who you are.
Because when you’re misaligned at work, it spills over into everything—your energy, your relationships, even your health. But when you find alignment, work becomes not just sustainable, but fulfilling.
So before you say yes to the next opportunity, pause and ask yourself:
– Does this align with my values, my genius zone, and a culture I’ll thrive in?
If the answer is yes, you’re far more likely to find long-term success and joy in the role.
Watch more in the video below:
