As Catholic professionals, the end of the year or the time for annual reviews often offers an opportunity for reflection—not just on achievements and goals, but on deeper personal and spiritual growth. The process of self-assessment and professional development can be a powerful tool for aligning our work with our faith. Ignatian discernment, rooted in the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, provides a meaningful framework for this reflection. By engaging with discernment practices, professionals can cultivate a deeper sense of purpose in their careers and a more profound connection to God’s will for their lives.
Ignatian Discernment: A Tool for Personal and Professional Growth
Ignatian discernment is the process of seeking God’s presence and will in our daily decisions and experiences. It involves prayer, reflection, and seeking inner consolation (a sense of peace and alignment with God) or desolation (a feeling of restlessness or separation from God) in response to choices. Ignatius encouraged the faithful to discern not only major life decisions but also the everyday choices that contribute to one’s personal and professional growth.
For Catholic professionals, integrating Ignatian discernment into annual reviews and self-assessments allows for a more holistic view of success. Instead of merely evaluating productivity or career milestones, this approach encourages professionals to assess how their work aligns with their values and their relationship with God.
Step 1: Examen—Looking Back with Gratitude and Insight
The Ignatian Examen is a spiritual practice that involves reflecting on one's day in order to discern God's presence in every moment. In the context of an annual review, professionals can adapt this practice by reviewing the year’s events with a heart of gratitude. What achievements can be acknowledged? What challenges have been overcome? Importantly, where did you sense God’s presence most strongly in your work?
This process of looking back provides insight into patterns of behavior and work habits. It helps identify moments of grace, where you felt particularly aligned with your vocation, and areas where growth is needed. By reflecting on the successes and struggles of the past year, professionals can better understand how their work serves both their personal fulfillment and God’s greater plan.
Step 2: Discerning Growth and Purpose
Once reflection has been made, it’s time to turn to discernment to ask: How does my work serve the Kingdom of God? In Ignatian spirituality, all work—whether in ministry or secular professions—is seen as an opportunity to collaborate with God in bringing about good in the world. In the annual review, this step encourages professionals to reflect on their career trajectory: Are my professional goals aligned with my deeper calling?
As you assess your skills, strengths, and weaknesses, take time to pray over whether your current path is the one God is calling you to walk. Ignatian discernment helps you tune into what brings peace and fulfillment and to let go of goals or roles that no longer align with your spiritual values.
Step 3: Setting Intentions for the Future
The final step in Ignatian discernment involves setting intentions. This is not simply about achieving more or being more successful, but about making choices that deepen your relationship with God and others. Set professional goals that foster growth, but also focus on intentions that nourish your spiritual life. Perhaps this means pursuing opportunities that allow you to serve others more directly, committing to greater work-life balance, or seeking additional training to improve your skills in areas where you feel called to grow.
By incorporating Ignatian discernment into annual reviews and self-assessments, Catholic professionals can approach career development not just with an eye toward external success, but with a deeper desire to live out their vocation in service to God and others. This spiritual practice allows for a more prayerful, purpose-driven approach to both personal and professional growth, making every choice and action a means to greater alignment with God’s will.
