How to Become an Intentional Engineer: A Guide to a Purposeful Career – Ep 316

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Intentional Engineer

In this episode, Matthew Douglas, the operation leader at EMI, talks with me about my new book, “The Intentional Engineer.” We discuss intentionality in engineering careers, work-life balance and explain how you can conquer challenges with confidence.

Engineering Quotes:

Intentional Engineer

Intentional Engineer

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Become an Intentional Engineer: A Guide to a Purposeful Career:

  • The book highlights the importance of intentionality in one’s career. It caters to professionals at different stages and guides them in taking charge of their career path. It helps align their work with their life goals, fostering purposeful growth and meaningful contributions beyond personal satisfaction.
  • Understanding how mindsets shape our actions is crucial. They act as a lens, affecting how we see the world, and as an internal operating system, influencing how we react. By recognizing our mindsets and running experiments to challenge limiting beliefs, we can pave the way for personal and professional growth, forming neural connections that align with our desired mindset.
  • Choosing to be intentional is crucial as it gives individuals control over their path rather than leaving it to chance. It means understanding personal goals and adapting to the various opportunities available, allowing for flexibility and ongoing self-discovery throughout one’s career journey.
  • It’s fine not to have all the answers at the beginning, as different experiences, even the ones that seem like chance opportunities, can provide valuable insights and help clarify personal goals. Engineers have a responsibility to contribute positively to society, and it’s equally important for them to create a fulfilling life that aligns with their values and aspirations.
  • Choosing to be intentional empowers individuals to shape the life they desire, cultivating joy and fulfillment and enabling meaningful contributions in both personal and professional spheres, leading to a more purposeful and impactful existence.
  • Even when having a clear goal, the path might not always be easy or enjoyable. Taking action, even without complete clarity, can lead to growth and skill development, helping you move forward in understanding and pursuing your aspirations.
  • Journaling is a transformative practice that facilitates reflection and self-discovery, allowing individuals to clarify their goals, tap into their intuition, and create a meditative space. By integrating gratitude and affirmations in the morning and reflection and introspection at night, journaling becomes a valuable tool to slow down thinking, consolidate ideas, and continuously refine self-understanding.
  • Shifting from work-life balance to life-work alignment emphasizes prioritizing life over work, integrating both areas to support each other, and promoting personal growth through creative alignment of life activities and work responsibilities.
  • Strengths and genius zones are crucial in helping individuals excel in their unique abilities, leading to a sense of fulfillment and impact in their work. Recognizing instances of “flow” and understanding unique combinations of skills and experiences can uncover these genius zones, allowing for a deeper understanding of personal strengths that can be utilized for professional growth and fulfillment. Identifying and leveraging these strengths not only enhances personal satisfaction but also helps individuals effectively communicate their value to current and prospective employers, leading to more impactful and fulfilling work experiences.
  • Navigating through uncertainty and resistance is crucial for intentional living. While it’s natural to fear the unknown, it’s important not to let uncertainty hold one back. Embracing discomfort and recognizing resistance as a sign of the significance of an endeavor can provide a valuable perspective when facing challenges. Understanding and accepting resistance can enable individuals to move past their fears and pursue their goals more effectively.
  • The book encourages readers to take action toward a purposeful life, shifting from reactive to proactive approaches and emphasizing the importance of defining one’s path rather than letting external factors dictate it.

More in This Episode…

In the Take Action Today segment of the show, Jeff talks about confronting and overcoming personal fears to experience growth and self-discovery.

About Jeff Perry, MBA

The Engineering Career CoachJeff Perry is a leadership/career coach for engineers, building mindsets, leadership, and career intentions to unlock hidden potential and remove self-imposed roadblocks for career and life. For years, he has had the pleasure of supporting engineers and software pros, from new grads to director level. Having been on the front lines in the technical world, he has been able to map out the necessary skills for becoming a quality leader in the field.

You can connect with Jeff on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcperry/ or visit his website, https://morethan-engineering.com. Jeff also has a new, FREE, on-demand training course for engineers who are job searching or in job transitions. You can see it at https://engineeringcareeraccelerator.com.

About Matthew Douglas

Project ManagementMatthew currently serves as the operations leader for the Engineering Management Institute. As a leader, Matthew’s goal is to ensure the efficacy and efficiency of the Learning and Development group. As a civil engineer by trade, Matthew has developed a passion for construction and stormwater management through maintenance and rehabilitation services. Matthew has also had experience working for private consulting firms and public agencies and has even held the role of an educator. As such, he loves to lead, build, mentor, and help those in need.

Most recently, while working for the public sector, Matthew took on the role of a public works operations manager. He led a few public infrastructure rehabilitation projects and implemented new asset management technologies at a very young age. It is here that the passion for “fixing what’s broken” developed. He now uses his talents to lead EMI’s Learning and Development – Operational procedures, train engineers, and co-host podcasts.

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

The Intentional Engineer

Intentional Engineer

The Big Leap

The War of Art

Resources and Links Mentioned in This Session Include:

JeffPerry.com
Benjamin Hardy’s Online Journaling Course
The Intentional Engineer
Connect with Jeff Perry, MBA, on LinkedIn

We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you might share on how to become an intentional engineer.

Please leave your comments, feedback, or questions in the section below.

To your success,

Jeff Perry, MBA
Host of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast

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