Values: Finding Work You Love

The only way to do great work is... love what you do - Steve Jobs

Many people find themselves in a job where the biggest reason for staying is the money.  Sometimes this can lead to a feeling of being trapped; an on going cycle of resenting their workplace, whilst longing for something different.  Whilst seemingly unbearable, these feelings are actually helpful to our journey as they are secretly habour a great metamorphosis that will propel you on.

These are feelings of dissatisfaction are the key to motivating you towards change.   When we become self aware of the things you need to change, you can take action.  The best thing you can do is allow these uncomfortable feelings to come to the surface (don't push them down) and evaluate how you can take action to resolve them.

Change in Capacity:

Sometimes our feelings can be resolved by building a more diverse resilience skill set and we may choose to stay in our workplace after all.  For example; if you have been promoted to a leadership role, but after 6 months decide this is not the job for you, it is important to reflect on why you are unhappy.  Are you finding managing your team difficult and this is causing you extra stress.  If you increase your capacity with a leadership course, perhaps this unhappiness will decrease and you will now have the tools to deal with feeling emotionally 'stretched'. 

Another example, could be stress at work to complete everything that is expected of you.  Current workplaces are very busy places and it is often hard to manage the mental and emotional stress on a weekly and monthly basis.  Often allowing ourselves to being open to developing our negotiation skills we are able to create a change in pace and expectations from management.

Increasing our personal leadership capacity so that we are able to negotiate change and contribute to a collaborative work environment will mean that not only our stress, but the overall work culture will be changed for the better.  For example, negotiating flexible work hours, working from home, negotiating a collaborative team approach around problem solving or labour distribution, and asking for help are some of the ways we can speak up, create change and balance our workplace expectations.

Change in Passion:

Other times our work unhappiness or unease cannot be resolved.  This is an exciting time, because it is a sign that your passion and focus is about to change.  It takes a lot of courage to admit you would like to change your work (passion), but the first step is taking time to reflect on why.

You can always plan your way into another Career.

Step One:  Embrace the Change (Why?)

Embrace your unease.Ask yourself why you are feeling unhappy?List all the things you like about your job and all the things you do not like.Talk to friends and mentors about your discontent and get feedback.

Step Two:  Exploring Your Passions (How?)

A passion is something we do because we want to.  Exploring your passions often leads us back to our childhood; how we use to play freely without constraints is the best state to uncover the essence of our creative and passionate selves.

Ask yourself the last time you felt very happy, satisfied, content?What were you doing?  Describe, draw, discuss and write down the detailsIf you didn't have constraints or money what you do all day?Write down your ideal day.What do you find yourself dreaming about?List 10 activities that you love doing. (Which ones would you like to continually do?)List 10 things you feel you are talented at.  (Which ones would you like to continually do?)

Step 3:   Getting in the Flow (Feel?)

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi wrote a book called Finding Flow.  He studied people who were totally absorbed in an activity to the point where nothing else mattered.  In this state of flow he found that his we all experience intrinsic motivation (so that we are wanting to learn, experience, engage more of the activity) and we don't need anyone to 'push' us to finish the task.  When we are intrinsically motivated we are engaged and happy in our pursuit, we feel alive.

When considering your talents and activities you love:

What activity do you experience intrinsic motivation?What activity makes you want to jump out of bed and begin?What excites you so that you want to keep learning about, or keep training in?What activity would you like to master?

Step 4:  Defining your Dream (Why?) and creating your Vehicle (How?)

When you have decide on an activity, interest or talent you would like to pursue write it down as a Personal Passion.  Your Personal Passion can now can be turned into a Contribution Statement

• Personal Passion [Why?]  Love for colour and art; as a child loved to draw.

• Contribution Statement [Why?]  To inspire people with design.

• Vehicle Statement [How?]  To become a graphic designer.

Step 5: Create an Action Plan

You may not be able to leave your workplace tomorrow and sign up for a training course to your next career; however, you can always make changes and plan your way into your next career phase.  Don't be put of by the training or changes involved.  If you are motivated your passion you can always plan small steps towards a different work-life dream.

• Find someone who is doing what you would like to do and ask them how they navigated their career.

• What skill set do you need for your next career? 

• What skills you already have?

• What training courses are available?

• Can you train extra-murally or in your own time?

• Find a Mentor to bounce ideas with.

• Use an Career Counsellor to help you with decision making and your action plan.

#Values #Career #Action #Contribution #SpokeInsight