You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for exercises and tips to advance your career, or simply for guidance on implementing the NOM 035 STPS regulation. Admittedly, many people are afraid to face their demons and prefer to stay in their comfort zone. But now is the time to take ownership and start discovering what truly makes you happy (and what doesn’t).
To excel in your role, the first step is to assess where you are now. For this, having the big-picture perspective from your Life Map is crucial. From there, you can clarify what you want your job to give you and map out the changes needed to boost your productivity. The goal is to improve upon the initial ratings from your professional wheel of life. Here we show you the best tips and tricks to improve your employability:
- Professional Wheel of Life
- Questions that help you do a better job
- What would my ideal job be like?
- How to improve in my job?
Example of the Professional Wheel of Life
Just as the Wheel of Life helps you assess your degree of satisfaction in the different sections of life, as shown in the book “Autocoaching para despertar,” other wheels can be made to analyze other life areas in more detail, such as this professional and work area.
Work Wheel of Life
You will need a blank sheet of paper and to draw a circle divided into eight sectors, as if it were a game piece for Trivial Pursuit. Score each work area (wedge) from zero to ten based on your degree of satisfaction today, with zero being a disaster and 10 being feeling great. Remember that there is no pre-set scale; it is a personal one, and what may be very good for a colleague or collaborator may not be for us.
Try not to complicate things by looking for a reference system to see how to gain a point. If you have doubts, close your eyes and think: Am I truly happy in this area of my work? Keep in mind that there are many aspects and tips to improve at work, but it is good to start from a good initial understanding of how you feel in your job.
In the Work Wheel of Life (career wheel of life or professional wheel of life), you evaluate your work capacity and how good you feel about the functions you perform in the organization (or in your own business) that you work for. Score the relationships you have created, checking how you feel with colleagues, collaborators, subordinates, and bosses. The job must be rewarded with intangible recognition and more tangible remuneration. If we do not have managers/bosses, colleagues, or subordinates, we can think, “Do I really feel dissatisfied by not having them?” and give a low score if we require them.
These are the areas you should evaluate in the professional wheel of life:
| Area | Description |
| Work Capacity | Am I satisfied with my performance in the work environment? Do I really want to work in what I do? |
| Functions | Am I satisfied with the functions I perform? Am I developing tasks that generate value for the company? |
| Company | Do I feel at ease in my company? Does the company where I work respect my values? |
| Manager/Boss | Am I satisfied with my boss? (or with my role as a boss as an entrepreneur). |
| Colleagues | How do I currently feel regarding my colleagues or work collaborators? Do I feel that we form a good team? |
| Subordinates | Am I satisfied with how employees are treated in a company? Do I feel they collaborate in forming a good team? |
| Recognition | Do I see myself recognized in my work? Do I feel that the work I do is valued? |
| Remuneration | Am I satisfied with the benefits in kind that my job provides me? |
Do you now have the score for all the work sections (wedges)? With this personal measurement, you rationalize the overall vision you have of your professional life and will probably see things differently. Are you not sure about all the scores you have put on the work wheel? Review the scores and do not hesitate to change them until you feel comfortable with them. Remember that, in no case, do we judge a work wheel as good or bad; it is simply yours, personal and non-transferable.
Professional Wheel of Life Template
To finish, draw eight arcs with a thick line, and you should get a figure similar to the one that follows. A picture is worth a thousand words! So, search for “Work Wheel” on the internet and you will see that the resulting figure will be the outline.
What do I want to change in my work?
In the Work Wheel of Life (career wheel of life or professional wheel of life), you evaluate your work capacity and how good you feel in each section of your professional development.
Now is a good time to start working on the lowest-scoring areas. The downside of coaching or mentoring is that you often lose a lot of time in the initial phase to find the problem, so do not doubt that the Happiness Application, Happiness Play, can help you in these first steps.
Coaching exercises for the professional environment
We often feel so much fear in various situations at work that we prefer to hide them and not say anything, but some examples of questions from a coaching perspective will help us in our day-to-day situations. Let’s remember that coaching does not try to train or offer advice, as it is based on the idea that the client has all the necessary resources to achieve their goals.
We are sharing some examples of how work is done in work coaching sessions, where you will see that they formulate powerful questions that make the client think about their own actions.
I want to improve the relationships I have at my company
To truly improve your work relationships, it’s essential to begin with honest self-reflection and a clear strategic approach. The way you interact with others, the image you project, and the overall company culture all play a role in shaping your professional connections. Before taking action, take time to assess your current situation and ask yourself a few key questions that will help you build healthier and more productive workplace relationships::
- What image do you think others have of you in the company?
- What actions do you have to undertake to reverse or improve it?
- What can and can’t you change about these relationships?
- How does the general environment of the company influence your professional relationships?
I want to earn more money / get a higher salary
Aspiring to a higher salary is a natural part of career progression, but achieving it requires clarity, preparation, and evidence of your value. It’s important to approach the subject with confidence and data, understanding what you’re truly worth and how to communicate that effectively. To start shaping your strategy, consider these reflective questions:
- What real options do you have to achieve this?
- What merits have you accumulated to get that salary increase?
- What ideas can you think of to achieve it?
- Who can directly influence a salary increase decision?
- Who could support you in achieving it?
I want to be valued more at my company (by my boss, my colleagues, in other departments)
Recognition and appreciation are key drivers of motivation and engagement. If you feel undervalued, it’s crucial to understand both what you expect from others and what you are contributing to the organization. Clarity in this area is the first step to improving how you are perceived.
Reflect on the following to redefine your impact at work:
- What do you expect from others at work?
- What do you think others expect from you at work?
- What would be your ideal scenario for this to happen?
- How could you get there?
How to get my company to provide me with training
Professional training can be a powerful lever for growth—but it often requires you to demonstrate initiative and alignment with company goals. The more clearly you can show the benefit of that training—for both you and your team—the more likely you are to gain support.
These questions can help you clarify and frame your request effectively:
- What do you really believe the training the company provides will contribute to you?
- Are you in the right place to access this training?
- What professional skills can you put into action to achieve this?
- Is the training you would request in line with your professional objectives within the company?
I want to create my own company
Starting a business can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—paths to take. Success begins with clear vision and grounded expectations. Before you move forward, it’s essential to validate your idea and be prepared for different outcomes. To help guide your decision, reflect on:
- What is your dream project and what is real in it?
- Have you thoroughly analyzed all market options?
- Have you sought professional advice to support you in the process?
- What will happen if things don’t go as you wish? What is your alternative plan (Plan B)?
I want to change my position or functions within my company
Desiring a change in role or responsibilities is a sign of growth and evolution—but such transitions require thought and preparation. It’s important to know why you want this change, and what you’re willing to do to make it happen.
Use the following questions to evaluate your readiness and next steps:
- What aspects are you willing to give up to change positions, and which are non-negotiable?
- Why is this change so important to you?
- What are the essential factors that your ideal position or department must have?
- What actions can you undertake to achieve your objective?
- Have you considered what skills you need to fit into that new job?
How do I get a permanent/indefinite contract at the company, what can I do?
Securing a permanent contract can bring stability and peace of mind. To reach that goal, you need to be strategic, understand what the company values, and proactively demonstrate your reliability and performance.
These reflections will help you approach the process wisely:
- Is this a plausible objective to achieve?
- What are your motivations for achieving it?
- Who can you count on within the company to help you achieve it?
- What ideas can you think of to get it now?
- Can you do more things to demonstrate high performance and be considered?
How to get a job
Changing industries is more than switching jobs—it’s a shift in mindset, skills, and sometimes even identity. To transition successfully, you need to understand what drives you and how you’ll bridge any gaps.
Ask yourself:
- Have you done everything in your power to achieve it, or could you have done more?
- What ideas can you think of to achieve your ideal in professional life?
- What are the skills that make you stand out from the others?
- When are you going to start, and what actions will you take?
How to change work sector
For a change of sector like the one you are proposing, I would like you to think carefully about:
- What motivates you to look for opportunities in that sector?
- Have you evaluated the requirements to be able to work in that sector?
- Have you evaluated the expectations generated by this new work sector?
- What alternatives would you have in case you don’t succeed?
- What people do you know who could help you?
How to work on what I like
Working on something you’re passionate about doesn’t just happen—it’s often the result of deep self-knowledge, perseverance, and planning. Fulfillment comes when your enthusiasm meets a real opportunity.
Consider the following as you explore this path:
- What would motivate you most about that new job?
- How much effort are you willing to put in to achieve it?
- How can you overcome the obstacles that stand in your way?
- Who do you know that can help you achieve it?
- Have you thought about the activities/functions that stimulate you professionally?
I want to collect unemployment (the unemployment benefit)
Turning to unemployment benefits may feel like a setback, but it can also serve as a moment of clarity and redirection. Make sure you approach it not just as financial aid, but as part of a broader strategy for what comes next. Ask yourself:
- Have you gathered all the necessary information?
- Have you evaluated if your expectations align with reality?
- Whether you get it or not, have you considered what you are going to do?
- Have you planned how you will use the benefit?
What do I do to not lose my job in difficult times?
Uncertain times call for flexibility and proactive thinking. Instead of focusing on fear, channel your energy into actions that strengthen your position and make you indispensable. These questions can help guide your mindset:
- What qualities make you indispensable in your job, and how can you make the most of them?
- What other alternatives can you think of to keep your job?
- Who can provide you with support in the company?
- If you were to lose your job, what options would present themselves to you?
What would my ideal job be like?
I see that I don’t feel very well at work… maybe I have problems with my boss, maybe I have to improve the relationship with my colleagues, or maybe I have to think about looking for new work challenges. Okay, and what are you doing to change the situation? Surely you have heard Einstein’s little phrase “Let’s not pretend that things will change if we always do the same thing” a hundred times, and you have thought… those were different times!
The context is complicated, more so now in times of the pandemic (which adds to existing regulations, like in countries such as Mexico where the Official Mexican Standard NOM-035 must be applied to manage psychosocial risk factors), but the time has come to leave complaints aside and simply start listing everything we want at work. Do you really know what you want and what gives you happiness? Even if you don’t have a job right now, have you stopped to think about what you would like your ideal job to be?
To know what you want at work, you first have to design a complete Letter to Santa Claus (or the Three Kings) with a list of what you would like your job to be like. I expressed myself correctly, list the things you would want in your job, both the necessary and the optional ones. For example, I have spent my whole life writing with my right hand; that is, I am right-handed. But when I had an injury on my right side and they put it in a cast, I adapted to writing with my left. As it was temporary, I quickly returned to the right, but if it had been for life, I would surely have gotten used to being left-handed. That is, I have a preference for being right-handed, but that doesn’t mean I can never be left-handed, because it would only be a matter of practice.
It is good that you are aware of these preferences. A good trick to know them is to ask yourself, for example, what led you to feel dissatisfied with your last job. That will indicate what things you pay more attention to. For example, I have found people who can’t stand traveling for their job, or who never want to be required on weekends, or who want to be very close to home. Regarding a person’s tastes, there is nothing written, but surely you dare to list your preferences without much difficulty. It is very important that you do not limit yourself, and that you can include everything you would like. Life will set the limits for us, but don’t try to set them ahead of time. Also remember that maybe it’s time for a corporate speaker.
My Ideal Job
As an example, we are going to provide an example of a “Letter to the Three Kings” for work, already organized with the list of preferences or conditions into necessary and motivating.
Necessary Conditions
- That my boss generates trust and makes me feel motivated (well-defined types of power).
- That the salary is in line with my work responsibilities.
- That there is a good degree of camaraderie and that they know the differences between a threat and a warning.
- That I learn useful things that are useful.
- That they involve me in tasks and keep me away from people who break the rules.
- That it offers me continuous training.
- …
Motivating Conditions
- That my company is stable and has a good reputation.
- That they reward my successes, maybe with some type of work party?
- That it offers extra gratifications like meal tickets or health insurance.
- That it has a good office, and if possible with a yellow background that I like so much.
- That they value the employee above profits (maybe it’s good to do some values exercises).
Furthermore, for this, there is nothing better than supporting yourself with the Happiness Play Tool, which offers you the best initial support to go to sessions with professionals with more knowledge, and also accompanies you throughout the entire process. This way you will be able to enjoy the Self-Coaching Methodology in the first person more effectively. Are you up for it? Enjoy the tutorial video and you will see how easy it is to improve at work. Cheer up!
How to improve in my job?
Factor Classifier
It is important to work in detail on the list of factors captured in the “Letter to the Three Kings” to improve our degree of consciousness (long live happy workers!). First, you have to classify them as necessary or motivating and, after, order them by importance. The first classification will help you distinguish between the things you imperatively need (necessary factor) and those you would like to have (motivating factor) to be happy in that area of your life. In the second step, order each factor from most to least important, that is, from what you want most to what you want least, to detect what you should never give up for your happiness.
Happiness Play, Helps You at Work
In this case, we want to show you an example from the professional sphere of one of our clients. It is very easy to use the happiness application for the work sphere!
You can start managing your work happiness with Happiness Play by clicking here.
