If you have a feeling there’s something special you’re supposed to do in this lifetime, that’s your heart calling to you. It’s saying, “Give your gifts to the world!”
What if your heart has been calling to you, but you can’t figure out what it’s saying?
Finding your true calling is both easier and harder than you might think.
It’s totally easy because it’s right there under your nose, and has been all along. Certain things come easily for you, and you find yourself drawn to them. Ask people who know you well, “What am I good at?”
Where your talents meet your interests, that’s your calling.
Follow Your Bliss
I met a woman recently who worked in the medical field for 20 years, and she told me she’s now “finally” following her passion for color into a new career as an interior design consultant.
She said she’s always been drawn to color and art, not to mention music — all things creative and beautiful. What was she doing in the medical field?
She’s not alone in building a life that was not in alignment with her greatest gifts (and therefore her greatest joy).
For many of us, when we design our adult lives we often neglect to listen to our hearts. We forget the importance of our own interests in pursuing a career. Other things seem more pressing.
In a word, we focus on money. When we have enough, then we’ll pursue the things that will make us happy.
The Precious Present
Delayed gratification is a useful tool, but it works against your quality of life. Today is the only time you can be happy. Future happiness is just an idea. It literally doesn’t exist.
So finding the right work entails knowing your inborn abilities, and using them in pursuit of your interests, TODAY.
Knowing what you’re good at is relatively easy. Actively following your interests is where most of us fall short.
Here are some tips for following your interests:
1. Just do it.
2. Don’t try to figure out how you’re going to make money at it; just get started doing what you love. Do it for free. Do it for others. Do it for barter. But do it!
3. Did I mention just do it?
You can’t predict what will happen when you follow your bliss; no one can. So don’t let anyone convince you that “you can’t make money doing that.” How the heck do they know where your path will lead?
Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
A few times a year I offer a free class, Do the Work You Were Born to Do. If you live in the Portland area, you’re welcome to attend the next time it’s offered.
For more on aptitudes, including testing, check out the Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation.
I’ve also heard of coming at this from the opposite direction. Think about what makes you angry or upset, like social injustice, environmental waste, or improper grammar! Then think about how you can funnel that passion into a postive outlet: criminal law, engineering, teaching. And then do it.
Alison, great idea! A passion is like an interest, times ten. And if that particular fire ever goes out, you can always redirect. Nowadays most of us will have more than one career during our lifetime anyway. Thanks for visiting.
Have you ever considered doing a webcast of your class?
Hi Monday. I’ve considered creating a webinar based on the class, but it’s in line behind my self-help book and a number of other activities at the moment. If you’re on my mailing list, you’ll get an email when it’s available. Thanks for your interest.