Doing What You Love Best
Carole Kanchier
In anticipation of his 100th birthday, George Burns was asked to what he attributed his longevity. He replied: "I've spent almost a century doing what I love best." Having a sense of purpose and striving towards goals gives life meaning, direction and satisfaction. It not only contributes to health and longevity, but also makes you feel better in difficult times.
Do you jump out of bed on Monday mornings and look forward to the work week? Do you enjoy family, leisure and other activities? Do you have a clear sense of purpose?
To test yourself, answer "yes" or "no" to the following:
Facing my daily tasks is very satisfying. I have a clear career and life goals. My life has been worthless. I enjoy my close friends. I wouldn't change my life drastically if I had six months to live. I have seriously thought of suicide. I see a reason to be here. My job gives my life meaning. I have little meaning in my life. I have inner peace. I'm happy. I spend my life doing what I "should" rather than what I want. I can define my life purpose. My career reflects my purpose. Give yourself one for each "no" to statements 3, 6, 9 and 12; and one for each "yes" to all others.
The higher your score, the more you're involved in activities that give you a sense of meaning, direction and satisfaction. You're honest with yourself, enjoy life, and are probably achieving your goals. Your various work, leisure and other activities reflect a unity of purpose.
A score of seven or lower suggests that your life has little meaning and you lack career goals or life goals. You may be bored, anxious, and aimless. To develop more meaning in life do some self-reflection.
Identify what's important to you. What does success mean to you? Don't try to live up to other's expectations and definitions of success. Learn how to say no politely. Consider how you'd change your life if you knew you had six months to live. If you would change jobs, return to school, complete a project, then get on with it! What's stopping you? Concentrate on the present. Don't take your life for granted. What do you really want to accomplish? Who do you want to be? State what you'd do if money didn't matter. If you're working at something that has no meaning just to pay the bills, you're making money more important than your sense of purpose. How could you make money doing what you enjoy? Ross, a former accountant, makes a lot making and marketing his pottery. Identify your purpose. Charlene's purpose is caring for animals. She's made this into her business - caring for pets during their families' vacations and walking dogs. Charles' passion is communicating. He's been a successful magazine editor, broadcaster, photographer and evangelist. To identify your purpose, look for themes that emerge from the foregoing exercises as well as these questions: What are your strengths and accomplishments? What do you want your colleagues to say about your contributions? What would you do if you were a billionaire? What activities absorbed you as a young child? What kind of person do you want to be five years from now? Who do you admire? What skills, interests and needs do you want to use in your ideal job? To clarify your mission, discuss themes with a friend. Write a mission statement describing your passion based on key themes. Research these occupations. Specify a goal that will enable you to attain your occupational preference. Plan toward achieving the goal. Be flexible; your goals may change as you get to know yourself better.
Purpose is a common denominator for success and failure. Knowing your purpose will give you courage to do what you've always longed to do. You'll be empowered to achieve your goals. It will be easier to risk, to manage your fear. You'll be able to change your life for the better.
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Please describe your situation or question in the space provided below. Your message CAN be longer than the window provided. ~ Carole Kanchier is an internationally syndicated columnist and principal of Questers, a career-consulting group. She has a PhD in career and counseling psychology from the University of Calgary and more than 20 years' experience as a psychologist, educator, trainer, author and management consultant. Email her at Questers@daretochange.com