Chad Ellsworth knows that the road to self-improvement is bumpy. Often the biggest roadblock? Look in the mirror. Ellsworth is a career coach at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, where he was named 2018 Staff of the Year by undergraduate business students. But he doesn't limit his wise counsel to students — or careers. Ellsworth, 40, is all about helping us grow throughout life. Reared in Nebraska, he earned a master's degree from the University of Maryland and came to the U in 2004. His book, "Building Up Without Tearing Down," was published in September. As a New Year's gift, the married father of two sons offers guidance in finding fulfillment by getting out of our own way.
Q: What trips us up in our quest for more authentic lives?
A: Honestly, the biggest thing that gets in our way is ourselves. We are our own greatest inhibitors. Too often, we allow perceptions of what others think of us prevent us from doing what we want to do. "What are my friends, parents, neighbors going to think?"
Q: And the humbling truth is that most people aren't thinking about us at all, are they?
A: A lot of times they aren't thinking about us. Regardless, one of my favorite quotes comes from Joseph Campbell: "What will they think of me? — Must be put aside for bliss."
Q: A lot of people are unhappy at work but worry about quitting.
A: They have become frustrated with just going through the motions. They want to do something that fills them up in some way, that leads to well-being and purpose. It's about learning to look for common threads that do work. Bright spots, positive patterns, elements you still like. Or flip it: What does the part you don't like tell you about what you need for career satisfaction? If your workload is always routine, you might look for something more dynamic and changing.
Q: Is finding purpose at work a luxury? Shouldn't we just buck up?