Tags
Career, happiness, inspiration, philosophy, psychology, work
Most of us spend 40 hours a week and over 40 years or more in our jobs. The sad fact is that many people are in jobs which they have no real enthusiasm or excitement for. They are buying their time and they don’t feel connected to what they do. In many cases they are doing the job for the sake of paying the bills. A lot of time people end up in jobs or careers that they don’t really like because they fell into them or were told by their teachers, family or society that this would be a good job or career to do.
I know when I was growing up and considering what to do with my life in regards to my career, there was very little guidance and useful help in this area. At times I found I was at a lost at what to do and ended up in a career which I didn’t find fulfilling or rewarding. It served a purpose in that from the outside that I looked like I was a productive member of society however inside I was feeling empty and meaningless. I lacked passion and excitement for what I was doing.
In considering a career which may be of interest to you, it is important to look at your values and if they are congruent to the career you wish to pursue. Your values are the things in your life which you place a high value on and which are important to you. They could be freedom, money, creativity, relationships, travel, status, security, family, work-life balance, teamwork, fun etc. If for example your 5 top values are work-life balance, family, fun, freedom and teamwork then if you are in a job/career which you have to work very long hours and is very stressful and which doesn’t allow you much time or freedom for family and other things in your life, then there is a high possibility that you will not be very happy.
It also important to be engaged in a career area which you are interested and are passionate about. If the career that you choose engages in a few or more of your interests, you will be happier in it. Your interests could range from yoga, music, sport, marketing, personal development, travel, animals, organic farming, cooking, dancing, writing etc. If you are in a career area which you are not passionate about, make a list of the areas that you are interested in and brainstorm possible career options that you could choose or create in this area. For example if you have an interest in writing, music and travel you could become a music journalist/reporter and travel and interview musicians.
Another aspect in choosing a career which best suits you is your personality. What kind of personality do you have? Are you extroverted or introverted? Do you predominantly like to use your feelings or your mind in making decisions? Do you like to use your senses or your intuition? Are you action or thought orientated? If for example you are a person who is introverted and doesn’t enjoy lots of interaction with people then there is a strong possibility that you would not be very suitable to a sales job.
The skills that you are good at and that you enjoy using are usually strong indicators of the area that you would be suited in working as well. They can range from organizing, planning, sales, presenting, writing, management, coaching, training, marketing, sales etc.
When choosing a career ask yourself the following questions;
* What are my top 5 values?
* What are my interests?
* What kind of personality do I have?
* What skills do I enjoy using and that I am good at?
* When you know the answers to these questions, then brainstorm possible careers that may be suitable with these values, interests, personality and skills….think outside the box 🙂
* Highlight the 3 careers which you would be most interested in pursuing and research them in regards to qualifications needed, what it is like to work in it by talking to people in that career, salary, opportunities etc…
* Then choose the career you would like to pursue 🙂
I hope this was useful…
If you have any feedback, words of wisdom or comments, I would love to hear them….
Namaste,
TW
That Career Girl said:
Great post, finding a good fit to personality is so important as things will come so much more naturally. They should talk about these points in high school before people choose their tertiary pathways, at least in my experience that was not the case.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks so much for sharing. They should totally talk about these things beg
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Indrajit Rathore said:
wise thoughts – but most of the time with raging unemployment it hardly remains a matter of choice and you are lucky if you are gainfully employed – but yes if there is a choice then what you say indeed applies.
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The Truth Warrior said:
I agree with you. At times it may not always be an option. Thanks for sharing. Namaste. TW
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kellie@writingmoment said:
Thanks for this post, I definitely went with a career that provided money & stability over my passion. It wasn’t the best choice but I’m ok with it as it has me in a good place, however I’m now hoping for a little passion to go with my career. Your post really helps 🙂
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The Truth Warrior said:
I am glad you liked the post. I wish you the best in having more passion in your career. Namaste. TW
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Diane Tibert said:
I agree. Too many people are guided towards careers for money only. I was. Now I tell my children to do what they love and the money will come. They just may have to work harder and be innovative with their passions.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Yes it’s so true 🙂 You may need to work harder to create your passion, however the chances are if you are enjoying it it will not feel like work. Thanks for sharing. Namaste. TW
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Kristin Eubanks Parmeter said:
Love! Great post!
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks 🙂 Namaste. TW
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Kathryn said:
I am so grateful to be able to pursue a career that I am passionate about (artist) mostly because my dear husband has chosen the more difficult road of being in a career for the money… His career was born out of necessity (grooming shop owner) but in many ways I think he has managed to turn it into his passion…
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The Truth Warrior said:
I am very happy that you are in a career that you love. I wish you much success. Namaste. TW
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My Pursuit of Perfection said:
Hmm..interesting post.
The passion/interests also change with time. For example, I loved the corporate world, the challenge, power and money in my twenties when I was single. But started to hate it when I hit thirties.. It kinda got monotonous and of course many other issues when gained maturity.
The priorities change with time for many..I think.
Vic
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The Truth Warrior said:
Hi Vic. Thanks for sharing. I agree our values can change as we change and get older. The corporate world is not for everybody. Namaste. TW
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The Truth Warrior said:
i Vic. Thanks for sharing. I agree our values can change as we change and get older. The corporate world is not for everybody. Namaste. TW
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A.Rose said:
Your post is right on target. I found that having a career that aligns with your values is critical. Taking the time out to list top 5 values is not only beneficial, but wise as well, being that working in a field that you aren’t passionate about will eventually take its toll on you.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Yes your top 5 values is critical to being in a career which suits you. Thanks for sharing. Namaste. TW
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Jessica Sweet (@WishingwellGift) said:
Thanks for this post. I’m actually a coach that works with people who want to do what they love – for work that pays the bills or in an encore career that doesn’t need to support them in quite the same way. Either way, the work is usually about finding what they would love to do and what they will find meaningful and sustaining. I find it is very much about values, but it’s also about what they want to give back to the world and the impact they want to make. This doesn’t always look like philanthropy in a traditional sense, but impact. For example, clients have decided to write, take on a big job at a large non-profit, open a bakery, work with animals, make a deeper investment in their own learning and more.
I think it’s as much about who you are and what you value as it is about what you want to give back to the world.
Jess
http://www.wishingwellcoach.com
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The Truth Warrior said:
Hi Jess. Thanks so much for sharing your great insights. I agree it is very much about what people value in their lives. Namaste. TW
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meticulousmick said:
Could not agree more. Not got a new job yet mind. MM 🍀
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks 🙂 Best of luck on the job search. Namaste. TW
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Willie Cloete said:
Thanks for an insightful post and it underlines why I made a career change at age 40 three years ago from graphic designer to chef. And I don’t look back, earn less, work harder, but overall I am a much happier person and that is most important to me!
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The Truth Warrior said:
Well done on your career change. It is very inspiring. How did you go about making that change from graphic designer to chef? Thanks so much for sharing. Namaste. TW
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Sandeep Bhalla said:
We are born with biological conditioning and as we grow up we accumalate more habits. Generally every person has a different temprament and is not suitable for every job. The truth is that careers are now chosen for the glory or aggrandizement of self and education creates an illusion that any one can do or learn anything. Subject to these caveat, I agree the career must be chosen with the view that every profession or job is a service to public and if we do not perform fully we are betraying the humanity not our employer.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks so much for your inspiring words of wisdom. Namaste. TW
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longandluxe said:
Thank you for this very inspiring post! I am currently in a transitional time and your points truly resonate. I agree – it is an art!!
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The Truth Warrior said:
You are very welcome. I am glad that you enjoyed it. I wish you the best on your own journey. Namaste. TW
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Christian said:
For 22 years, I did what I loved and was healthy, happy, and optimistic about life. In 2000, I broke down and took a corporate position for the money and benefits. I grew increasingly more unhappy, ill, and despondent. In 2010, I realized the correlation between my unhealthy job, my downward spiral in physical health, and spiritual health. It has been a beautiful struggle since then to navigate to a better place. I have little money, no benefits….and am happier now, doing what I’m passionate about, than ever before. Thank you so much for this post. PLUR
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks so much for your honest and inspiring comment. I know how it feels not to be true to yourself. Thanks for sharing. Namaste. TW
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Henri Ferguson said:
Often folks ask me why I chose to teach yoga as a life career and with tongue firmly in cheek, I reply “I do it for the money”. All kidding aside as a student of life I teach what I need to learn, I am learning to evolve as a spirit having this human experience and “school is always in”.
We connected through LinkedIn and so pleased I took the time to check out your blog. Fabulous writing, clear and concise, accessible and intelligent words from a wise old soul. I look forward to reading more.
Namaste,
Henri
http://www.henriferguson.com
http://gristforlifesmill.blogspot.ca/
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks so much for your kind words. Great to connect with you. Namaste. TW
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2020hinessight said:
I am definitely in this situation right now. I don’t love or even like what I do, but the money and the people and the current job market keep me there. I am in the process of going back to school, so I can get back to doing what I love. I definitely am ready to get back to living a happier, healthier, and more productive life. Thanks for this insightful post.
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catavasilescu said:
Simple and efficient method, I like it!
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks 🙂 Namaste. TW
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