by Steve Boulden
Ultimately, your true calling in life would be to:
A) do something that you love to do, or
B) do something that you’re good at.
And if you’re lucky, it would involve both of these. Now that sounds simple enough, doesn’t it?
So why the endless, great, and mysterious search for the true calling in life?
Listen. If I told you that without a doubt you would succeed, that you couldn’t fail at your chosen career, then chances are you’d tell me exactly what you would do with your life. Most people have an answer when it’s put that way.
So again, why are so many people searching for their calling in life?
Two Reasons
- The basic fear factor. If you’re like I was, then you’ve always known what you really want to do with your life. But for whatever reason, you just don’t do it. Possibly you took the wrong job right out of high school or college based on the lure of big money, the advice of someone else, or circumstances such as the loss of another job, etc. As time has passed, you’ve become complacent, stuck, or even afraid to make a change. You start to make excuses as to why you can’t do this or why that will never work. Or…..
- Maybe you really don’t have a clue. Now, this is the hardest one to understand but it is entirely possible and may even be you.
Now, I know why you’ve ended up at this site and I know what you’re looking for. And yes, you can have exactly what you’re looking for. However, I can’t give you a magic formula here like so many people try to. As I’ve stated before, career testing and self assessments alone are great self-discovery tools but they’re not going to tell you any more than you already know about yourself.
Moving On
I find it hard to believe that you wouldn’t know at least what a few of your talents and abilities are. You’ve been living your life long enough to know what turns you on, makes you tick, and what you can and can’t do. If not, then it’s time to stop, sit down, and do some deep soul searching.
Be totally honest with yourself and you’ll come up with some totally honest answers.
Make a list if you need to.
I know. Not another list!!!
Make a list of occupations that interest you. If you need help with this, you can find an alphabetical list of occupations, their descriptions, and salary stats here.
Make a list of what you love to do and what you’re good at. Don’t leave anything out and don’t exclude hobbies, passions, and what you do in your spare time. Your hobbies and passions could be your ticket to your true calling.
Now make the same list again. Except make this one as if it were five years ago. Ten years ago. Don’t leave anything out. You can make an occupation out of anything. Then pick the top 5 that feel the best and go from there.
There it is, right in front of you.
The real reason that people miss their calling in life is that they don’t seek out ways to make their living doing what the like to do or what they’re good at. They don’t truly believe that it’s possible.
So, what’s your true calling in life?
For most of the people who enjoy successful and fulfilling lives, it’s simple and I’m sure you’ve heard it before…
“Do What You Love And The Money Will Follow”
About the author…
Steve is the creator of ZCareer.com which offers free career test reviews and motivational resources. ZCareer is also an article directory of article directory of career, motivational, self help and spiritual articles.
Cool advice 😉 Sometimes it takes a while (and a couple of risks) to discover something to do for a living that you’ll love. But in the end, it’s all gonna be worth it. And if you’re even luckier, that job will still allow for a person to have time with friends and family.
I appreciate you taking the effort to write this topic. Great line up. We will be linking to this on our site. Keep up the great writing.
“…they don’t seek out ways to make their living doing what the like to do or what their good at.”
their (belongs to them)
they’re (contraction of they are)
Spelling and grammar are important in applications and resumes.
@centrd: Thank you for pointing out the mistake, I’ve edited the sentence in the article!
Good post I do think it is important to do something that you enjoy, if you enjoy it you will be good at it.