How on earth though, do you even begin to answer such a question? How about by asking yourself another question? If I were to die tomorrow, what would I most regret not having done?
Just think about that for a second, because while it might sound like rather a morbid question, it is in fact a great motivator. You see, what happens in life is that, even though we know in our heads that our time here on Earth is limited, in our hearts few of us really accept it. We take each day pretty much for granted and just expect that there will be plenty more tomorrows. If we waste a few more days, weeks, months years or even decades doing stuff that doesn't have us dancing on the ceiling, what the hey there's always tomorrow.
The biggest problem with that way of living can best be expressed in one little word regret. And the problem with regret is that it doesn't just catch up with us on our deathbeds. It can be there at every turn. How often do you hear yourself saying, I wish or If only It can turn you into a bitter, moaning and very unhappy person.
As they say though, this is no dress rehearsal, it's the REAL DEAL. It's our one and only chance and only we can take life by the scruff of the neck, be brave, be bold and follow what is truly in our hearts.
Work plays a huge part in our lives and life really is too short to be spending so much of it doing something that doesn't set us alight. How many more Sunday evenings do you want to waste in the dread of Monday morning? How many more mornings do you want to drag yourself out of bed feeling as though there is huge weight inside of you? No more? Then go grab yourself a pen and a piece of paper, find somewhere quiet to sit and work your way through the following questions.
Don't restrict yourself in your answers, just let rip they are for your eyes only and nobody else opinion matters a jot. Especially at this point, don't restrict yourself to thinking about your professional life. If your honest answer to a question involves an aspect of your current or past job, then great but don't force it. Just dig deep, be perfectly honest with yourself and forget completely about what you think is possible.
1. What makes you feel really excited and energized?
2. What makes you feel really happy?
3. What activities do you most enjoy?
4. What is it that you could do all day long without every getting bored?
5. Which of your past experiences were most meaningful or significant, and why?
6. If you could do absolutely anything, had unlimited resources and knew you couldn't fail, what would you do?
7. If you had one hour on prime TV to talk about anything you wanted, what subject would you choose?
8. Assuming that we were all put here to address a particular issue or problem in the world, what were you born to address?
9. What are the values that you most cherish?
10. If you were to die tomorrow, what is it that you would most regret not having done?
From your answers to the questions, you will likely know, what you want to be and what job you really want. From here, you will find your true passion.
Wilson Chua Intergity Career Transitions www.integritycareertransitions.com 750 South Shipyard Drive, Suite 300, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 Toll Free: 1-302-442-4100 Tel. No.: (302) 504-9960
Tags: career, career transition, career counseling