Over the course of 8 years as a coach, trainer and speaker, I am honoured to be working closely with the unemployed graduates. And every time when I was briefed on the training needs analysis and learning objectives, this statement was often uttered from the client's mouth:
"Our main purpose is to upskill them so that they can find a job."
One of the main reasons why many people are picky about their career pathway is because they are struggling to balance between the need to find a job or a calling. Some of them had tough times choosing between a choice of their own and a choice of their family. Some of them wanted to launch their business and some of them were totally clueless. Some of them wanted to find a meaningful life and some of them merely wanted a job that could possibly pay off their bills.
So What's The Difference?
According to Dr. Amy Wrzesniewski from Yale University:
Job
- Provides pay, benefits and social perks
- More invested in their lives outside of the office
- Earning paychecks to afford doing things they love
Career
- Provides pay, seeks out opportunities for advancement
- Strive for next promotion, look for training, aim for progression
- Possess long-term vision for professional future and set goals
Calling
- Provides deep alignment between what they do and who they are
- Emotional and personal connection at work
- Sense of purpose, excitement and looking for contribution
Some questions to ponder:
- What is the most meaningful part of your work?
- Do you end your day feeling emotionally satisfied?
- If you were not paid the paycheck, would you still be doing what you do now?
Reflecting Values and Priorities at Work
Unsurprisingly, people who are in the calling category would find most satisfaction in their professional work. While it is very challenging to pin down exactly what sparks our fire at work, I find that discovering our values would help us a lot indicate our current professional situation in either the job, career or calling category.
Values are what exactly motivates you at work.
Values are what you find important to you at work.
Values are what you look for at work.
Step #1: Identifying Your Values (Importance)
Filter what's important to you at work. It could possibly be:
(I recommend you to do this process, you may require a paper and pen.)
- Money
- Freedom
- Travel
- Fun
- Appreciation and Recognition
- Leave a Legacy
- System and Structure
- Control
- Security
- Maximize Potential
- Develop and Inspire Others
- Status
- Creativity
- Express Myself
- Adventure
- Loyalty
- Balance
- Variety
- Power
- Competence
- Knowledge
- Achievement
- Networking
- Environment
- Quality
- Teamwork
- Making a Difference
- Honesty
- Relationship
- Passion
- Trust
- Integrity
- Health
Step #2: Prioritizing The Importance
From all those that you have selected, what are your top 5 values at work? What are the top 5 values that you must possess in order to make it as the most fulfilling and satisfying work for you? What do you look for most?
Step #3: Defining Your Top Values
Of so many other values, why did you select these 5? What makes you think that these 5 values are more important than the rest? If these are your top 5, can you do without the rest?
Many people struggle to find meaning and fulfilment at work. You are not alone. The process of finding your true purpose and calling requires the right time and execution. Follow the flow and do the best that you can possibly do right now.