Career

What do I want?  Where have I been?  What’s next?

As a multi-talent we have lots of choices with our interests and our talents.  This is both exciting and frustrating.  We are given the advice – make a choice and go for it.  That is much easier said than done.  Looking for a common thread among the different interests / talents or defining the underlying value or purpose we have are alternative approaches.  What are the broad themes of our interests?  What are the essential parts of you that you want to give?  What problems to do you want to solve?  What mysteries do you want to explore?  What beauty do you want to create?  What brings you great joy?  Start with these and then we can create that which has practical application.  You note I did not say we would become practical, but that we would CREATE a practical application.

Dick Richards asks 4 Key Questions before your next career move in “Is Your Genius at Work?”

What is your genius?   – it is important to name your genius (two words one action and one object -  mine is figuring out the “how to”  – so technically it is more than two words).

Is your genius at work? List the responsibilities of a current job, a past job, or a job you are considering.  Answer to what degree is your named genius at work performing that responsibility.  Do the same for other activities in your life.

What is your purpose?  Where do you have strong emotions?  What do you see as needed in:   your work environment,  professional field,  for (potential) clients or customers,  community,  world???

Is your genius on purpose?  What are avenues of support?  How do you find the courage?

Barbara Sher says “You should be doing what you’re gifted at.  Now what you are skilled at.  Skills are often nothing more than abilities that were developed because they were useful. “  Her exercise “Tracking What You Loved”  involves listing anything you have enjoyed – Riding my bike.  Then write what you most liked about that activity- Freedom, Getting Away, Being Outdoors.  Next What Themes do you see – Need to be independent, see new places.  Now what Fabulous Career will incorporate those themes – Bike Tours, Travel Magazine, Drawing maps, Teaching Geography.   [Exerted from “Lie the Life You Love”]

Steve Pavlina says – Your career has two components:  your medium and your message. …  Your medium is how you express yourself (the kind of job), but your message is what you express (what is your purpose to give of yourself – contribute).  [Exerted from “Personal Development for Smart People”]

John C. Maxwell asks in “The Success  Journey- The Process of Living Your Dreams”  What are your three greatest talents?  What is your greatest character strength?  What do others who have nothing to gain say that I’m good at?  What have my unique life experiences prepared me to do?  What is my greatest passion – the thing I love doing so much that I would gladly do it for free?  What is important to me that I would be willing to die for it?

You probably have a vast number of other resources you have perused to answer the “Big” question of what do I want to be when I grow up or what is my purpose?

Meeting your needs is important – 1)Survival (otherwise paying the bills) 2) Enjoyment (self-satisfaction,  happiness, joy)  3) then add – self-esteem, wealth, harmony – etc – what you VALUE – what is important to you in your life.

There does not have to be one answer to meet all needs.   You can choose to have a job that uses your skills and pays the bills.  You can choose to have a part time job – that pays the bills.  You can choose the job that creates your delight and you need to supplement to pay the bills.  You can choose to be self-employed, do what you love, and contribute such that you are compensated.  You can do what you love avocationally.

No this little chat does not provide you with all the answers – or all the means.  Know there are answers.  Know you have the answers.  Know you do not have to do it alone.  Know that you can make choices now that are stepping stones to the dream that can be reality.

Ok – ask some questions, share some experience, list some options – let’s have a conversation – comments: