How to identify a career and role that is right for you
Posted on December 09, 2019 by MANOJ RAMANAN VISWANATHAN, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
We often end up choosing a career that is driven by market & societal factors. When we can look inside within us, we can identify a fulfilling career.
For too long, I have felt dissatisfied and disconnected from the work I was doing.
For too long, I found myself in a rat race instead of pursuing a path that was aligned with who I am.
For too long, I have looked for answers outside instead of looking within.
When I did look inside, I discovered a reservoir of wisdom that led me to find my path.
Each of us has access to this wisdom through our stories and our unique experiences. When you can apply this framework that I am going to share with you, you will get one step closer to identify the career and role that is right for you.
There are four pieces to the puzzle. They are (in no particular order):
*Values
*Strengths
*Passion
*Purpose
Values are attributes within us that define what we care about the most. Many of us share universal values like love and family. When it comes to work, our values tend to be more diverse. It is likely that you lived your most important values powerfully during a peak experience at work. When you can identify your core work values and focus on behaviors and actions to live those values, you will feel more in control of your career and experience joy at work.
Strengths are both natural and acquired. When you are expressing your strength, work unfolds naturally. Strengths vary from person to person and so what comes easily to you may not be a strength for someone else. When you want to stand out in your workplace, identifying and expressing your strengths can be a clear way to position your expertise and hence this is a critical factor to identify the right role for you.
Passion can have an opposite yet complementary effect when compared to strengths. While strengths can make work feel effortless, working on something you are passionate about will make you stretch beyond your comfort zone. People who are passionate about what they want will figure out a way even if it means taking on challenges that they do not have expertise dealing with. The pursuit of something worthwhile will make work meaningful and fulfilling.
Purpose is the why behind what we do. Purpose is the pathway to expressing your highest potential and to enjoy the journey that is your career. This is an attribute of every leader whose driving force is derived through the purpose that they attach to their work. When you can identify your purpose, the way you will approach your work will change and so will your impact.
Together, when you can identify and express your values, strengths, passion, and purpose, you will identify a career and a role that is unique to who you are and what you bring to the table. In this space, you will be able to step up powerfully as a leader from within and express your leadership to your world. What’s more, you will experience what Wayne Dyer says in this quote – ‘There is no way to happiness, Happiness is the way’.
As 2020 appears on the horizon, I want you to experience the deepest joy in your everyday work and career. Here’s to a joyful and meaningful career in 2020 and beyond!
