Finding a Career in Harmony with Your Life Path

Which of the following would you chose? Doing your lifework as a permanent occupation or a regular activity performed in exchange for payment. The first is the definition of a career and the second that of a job. Both involve physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something, but in a career you are self directed and at choice. In a job you are generally following orders and passive.

If what you do now is more of a job and less of a career, you are cheating yourself and the community. By doing what you love, you contribute the best in yourself and influence positive change in the community. Jobs aren't wrong, but they should not be permanent. Doing something merely for a sense of security drains you energetically.

So how do you go about discovering your career? A good start would be to ask yourself some questions and answer them without limiting yourself. Don't let that ego in your mind criticize or make comments while answering these questions. Forgo doubts and fears and allow yourself to be truthful.

The Questions

  • What accomplishments am I most proud of? (Be honest without judging yourself. If the word pride is holding you back, change the question to what accomplishments pleased you most.)

  • What activities bring me joy? (Now and in childhood)

  • What subjects do I find exciting? (Not just interesting, but those things have an emotional draw.)

  • What type of personality do I have? (I suggest using the Enneagram as a guide.)

  • What are my talents? (No false pride here. Holding back only cheats yourself and our society of positive influence you can contribute to our world.)

  • How do I define success? (This is very important. Take some time to think it through. Dig a little deeper than whatever your first response is by asking yourself why. Try substituting happiness for success. If you are clear on what you want emotionally, intellectually, and physically you are that much closer to getting it. Do not let others define success for you.)

  • If I did not have to earn a living, what would I do instead?

  • How do I best interact with people? (small groups, large groups, one on one, in person, in writing, over the phone)

  • After you're gone, what would you like to be remembered for?

  • Do any of these things overlap or compliment each other?(The more items you can utilize in a career choice, the more powerful you can be in that career.)

    • Answering these questions will give you a compass heading in creating a career in which you can shine. Find someone positive and supportive to assist you in brainstorming and creating your career. Remember that life is a journey. Your personal lifework may evolve as you do and change over time.

    Dare to Soar with Carolyn Frances,
    Life Coach & Spiritual Guide,
    http://www.ClaimingGreatness.cc


    More Resources

    Preparing For Your Job Interview: What You Need To Know To Be Successful
    In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their mission is to know you and assess your worth, especially in relationship to the other candidates interviewed. Asking you questions is the way they accomplish that mission.
    One Step at a Time in the Job Search
    What is the first step to take in a job search?Let's start with "Who Am I?" If the job seeker can answer that question easily, then the rest of what to do, comes easily.It is often the hardest thing to do in a job quest, or anything else in life.
    Why Human Resources Are The Real Key To Success In This Information Age
    The rapid changes that have mainly been brought about by the information age are numerous and irreversible. They have affected our way of life on virtually every front and have left many old companies in ruins while causing other new ones to swiftly emerge and grow to great unprecedented profitability, literally overnight.
    How To Get a Job Offer From Every Interview
    About four years ago a friend told me one night that she had an interview the next week and was looking for some comfort as she was extremely nervous, as most people are about interviews. I thought back on my my carreer and realized that in the nine year of my career I had been to thirteen interviews and, more importantly, that I had received a job offer from every one of those interviews.
    20 Ways to Advance Your Career
    To survive and thrive in today's competitive environment, it is not just what you know. You also need to be competent.
    Rekindling Passion for Work
    Passion comes in many forms. I'm focused on the version of passion that is "boundless enthusiasm".
    Recruiting Excellent Job Candidates
    An independent recruiter, recruiting agency or executive search firm is charged with tracking down excellent potential candidates for available job positions. Despite the fact that there are innumerable people seeking positions of employment in the 21st century, it often seems to a typical recruiting agency that qualified men and women are few and far between.
    How to Get Hired by Being Obvious
    If you want a drink of water, do you hire a focus group or pick up the Yellow Pages? No. You go to the kitchen, fill a glass and drink.
    How to Get Paid More Without Being Pretty or Good Looking
    Guess what. The results are out they are ugly.
    Job Interviews: Answering Whats Your Greatest Weakness?
    Many interview guides advise candidates to answer the common "What's your greatest weakness?" question with a positive trait disguised as a weakness. For example, "I tend to expect others to work as hard as I do," or "I'm a perfectionist.
    Can You Compete?
    Are you looking to hire the best talent? Are you thinking about adding a new employee who will significantly impact millions of dollars in YOUR business? Do you want to hire the best? Then you need to show and convince your next hire that you are serious about him joining your team.In March, we received the following candidate's response to two high level interviews.
    12 Steps to Targeting Success in Your Career or Job Search
    Is your job search sagging? Are you still looking for that ideal next job? Or are you about to begin looking for new work and are not sure of the best way to go about it? What you need is a way to evaluate your job search strategies to see whether or not they are working effectively for you. Ready to get started? Here are 12 building blocks to a successful job search and the goals that will help you get to where you really want to be in the world of work: 1.
    Job Interviews -- The Real Reasons Why You Need to Follow Up
    Effective follow-up after a job interview is often a key reason why someone gets a job, even though there are other equally qualified candidates. Many candidates treat follow up as an optional add-on to their job search.
    7 Tips for Writing Winning Resume Cover Letters
    Writing a good resume cover letter is something you should seriously consider when preparing to send off your resume to potential employers.Here are seven important cover letter writing tips:Address the individual by name.
    Is a Career Change on Your Horizon?
    Making a career change is nothing new in today's job market.I've heard it said that the average American changescareers at least once in his or her life.
    From Bumbling Bosses to Cranky Co-Workers - How to Overcome What Makes You Hate Your Job
    I'll be the first to admit that I hated my job. It took many years for me to come to this realization since I kept accepting promotions in the hopes that the awful ache inside of my chest would go away.
    Supplement Your Skills and Improve Your Work Position
    It is often said that the majority of people are but a few checks away from homelessness. Without a consistent income, this may be a true statement.
    Stand Out From the Crowd with Simple Marketing Methods
    Although today's job market can be very competitive, many job seekers overlook simple techniques that will catch potential employers' attention. Apply these eight ideas to stay ahead of your competitors and get hired now!1.
    Have Enough Money to Change Careers - Five Key Steps
    At every talk I give, I ask the audience to tell me the reasons why people don't change careers. The most common answer given each time is "lack of money.
    Overcoming Inertia in Job Change
    If you can hold on to an optimistic belief in the possibility of success, you have a very powerful motivator of change. But not everyone can, or will need help to do that as some are naturally more optimistic than others.

    More Careers & Employment Information:

    Related Articles

    Learn How to Throw a Boomerang
    Actually, "the boomerang effect" is a relatively new trend of inviting back talented former employees into the fold.Surveys indicate 12% of employers cautiously admit they would re-hire ex-employees (alumni).
    No Experience? No Problem!
    Are you a new graduate with little or no work experience? Sometimes it can be tough to get a job without experience, and how do you get more experience if you can't get a job? Well, your chances are better than you think. Even if your work experience is a little weak, you've probably got life experience that will help you.
    How To Ask For A Pay Rise!
    Negotiating a pay rise is not something many people do on a regular basis. By applying these keys you will be well positioned to improve your negotiation skills and feel more empowered when asking for a pay rise.
    Building a Solid Network
    A client who has a fine arts degree wanted to move out of his successful career in advertising and into the real estate development business. He had already enrolled in a top notch MBA program to learn more about the field.
    Interview Quicksand
    How will you respond when you're asked the following two questions?1.What type of boss do you like to work for?2.
    When Should You Update Your Job Skills?
    With the U.S.
    Look in the Mirror
    Take a moment to step outside yourself. Now, be honest with me here? If you could be your own boss, how would you rate your own performance in the last three months? Would you get a raise, a day off as a treat, or would a big and brawny security guy kindly escort you to the parking lot?In order to be an effective marketer and a progressive human being for that matter, you have to take a breather and look in the mirror.
    Rewriting Your Resume? 7 Easy Ways To Give Yourself An Upgrade
    In today's competitive job market, a first class resume is an essential tool for winning an interview. The way in which you present your skills, achievements and experience on paper will profoundly affect the way in which a hiring company considers your application.
    Resume Tune Up
    Employers have fears, uncertainty and DOUBT (the FUD factor) over your ability to actually do what you claim you can do in your resume and cover letter.Combine this with the fact that EVERY candidate looks good on paper, no-one leaves their previous job because they were paid too much, the work was too interesting and all the people were fantastic, and you can see the challenge you're facing.
    The Role of a Medical Assistant in a Modern Medical Practice
    Many physicians are unsure of what tasks are appropriate to assign to a Medical Assistant. It is important to remember Medical Assistants are not licensed to make independent medical assessments or give advice.
    Career Moves: Take Charge of Your Life
    Every day millions of people let their inner fears stop them from creating the life of their dreams. No one will deny that it is scary to step out of your comfort zone, but once you challenge your fear and take action, you can attain great things.
    Are Your Intentions Clear in Your Job Search?
    1. Do you REALLY know what you want?2.
    Do What You Love, Love What You Do
    Everyone dreams of a life full of love and adventure. But we fill ourselves with reasons not to follow our dreams.
    Seven Steps to Making a Successful Career Change
    My first job was secretary to Moses. Having to transcribe and make 2,430 copies of the Ten Commandments convinced me I was on the wrong career path! OK, maybe I'm not quite THAT old.
    Building Your Army of Supporters: How to Build Strategic Relationships in the Work Place!
    Once you have accomplished your task of getting in the door and getting the job the real job of career advancement begins!You will soon learn (if you haven't already elsewhere) that corporate politics are ALWAYS surrounding you. If it is not your boss who is fearful of you taking his job it is your co-worker who wants to ensure that they are seen "better" than you when promotion time comes calling.
    Job Search Tip for College Students
    Today everyone is looking for that special job that will suit their exact needs. In this day and age we all have circumstances, situations, obligations, etc.
    Avoid a Three-ring Circus with These New Interviewing Strategies
    I referenced the circus because I just finished another interviewing book that recommends asking for the job before leaving the interview. I can envision up to 15 qualified professionals each asking the interviewer for the job.
    Looking for a Qualified Medical Billing Specialist
    Families, mothers, employers, and medical practices all interact in one way or another with a medical billing specialist. When medical billing is required, a qualified medical billing specialist can help you process your claim quickly and thoroughly.
    Tips for Getting Your Movie Career Launched
    Hollywood helps those who help themselves! In you want to get your movie career fast tracked then here are three common sense tips to help you on your way.1.
    Job Interviews: Ill File a Grievance!
    I recently went to a retirement party with my husband for one of his co-workers. I worked at this same place six years ago (that's where I met my husband, but that's another story), so I knew most of the people at the party.