Discovering your life’s calling is a long and sometimes arduous process, one dictated by your skills and inherent dispositions, necessitating plenty of trial and error to discover the calling that is sustainable and that you can truly enjoy. Needless to say, there are numerous considerations you need to take into account, including your education, your inherent skillset, and of course, whether or not the calling can make you happy in the long run.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some effective tips that can help you discover where your inherent inclinations lie, and allow you to pursue a career path that is fulfilling, and most importantly, rewarding in every sense of the word. Here are the steps you need to take.
Consider your passions first
A passion can become a career, but that doesn’t mean that it should, no matter how appealing the notion might feel at first sight. Note that doing what you love and turning your passion into a career are two very different things, as you can easily keep your passion as a hobby while doing a job you thoroughly enjoy.
On the other hand, if you orchestrate it right, you just might turn your passion into a lucrative career, one that you will enjoy every single day. The first step would be to discover the things that move you, but would also make a profound impact on the lives of others. Before you consider anything else, consider a career in humanitarianism.
Appeal to the humanitarian in you
Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
So, why consider a humanitarian calling first? Because the traditional process of discovering your life’s calling emphasizes personal gain and materialistic wealth as the two main criteria. But these methods fail to include the long-term sense of self-accomplishment. In other words, are you able and willing to build a legacy by helping others? It’s important to assess whether or not you are a humanitarian within before you start considering the numerous blue or white collar industries.
Who knows, perhaps you will discover that your true calling lies in helping others in your area as a professional independent support worker that enables those in need to lead happier, more proactive lives. But beyond altruism itself, the personal care and support industry is growing around the world, creating a stable environment for professional growth and financial security. You can build a lucrative career and do good, so consider whether or not there is a humanitarian in you before you consider marketing, accounting, and other traditional vocations.
Make a list of your strengths and interests
To help you decide and gauge your true strengths and potential, it’s important that you put all of your interests and traits on a piece of paper. Noting down the things you’re good at along with things that make you happy while at the same time noting potential weaknesses and cons can help you obtain a bird’s-eye overview of your current situation, and assess the long-term viability of a career path.
Keep in mind that just because an industry shows promise and growth doesn’t mean that it’s the right fit for you in the long run, as there are numerous personal and professional factors you will have to take into account. For example, some industries will require of you to constantly learn and grow your knowledge base in order to keep up with the times. You will need to assess whether or not you want to dedicate your future to your career, or if you would rather have a stable job while devoting the majority of your time to family, friends, and hobbies.
Obtain in-depth information about the field
Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash
As with any great decision in your life, this one should be supported by research. There is no need to risk your future and livelihood on a hunch, but instead be sure to research the potential industry thoroughly, and most importantly, obtain valuable insights from experienced individuals.
Nowadays, you can reach out to industry professionals via email or social media to inquire about all of the subtle nuances of the field you’re interested in, and thus make a more informed decision without wasting time on unpaid internships. Once you have all of the information in your hands, you can then work towards obtaining the necessary qualifications, and immediately apply for a paid position.
Final thoughts
Discovering your ideal career path requires careful planning and preparation, and the decision should not be driven solely by your inherent passions. Instead, you should put these essential considerations into perspective to figure out whether an industry is right for you, and most importantly, where your true calling lies.