Aligning Work With Purpose: How To Find The Career For Your Most Authentic Life
We've all heard the quote, "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life." This sounds fantastic in theory, but it is truly a reality? The truth is that a fulfilling career aligned with your passions is likely closer than you think. Rather than spend any more time in an unsatisfying day job, take the steps to align your work with your core values and interests. Here are some techniques to begin your pivot to a meaningful career:
Define what's important to you and why. The first step to fulfilling work is knowing what is important to you. A great starting point is to take a look at your favorite leisure interests and activities. Perhaps you are a passionate cook or enjoy running. You may love the time you spend volunteering with a local organization. Once you identify what fulfills you, start thinking about why it does. Try making a list you can refer to later as you navigate the career search.
Identify your skill sets. Many workers possess a variety of marketable skills that may or may not apply to their current role. As an example, you may be a fantastic writer, but you don't get to apply your writing skills in your career. Identify all of your hard and soft skills, particularly those that invigorate you at work. These will help you be competitive for many jobs that may surprise you.
Do your research. Once you've identified your skills and passions, begin doing some research. Start by identifying what kinds of industries and job titles may fit within these known quantities. Be open-minded! It's important to narrow your search, but also to know that you may be a good fit for jobs that wouldn't initially catch your eye. Furthermore, network with people in these areas and ask lots of questions. They can tell you a great deal about the career paths that interest you before you make the leap.
Make a plan. While there are never any guarantees in life, a great step to success is planning. Make a roadmap for what your new career looks like, and how it will fit in with your life. If you need to spend time on education and certification, build it into your schedule. Plan your exit from your current career and the entry into a new one. Having a general plan will make this change more predictable and enjoyable. You can always adapt your plan as you go.
Don't be unafraid of the uncertainty that a change will bring! Aligning your career with your core values will make your life significantly more fulfilling and productive.
