Salespeople will tell you that to be successful you have to believe in what you are selling. That same idea applies to work in general. If you are considering making a job or career change, ask yourself, what do you believe in? What really matters to you? What do you value most? You may have some financial or prestige goals in mind, but set those aside for the moment. There are many paths to attaining wealth and influence. Career success and job satisfaction result not from external rewards but from fulfilling one’s own goals and aspirations.

While it’s good to have mentors and role models, the fact is, you cannot walk someone else’s career path. Some people discover early on what they want to devote their energies to. For many of us, that may come about through trial and error, opportunity and necessity. Either way, there is no formula for success, only options. It’s up to you to determine what success looks like for you.

Start by taking some time to think about what’s most important to you in a job or career, what gives you satisfaction, and what you want to accomplish. Then take inventory of your skills and talents. What do you do well? In what areas would you like to develop? Now start to map out a kind of matrix or diagram in which you match your career goals and aspirations with your skills and talents. Highlight the areas where you find a high degree of alignment. You want to look for opportunities within that “sweet spot” where your values and your abilities converge. Don’t worry if you don’t find your “perfect” job right away. For now, focus on getting onto the right path and acquiring additional skills and experience that will eventually take you closer to your goal.

When our work and our values are in harmony, we have are free to be our best selves and to do our best work. We have a sense of purpose, of direction and of satisfaction that only comes when we have met the highest standards—those we set for ourselves.