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Lethal Life Calling
How to cut through the hocus pocus and focus on success
By Jody Urquhart
What is your calling in life? People talk about finding their life's calling
and the perfect job. However, while finding a job !career you're good at and
suited for is important, it is a very small piece of the puzzle.
So many people are waiting for the perfect job! career, when maybe there is
no such thing. People don't magically find meaningful work but they can find
meaning in their work. As Viktor Frankl says in Man's Search for Meaning,
"...everything can be taken from us but one thing, the last of human freedoms-to
choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances-to choose one's own
way:' Meaning and purpose on the job are internal motivators, so the good
news is you don't need to quit your job on Monday to find meaningful work.
People now go through an average of ten jobs in a lifetime-is every one going to
be a life's calling? There is nothing wrong with dreaming of a better future.
Work with what you have, because success is in the effort.
Success is in the Effort
Most people who say their work lacks purpose or substance complain it is
because of the job itself, the manager, or the work environment. All of these
factors are external elements and for the most part are out of their immediate
control. The solution to the problem lies in someone else's hands. So the first
step in finding meaning in work is to recognize that meaning comes from within.
It is impossible to find true meaning and purpose from the environment around
us. Instead, we can foster meaning from recognizing our strengths and the
contribution we make to the company and the community.
Powerful Resources
The following are powerful tools for tapping into the most important
resource anyone has-their own wisdom.
 | Don't give yourself the luxury of being mediocre. Many jobs, if they go
unchallenged, are designed for the mediocre. One of the most important
qualities of a successful businessperson is the belief that their abilities
and efforts reap results. |
| Realize that everything and everyone is important. All aspects of the job
(seemingly big or small) require your complete effort and attention. |
| Watch your standards. In order to make sure things are done right, we
often set standards. You may find people aim for these standards, when without
them it was possible to reach even higher. Don't restrict your own potential
and others. |
| Commit to the process, not just the result. Everyone is willing to be
successful, but not many are willing to make it happen. Success is in the
doing, not the dreaming. |
| Broaden your scope past today or next week. What will success look like
two, five, or ten years down the road? Be clear on this and keep it in your
mind. |
| Put every decision to the vision test. If it doesn't relate to your
overall vision, consider dropping it. |
| Presumptions cloud vision. A simple presumption blocks communication flow,
which is essential to keeping corporate vision alive. |
Work as a Reflection of Yourself
I often think people who have found their life calling are saying that their
work is a reflection of themselves. It fits their idea of who they are, their
values and how they see their future. In other words, it lines up with their
vision of themselves.
We can all have this kind of vision. Here are some concrete ways to help make
your work more of a reflection of yourself:
| The more work and effort you put in, the more the work becomes you. |
| How committed are you to your job? How can you strengthen that commitment? |
| Imagine you had to be controversial in your industry. What kind of
position would you take? What issue would you stand up for? Why? |
| Develop a voice in your company, get involved in something you believe in
(i.e. start an office recycling program). |
| Think about how your work fits your image of yourself, and judge your job
from the context of your whole life. For example, you may really wish you
could be a traveling salesperson, but could never spend that much time away
from your family. This balances your picture; otherwise, you may focus more on
the negative aspects. |
Put forth your best and you've already won.
Copyright 2001-2004 Jody Urquhart. All rights reserved. Author of
"Creating Meaningful Work," Jody Urquhart inspires audiences at meetings and
conventions to be more motivated and productive by nourishing the meaning of
their work. To contact Jody, email her at jody@jdoinspire.com. Visit her
website, www.idoinspire.com.
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