It’s a little frustrating not knowing what I want to be when I grow up!
I have talent, I have good skills, I am a hard worker yet I haven’t figured out where to really focus! The common saying of ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ truly applies to me. Career match quizzes don t get who I really am. They re missing something.
I already know I can ‘learn’ whatever I need to for the job. Been there, done that! In fact, I’ve even paid out of pocket money and taken courses in anticipation of finding a job, and instead ended up with a job where I’ve never even used those skills! Now there’s kind of a waste of time and money, right? Well, try and stay on the positive side of all this. It’s all learning. And it is said, if we’re not learning, we’re dying. It’s all part of life.
But what do I do with it all? Does any of this sound familiar?
There is hope in putting it all together
So now I have the ‘opportunity’ to find work again.(Yes, I’m a statistic of today’s economy). The stuff I love to hear as I research new jobs is ‘that it’s time to do what you love, not just find a job because you have to’ ‘How to Find Out What You Really Love To Do’, and ‘You Have Whatever It Takes To Follow Your Dreams’… it’s actually true if you want it to be.
Yes, IT CAN BE DONE, however, there are a few things to consider along the way:
Everyone knows how hard it is to get along with others when there s a personality conflict – so imagine how hard it is to be happy in career that does the same thing. Similar to when you re looking for a mate, you want to find a career that complements your character, not conflicts with it.
For example, if you re active and outgoing, you might not do well sitting at a computer at a desk all day.
On the same token, if you re shy and soft spoken, you might not do well in a public relations position that requires constant interaction.
If you like working alone, you wouldn t thrive in a setting where there is team consensus involved.
So do some thinking and considering about the following attributes and then ask yourself the questions that follow:
Personality. Is there a good match between your personality and chosen or desired career? This can have a significant impact on whether you find your work fulfilling.
Motivation. This is one of the most important factors for long term career satisfaction. Find a job that motivates you and you ve found the right career. Motivation covers your unique interests and what gives you a sense of achievement .
Skills. You must always include your innate ability and aptitudes; too many people sell themselves short because they forgot to look inside themselves! What are you already good at?
Values. Think about the lifestyle you want, your beliefs, religion or ethical guidelines, the type of organization or people you want to work for, the product or service you want to contribute towards
Constraints? Forget any constraints you may come up with; where there is a will, there is a way! This is so true.
Opportunities. Opportunities abound once you start looking for them.
Some questions for you, be completely honest, this is a discovery process not an interview. There are NO wrong answers:
1. What did I enjoy most about my old job?
2. What were the most difficult parts of my old job and would I want to avoid them going forward?
3. Did I use and develop my talents at my old job?
4. What am I passionate about?
5. Based on this inquiry, what career is right for me? And what would be the elements of my dream job?
Are you writing any of this down?
You’ve heard about the study Anthony Robbins talks about where , where he quotes a study – “In 1953, researchers surveyed Yale s graduating seniors to determine how many of them had specific, written goals for their future. The answer: 3 . Twenty years later, researchers polled the surviving members of the Class of 1953 and found that the 3 with goals had accumulated more personal financial wealth than the other 97 of the class combined.”
Start making notes about what your dream job needs to entail.
Spend sometime exploring who and what you’re about. But not too much, there is such a thing as over analyzing. Keep it simple! If you ve seriously thought and answered the questions above, you have a starting point already.
Then focus and get going. There are lots of resources, articles, books and courses to help you find who you are, or what it is that’s in your way.
Action is the antidote to despair. – Joan Baez
Author Resource:
Foxton and friends are putting together resources to help you start thinking outside the box. Find more help and some career ideas,at http://www.PersonalityAndCareers.com .
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