Human Design Tips for Your Career
How-to work smarter in your PR career with your unique energy
TGIF friend!
I had the privilege of bylining a blog post for the PRNet community of PR and comms professionals, sharing my favorite topic: how-to use human design for work.
Below is a (semi) sparks notes version for you.
NOTE: even if you’re not in the field of PR, the below insight is absolutely transferrable to other careers.
Get excited - because when you recognize and work accordingly to your human design energy, you can enhance your approach to work in the most authentic way.
I hope this serves you!
What Is Human Design?
Human Design is a personalized inner-authority system that combines elements of astrology, Kabbalah, Myers-Briggs, I Ching, quantum physics, and the chakra system to reveal how a person’s energy is designed to engage with the world.
Your Energy Type specifically provides insight into:
What you were born to do.
How you feel when you use your energy correctly (signature theme) and when you don’t (not-self theme).
The most effective way for you to make things happen.
There are five Energy Types in total: Manifestor, Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector, and Reflector.
Manifestor
Manifestors have two energy periods: surges and rest periods. Manifestors are here to initiate ideas and/or new projects during their surge periods.
In the workplace, Manifestors are the only Energy Type that doesn’t require external input to start something new—they are the cause, and everything else follows. Here are ways Manifestors can work smarter, not harder in their PR career:
Prioritize work environments & clients that give you space to share / initiate ideas and be your fullest expression of self.
Put blinders on to how others do PR and what they might think about how you secretly want to do it. E.g. if you feel the urge to DM an editor or send a pitch in an unconventional way, go right ahead! You’re meant to pave your own path.
When pitching editors, it will serve you to over inform, include all relevant information in the first email—links, documents, and any details that could preempt questions.
What to avoid to keep ease and flow in your career:
Waiting for an invitation to act on an idea.
Making yourself smaller or quieter to blend in or avoid standing out.
Dulling your personality to avoid rejection or displeasing others. View rejection as a form of protection when you’re being your authentic self.
Your goal is to cultivate a sense of peace while at work.
Generator
Generators are one of two Energy Types that create their own energy. When generators are doing tasks that bring them joy, they generate new energy. This energy comes with responsibility, as it affects others around them. By embracing small, daily pleasures, Generators maintain an energetic frequency of joy, naturally attracting positive results and opportunities.
In the workplace, Generators are here to achieve mastery. Here are ways Generators can work smarter, not harder in their PR career:
Prioritize PR strategies that allow you to respond to media opportunities: HARO queries, Presshook, freelancer newsletter’s call for pitches
Prioritize daily joy: Notice how taking small moments for yourself—like treating yourself to a favorite coffee—can shift the energy of your entire day. Often, these small acts lead to unexpected results, like responses from editors or clients.
Find your niche — and the area of PR that you truly desire to master.
What to avoid for maintaining ease and flow in your career:
Taking on too many roles and being spread thin with wearing many different hats (but also interpret what this means specifically for you)
Doing everything because you have the energy to do so — versus delegating the tasks you don’t fully enjoy doing
Your goal is to feel satisfied at work.
Manifesting Generator
Manifesting Generators (MGs) are the second Energy Type - similar to Generators - they generate new energy. The main difference between the two is MGs are here to do and show us that a new, non-linear path is possible to achieve the same level of success and satisfaction.
In the workplace, MGs are multi-talented are able to juggle multiple projects and wear various hats in the workplace. Here are ways MGs can work smarter, not harder in their PR career:
Create and adopt your unique way of reaching and achieve client goals. While others might follow a linear path (A, B, C), let yourself skip around (A, D, F, J, Z) and trust that you will still reach the same destination.
Allow yourself to be interested in multiple areas of PR. If you specialize in media relations, but then after having coffee with a colleague, desire to explore event production — honor that desire, share that desire and be open to adding that to your role responsibilities. You will master new tasks quickly.
What to avoid for maintaining ease and flow in your career:
Feeling bored or confined to one role.
Overcommitting to people please. Just because you have the energy doesn't mean you should take on every project. Focus on what genuinely excites you.
Projector
Projectors are one of the three Energy Types that do not generate their own energy. Unlike Manifestors, Projectors don’t experience surges of energy, but this doesn’t hinder their ability to work. In fact, there are no limitations in Human Design, as projectors have the ability to work 3x more efficient than other types.
In the workplace, Projectors offer a unique perspective as they see the big picture and can identify ways to improve and create efficiencies. Here are ways Projectors can work smarter, not harder in their PR career:
First and foremost, you must see, recognize and value your own ability to view the big picture and see improvements and efficiencies at work
Seek a work environment where colleagues and clients also recognize and value your unique perspective + invite your insight
Quality vs quantity is key — build strong relationships with editors you know will be a win-win and move the needle for our clients, versus sending a wide net of pitches to a 100+ media contact list. When you invest time into the editor relationship upfront it will pay off, as they will seek your expertise in the future.
Create and share reports, strategies, and status updates in a birds eye view format
What to avoid for maintaining ease and flow in your career:
Overworking to keep up with others: Instead, embrace new more efficient ways of working that allows you to accomplish the same amount in a 5-hour work day.
Trying to “do” work how your colleagues are doing it.
Your ultimate goal is to feel successful at work.
Reflector
Reflectors are one of the three Energy Types that do not generate their own energy. They are also the most unique types, comprising of only 3% of the popular.
In a workplace, Reflectors play a critical role as they are here to act as mirrors for the rest of us. For example, when working alongside a Generator, Reflectors will mirror the Generator's energy levels and emotions, making them the ultimate chameleons. Given that their energy is counterintuitive and society pressures individuals to adopt rigid identities, it’s crucial for Reflectors to release the need for a fixed title or identity.
Here are ways Reflectors can work smarter, not harder in their PR career:
Prioritize work environments, colleagues and clients who make you feel good. Your sensitivity to energy will help you discern who contributes positively to your environment.
Embrace your fluidity and allow yourself to express what feels authentic in each moment rather than adhering to a consistent persona.
Embrace and utilize the energy of your environment. If your colleague is a Generator lean into their energy and adopt a responsive approach in your PR tasks. Conversely, if you’re brainstorming with a Manifestor the next day, don’t hesitate to voice and initiate new ideas and approaches.
What to avoid for maintaining ease and flow in your career:
Limiting your identity by restricting yourself to one identity.
Letting others define you.
Making impulse decisions and/or letting others pressure you to make a quick decision. When presented with something new / a choice - try to give yourself at least ten days to “try it on” before making a new commitment.
Your ultimate goal is to feel surprised and delighted at work.
An Opportunity to Experiment
Human Design offers a framework, an opportunity for you to experiment with new ways of doing work — often times validating the ways that you’ve always secretly wished you could do it.
If you’re interested in learning how-to leverage your unique energy for your career — connect with me via this form <3