Today we are talking about direction. It is one of the top questions I receive: Where do I start, how do I know what my dream career is? I am going to help you figure it out!
I am going to completely honest; I know exactly how you feel. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. When I was working in finance, I realized I even though I was good at finance, it was not something I enjoyed. But, I could blog for hours and hours and never get bored. I also loved teaching and training finance, but not doing finance. So I knew I needed to learn more and head in the direction of education and training.
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What Type of Work Makes You Happy?
Ready to finally uncover what your dream career is? It starts by identifying the type of work that makes you feel the most fulfilled. Answer the following questions:
- What is your zone of genius? When are you truly fulfilled and work doesn’t even feel like working?
- When you are at your best, what are you doing?
- What could you do for hours and hours and not get bored?
- When skills, tasks, and activities are you best at?
- When skills, tasks, and activities from above do you enjoy the most?
Finding meaning is the number one reason that people recently had changed or would like to change their careers.
Meaning is being passionate about what you do. Meaning gives you an ability to set priorities to satisfy your needs and desires. Every person may have a different meaning.
“We do not exist for the sole purpose of paying our bills, grooming our kids to be able to do the same, and, maybe, someday, retiring to finally enjoy life, should we ever reach that point. We are here to let our lights shine as brightly as possible, to drink in the joy of friendship and family, to serve and better the greater community and to tap into and inspire passion in everything we do. We are here to come alive.” – Jonathan Fields
The first principle of your ideal career fit is purpose and passion.
Having a purpose gives you a reason to get out of bed every morning and go to work. It’s the reason you and I are both still alive. If you are unhappy in your work life currently, there is probably something about your purpose that needs to be evaluated, either with the purpose of the work you do or the purpose of the company or industry that you are currently in.
Once you determine your purpose, use it to help you make an impact and difference in the world, generate your mission statement, and find that career you were born to do. This is what will set you apart from the competition.
Listen to Happiness 02: 4 Keys to Create the Life You Want
Another question you will want to think about in this lesson is what have been the highlights and peak experiences of your life and career? When I was changing careers and going through this very same formula that you are now, I realized the highlight of my career was teaching a training class at my company and being in charge of the training team. These questions helped me make a career out of my purpose and passion! And if you can’t already tell, I am a little passionate about teaching and training.
Finding my purpose is how I launched my career with my passion and found success because it makes me unique, and it makes me stand out from the competition. That passion is what helped me land jobs when I was job searching, and it now helps me attract students to my courses because my passion and purpose shine through in what I do.
I am focused on how I can use my strengths and talents to make an impact and difference in the world. So enough about me and my passions, it’s time to identify your purpose and passion and make sure you check out the mission statement generator in this lesson too.
Gain an understanding of your mission and what makes you most excited about life.
Ask yourself these questions to identify your passion:
- What activities make you lose track of time?
- What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
- What makes you feel excited about life?
- What do people typically ask you for help in?
- If you had to teach something, what would you teach?
- What would you do if you only had one year to live?
- What has you bouncing out of bed in the morning, eager to start your day?
- What have been some of the highlights and peak experiences of your life and career?
Define Your Mission Statement
Everyone needs a mission statement. We only get one life. Don’t let someone else mold it for you. Even if it is just a few words on a post-it note, you need something to help you focus on what is most important in your life.
You know in your heart what is most important to you. In fact, your mission and values are expressed every day but how you live – you just might not realize it.
To create your own mission statement, go to franklincovey.com, and answer the ten questions.
What is your mission statement?
Are you put here on this Earth for some special purpose to do some unique work that only you can accomplish?
I would love to hear your thoughts about today’s episode! Share your thoughts on Instagram and tag @classycareergirl.
