On today's (June 28/10) Career Success Radio show, the theme and ensuing question posed was, "What is my favourite strategy to help people find or follow their passion and purpose?" I'll share here and expand on what I talked about briefly on the show (along with the many guests of the "Global Round Table"). (The recorded show is available at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/careercommunique).
Keith asked me to reiterate a bit about me and my professional experience in this field:
My background has been facilitating Personal Development and Career Development workshops with government funded employment centres in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley areas of South West B.C., Canada for the last 15 years. (The last few years have been as a freelancer/contractor, which has been amazing!) These centres provide employment services/programs for people who are unemployed or underemployed (meaning working 20 hours per week or less). In addition, I do private and corporate facilitation, which I started prior to being in the career field.
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To paraphrase Ryan Ray, (wonderful guest speaker on the show), he mentioned that sometimes unemployment can lead to amazing opportunities, which I completely agree with. So often in our work-life it's like we've been running on a treadmill, with little time to stop, get off, re-examine and evaluate where we're at and if it's still where we want to be. While transition and unemployment can initially feel frustrating and challenging, it can also be a time of great self-renewal and opportunity.
The question: "What is your favourite strategy to help people find or follow their passion and purpose?"
The answers:
For people wanting to follow their purpose there are a few strategies:
1) Reframe negative thinking. What are the negative thoughts holding you back? Are you practicing positive affirmations or negative self-talk and sabotage?
In addition, sometimes our dreams and passions may not always seem rational to us. Our analytical mind comes up with "what-ifs" and tries to rationalize ourselves out of doing the very thing we'd love to do. Being still enough to listen to your intuition and exercise some "right-brained", creative thinking can be extremely beneficial.
Sometimes you might be thinking, well, my idea is simply not realistic so I may as well forget it. However, we have to look at the difference between being realistic vs. being practical. To give you an idea of what I mean, here's a quote I love from Richard Nelson Bolles, author of the bestseller, "What Color is Your Parachute":
"One of the saddest lines is 'Oh come now--be realistic.' The best parts of this world were not fashioned by those who were realistic. They were fashioned by those who dared to look hard at their wishes and gave them horses to ride."
2) Uncover any negative emotions (i.e. FEAR, doubt, worry, embarrassment of what others will think, etc.) and face them square in the face and then let them go. When you have negative thinking and/or negative emotions, what actions do you think that will lead to? You got it....probably negative in some form or fashion! Negativity begets negativity, so how can you turn it around? It's amazing how easy it is to get on a negative bandwagon, and how challenging it can be to stay positive while exploring a move to follow your passion. So that's my challenge to you! Reframe negative emotions with more positive ones. If you're not there yet, a great start is to feel hope...that will lead the way. And this isn't something you practice/do for a little bit and then give up or think, "Why bother?" You have to be persistent! I think fear and doubt can be complete dream killers. Do you want your dream dead? Or alive? It's up to you. It's your choice.
3) Take positive, intuitive, and creative action.
What can you do to bring you closer to creating and living your dream RIGHT NOW? (Whether your positive action is emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual. Any of them is good! Go with what you feel. Let your intuition and your creative illuminations be your guide.)
What small steps can you take to put you on the right path, facing the right direction....RIGHT NOW? Reading this blog posting this far is a step. Following your intuition is a step. The people, places, emails, internet pages, media, mail...everything, that you are drawn is for a reason. Pay attention to everything you are paying attention to! If it feels right and good, and is reaping great results, keep doing what you're doing. If something feels wrong, take a positive shift. Find a support network, even a buddy or two, to talk with as you are transitioning. Connect with people who are unconditionally supportive and who cheer you along your journey of life-changing, evolved, and positive steps.
For people wanting to find their purpose:
I would suggest all of the above! :)
Then, after having had a good workout of your right brain, I would suggest next exercising your left more, by taking stock of who you are and what you love to do, at this very moment in time. These assessments can be of your personality, values, needs, wants, purpose, passion, meaning, and skills (those that you do well and those you would love to use, or would enjoy if you could.)
To help in this process, many assessments can be found for free on the Internet, as well as in the library or local employment centres. (Please note, this is written from a North American perspective.) For one-to-one paid support there are a lot of great, qualified career coaches around the globe, who provide service by phone, virtually, or in-person. (Due diligence task: always check credentials.)
From there, you can do research on the various occupations of interest through research of the industry, related companies, media coverage, job descriptions, visits, etc. Utilize social media, as soon as possible, to share professionally relevant information with others and build relationships with potentially partnering individuals, hiring companies and interesting, inspiring people in general! Network, network, network. Tweet, email, phone. Get out there and talk to real live people. Conduct information interviews. Go to relevant conferences. Learn about about your dreams and passions from other people who are living them. Ask if they would mind sharing with you how they began their journey. The results can be inspiring and fascinating!
Learn about your local labour market and what the current demands and supply are. Where are any gaps in supply (service or product)? In what areas does the demand/need meet your passions? How can you fill gaps and needs with your passions and pursuits?
Create the new story of your life. Create it while you're living it. Live your passion!
Brenda
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