Post by goldenboy on Sept 8, 2005 11:35:20 GMT 8
WHEN I GROW UP… NOW WHAT??
It easy for children to say what they want to be when they grow up. Everyone has passed through this stage. “when I grow up, I want to be a doctor,” “when I grow up I want to be lawyer,” “when I grow up I want to be businessman>” this is “when I grow up…..” statement sound too idealistic but it is possible. Many successful people who are now in the peak of their career have become who they always wanted to be.- through hard work, patience, determination and a positive attitude.
Still, not everyone can be as lucky as some people. There are people (most of whom are experienced adults), who have juggled and switched jobs here and there and yet have no direction of what they want to be. They have blurry vision of where they’re headed to and what purpose they in life. It is either they are working only for money’s sake or they really don’t have an idea of what to make of their lives and their careers.
Valerie Young( when I grow up), publisher of Changing Course, a bimonthly news letter for people who want to live life on purpose, work at what they love, and follow their own road, shares the following tips for those still don’t know what they want to be.
Make your career fit your life, not the other way around. “what do I want my life to look like?” this is the question you should ask your self first before you make a list of the kinds if work you want. However, redesigning your life won’t be easy. It may eliminate your career options and cause you to commit mistakes. But that’s part of the whole ordeal.
Young stressed. “ don’t confuse making a living with making a life.” Your career is just part of your life don’t let it run your life. Most of us may not have a concrete picture of what we want to be, but as long as we know what we want our life to look like, we’re in the right track.
Put happiness first, skills second. Young revealed that skills assessment tools tell you what you can do; but aptitude and your work experience reveal little about what you would be truly happy doing. Turn your passion. Most happy and successful people have turned their passion to successful business. Restaurants had a passion of food and cooking; best-selling authors loved making up stories; bookstore magnates were book lovers.
New skills can always be acquired, but it’s a whole lot harder to learn to be happy doing work you just don’t enjoy. You wont find success and fulfillment in what you do unless you’re happy doing it. This is when you wake up every morning and look forward to going to work. Impossible? As long as you love what you do, it is possible.
Look back to discover your future. what did you love most doing as a kid? Did you love building sand castles? Trade cards and comic books? Draw? Assemble toys and computers? Cross-stitch and handcrafts? Write stories?
Your child hood is a great place to search for clues to present day passion. What you love and enjoyed as a kid is crucial in having the life you want with out sacrificing your career. According to Barbara Sher, career councilor of I cloud do anything if only I knew What it Was, child hood offers “ the first most important clue to your life design, which is discovery of what you’ll be happiest doing and what you’ll best at.”
Go on a clue Hunt. Renowned mythology scholar Joseph Campbell says “ the way to find about your happiness is to keep your mind those moments when you feel most happy, when you’re really happy- not excited, not just thrilled, but deeply happy”
Aside from the things that you enjoyed doing as a child, what you enjoy and are extremely interested in your present life is so crucial. These will give you clues on what areas you would succeed in. brainstorm on a list of all the things that grab and hold your attention. Do you enjoy shopping for great bargain? Surfing the net? Reading the news paper? Exploring a museum? Cooking? Pay close attention to theses inner clues because this will help you to the life and career you’ve always wanted. As soon as you have settled on what you want to do, think of ways on how to get paid for doing it. Now that’s the right combination we’re looking for!
Enlarge your view. If you’re still not sure of where your interests lie, enlarge yur view. Young affirms that “ the best way to expand your thinking and your options is to step outside the confines of your day-to-day life and take more expansive view of the world.”
Don’t be afraid to try something new. You can enroll in a class that you’ve never tried before like gourmet cooking, creative writing, advertising or photography. Also, try reading magazines and publications outside your typical areas of interest or expertise. If you’re more of a women’s magazines reader, why don’t you try National Geographic or Asiaweek magazine? Aside from the interesting and well-written articles. Young say’s “the advertisement alone will open your eyes to a multitude of fascinating ways to earn a living.”
Show me the money. Nothing can kill a dream faster than money angst. You should not engage in a work which you do not enjoy doing just because of money. According to Michael Philips , author The seven Laws of Money, if the career of your dream come without any financial guarantees, Do it! Philips believes that “money will come when your doing the right thing” He explains this using the forward motion of steam engine, saying that “ Money is like steam; it comes from the interaction of fire (passion) and water (persistence) brought together for right circumstances, the engine.”
Now comes the hard part. After you’ve examined your life and uncovered your interests and the things you enjoyed doing and are passionate about, you have to ask your self the following questions: How can I make money ding what I love? How could you get paid to create a product or provide service related to your passion? How might you earn a living with others who shares your interests?
As long as you consider these tips, you will surely make the right decision. Always remember to follow your passion, do what you’ve always enjoyed doing and follow your road- to success, fulfillment , satisfaction and happiness.