Simple Instructions for How to do What You Love

Discovering or identifying what you love to do is sometimes difficult.  It is right in front of our noses and we can't see it.

I met a woman last night who said to me "I know it sound frivolous, but I just want a job that I love doing". 

There's nothing frivolous about this.  We can have a job we love or at least like a lot, if we are doing things and using talents we enjoy. 

Here are the instructions (for those who read instructions):

1. Think about the times in your life you felt happy or content.  What were you doing?  Keep thinking and write it all down.

Wait a day or so and then review the listing and look for re-occurring patterns, themes, things

Brainstorm with a creative friend, ways you could make money doing these things

Research the labor market for similar sounding jobs (use O*Net and Indeed)

Make another list of these jobs/occupations

Identify companies that hire these jobs

Network to find out more about the companies

This is about the journey mostly, not the destination.  What will you learn about yourself in the process of exploring these opportunities?

Comments

[Hannah Morgan]

Carol, this is exactly what I am talking about! You found a passion and found a way to make it happen. This is probably characteristic of how you approach any problem, personally or professionally, there's no stopping you. Thanks for the comment.

[Carol White Llewellyn, The Finger Lakes Travel Maven]

When I first started my job at a trade association many years ago, I found that I didn't enjoy my job as much as I wanted to. I found myself asking, "What do I WANT to do?"

I found myself responding "I want to play all day long." A bit shocking for an adult!

So then I asked "What is it I do now that feels like play?"

As a result of that question, I signed up for advertising design courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Then I volunteered to work on projects I knew I'd enjoy, in addition to my normal role. As a result, my creativity blossomed and was noticed, I was promoted, and my role at the organization shifted into doing things I loved to do. I got to "play all day long," to my company's benefit.