Today there are thousands of different careers to choose from and it is generally accepted that our lifestyle can influence our career choice. But consider, too, how your career can affect your lifestyle. As an adult, you spend more hours each week at work during your waking hours than at home. Thus, your career represents an important part of your life.

While your career is your chosen course of pursuit through life; your lifestyle reflects your attitudes and values. However, the same values that relate specifically to your work permeate all other aspects of your life. It is highly likely, therefore, that your choice of career path could affect your lifestyle on different levels.

Here are six aspects of your career to consider that could have direct effect on your lifestyle:

Income. Your work serves a financial purpose, and the kind of career you pursue will determine your level of income. Some careers have higher earning potential than others. Your level of income will determine to a great extent where you live and to some extent your social life. Furthermore, some people use the resources from their careers to create a lifestyle that makes significant contributions to society.

Job satisfaction. This is the sense of pride and fulfillment you feel in doing your job. The degree to which you value your work as meaningful and rewarding will be reflected in your lifestyle. It is likely that the same sense of meaning will pervade other aspects of your life including relationships, spirituality, and hobbies.

Self-worth. It is argued that a person’s vocation contributes to his feelings of self-worth and dignity. Self-worth reflects your feelings of worth in areas such as your skills, achievement and financial resources. When you feel good about what you do in your chosen career, it is likely that this feeling of well-being will be reflected in other areas of your life. The work you do and the resulting lifestyle is bound up with your sense of self.

Personal identity. Your personal identity is who you are and includes how you identify yourself with respect to your job. For many, work represents status and prestige. Furthermore, the career you choose has implications as to how other people think of you and what you are known for. Thus, your sphere of influence could be related to the job you do.

Flexibility. The levels of flexibility you have over your schedule directly affect your lifestyle. Jobs with more flexible schedules are more likely to facilitate pursuing other interests such as family commitments and hobbies in a more definitive way. However, more structured jobs could result in a more ordered lifestyle that could be more restrictive and less exciting.

Creativity and originality. Work provides an avenue through which your creativity and originality can be displayed. When pursued, this form of self-expression is likely to result in greater self-understanding and confidence. Your ability to exercise originality and creativity in your vocation distinguishes you.