When someone asks what you do for a living, how do you respond?  I’m not asking what your response is, but rather, how you deliver your response.  This is such a loaded question, but evaluating your response can be eye-opening.  Your response says a lot about your overall job satisfaction, as well as your perception of your success.  The question is “What do you do for a living?”, but we tend to answer as if asked, “Have you found your calling?”

Yep, this is what I’m meant to do!

When asked what you do for a living, you respond with the utmost enthusiasm, eager to detail the on-goings of your day. You speak in exclamation points!  You’re not an Administrative Assistant; you’re the Queen of the Office!  You’re a problem solver, event planner and day-maker, ready to take on whatever comes your way.

Maybe, but probably not.

When asked what you do for a living, you state your job title, straight-faced and monotonously.  You’re a Dental Hygienist. Period.  Sigh. No offense to Dental Hygienists.  Insert Mechanic, Attorney, Chef, Hat Maker…it doesn’t really matter.  If it’s not your calling, what more do you want to say about it?

Definitely a No!

When asked what you do for a living, you change the subject, or worse yet, you LIE!  Avoiding the question completely is a red flag that you’re unhappy, ashamed or exhausted.  Are you so consumed by your job that you’d rather pretend it didn’t exist? Have you given up on finding your calling?

Finding Your Calling

The point of this isn’t to depress you about your life choices, but rather the opposite.  I want to remind you that this is your life, and you only get one.  It’s never too late to change your career.  No, it won’t be easy, but you can find your calling.

You can bring your calling to life!  You can be successful and productive doing what you love and surrounding yourself with like-minded people.

These tips can help you get on the track to not only finding your calling in life, but also bringing it to fruition.

1. Revisit Childhood Dreams.  Maybe being a superhero is not an option at this point in the game, but what did you always dream of becoming?  How far away from that dream are you, and why?  Brainstorm the steps you would realistically have to take to get there.  Is there a relatable occupation within closer reach that can help you take a step in the right direction?
2. Discover Your Interests Again.  If you’ve been so consumed by your job that you’ve forgotten you once loved painting or hiking or gardening, then you definitely need to reintroduce some interests into your life.  Maybe you can’t make a living out of long walks on the beach, but reminding yourself what it feels like to have joy in your life is an awakening in itself.  Those walks in nature might be just the thing you needed to bring you closer to realizing your calling.
3. Hire an Executive Coach.  A professional coach can be a worthwhile investment in helping you sort through your job satisfaction issues.  From a lateral move within your organization to a complete career over-hall, an executive coach can work with you to help you find success.  Getting to the bottom of your dissatisfaction and frustration in your career is one of our specialties at CTC Productivity.  If a career change isn’t in your future, we can help you make the changes needed to find fulfillment in your job again.   After all, success and productivity are highest when you are passionate about your career.
4. Don’t Settle.  Listen to your gut.  If something doesn’t feel right, or good enough, then it probably isn’t.  No, I’m not advising you to quit your job and never look back.  Rather, come up with a tangible, realistic plan to get you on track to your dreams.  As much satisfaction as you might get from shouting “I quit [insert desired expletives]”, you might need to ask your boss for a reference.   Even if you’ve checked out, keep it professional.

The most impactful advice I can offer is don’t wait for tomorrow.  Stop wishing your life was something else, and just make it happen. Today.  Right Now!  It won’t happen overnight, but every step you take will bring you that much closer to your true calling, to a life of happiness, fulfillment and success.