Purpose, why, calling, thing

Whatever you want to call it – how the f**k do you find it??

Last week, I talked about how tired I have been, working in a role that doesn’t align with what I feel I’ve been put on this earth to do.

Changing careers was something I just knew I HAD to do. This idea had been bubbling inside me for so long, I just couldn’t ignore it.

And I am a true believer in listening to that longing that you feel, that niggling doubt that you cannot ignore, and moving forward with it, even if you are not sure where it’s going to lead you.

But what if you’re not sure what that doubt, feeling, or inner voice is telling you – you just KNOW something needs to change – how do you find that purpose or calling, in order to start designing that career or business you really want?

Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. List (or keep notes on your phone as you think of them) everything you love. Include hobbies, interests, things you enjoy in the work you do now, careers you’ve always fancied, experiences that you enjoyed.
2. List your strengths. It might be feedback you’ve had from work, things people tell you often that you’re good at, or just things you know you are great at! Is it organisation, creativity and ideas, detail or big picture, are you abstract or methodical?
3. What do you really care about? What are the causes you strongly identify with, and how do you support them? Is it animals, people, innovation? How would you change the world if you could?
4. Think about your values – what are they? How does your current work align with them, and are there any ideas that come to you as you start writing them down?
5. Go and immerse yourself in a career you’ve always fancied. Find someone in your network who does it, and offer to buy them dinner or a gift card in exchange for a brain pick. People love to talk about themselves, and they love to help people too! If the person you pick doesn’t have time, keep going til you find someone willing.
6. In a similar vein, look for role models and mentors. If you’re inspired by someone, tell them, follow them (online not literally – there are laws about that!), and immerse yourself in their world.

My biggest tip and the one thing I would recommend you do above all else though is – LISTEN to that inner voice. What we ignore or bury will eventually float back up to the surface, and often worse than before – as illness, anger, or burnout.

If you get stuck, feel free to book a call and I’ll help you along.