4 Clues to Discover Your Life’s Work
Every summer, my family would visit my grandparents in northern Michigan. They lived on a lake, so when I was young, I would go “treasure hunting” on the same small beach – the same beach I dug up the summer before. With a small children’s shovel in hand, I set out to get rich.
Of course, the only wealth I found was nice colorful rocks.
Finding the Treasure of meaningful work is much the same way – it takes digging and persistence. But you have to dig in the right place. Like a treasure map, these questions are “clues” to your treasure.
Answering these 4 questions can provide clues into your ideal work.
1. Where does your creativity come most alive?
Take a look back into your work history. When have you been the most alive? When has your creativity been released? When has your work just felt right?
Maybe your creativity comes most alive in a brainstorming session with others. Maybe you do your best work when you are alone and have space to think. We all have certain activities we can do that still leave us energized hours later.
2. What type of work would excite you the moment you woke up?
Have you ever woke up excited about your work? Have you ever had trouble sleeping at night because you were excited about work the next day?
If your initial response is “never” than you are in for a big surprise. It is possible. I have had nights when I couldn’t sleep because I was so excited about the work I was going to do the next day. I’m not the only one. If it were your choice, what type of work would keep you up at night (in a good way).
3. What energizes your emotional batteries?
We are all wired a certain way. There are certain things that re-fuel our batteries. Many working professionals are burned out with their work because they do not have a clue as to what type of activities re-fuel their batteries.
Some of us are fueled when we are around people. If we spend too much time alone, we can become depressed and drained. Others of us are drained with too much people interaction. We need some time alone to get our batteries recharged. Having space to think, write or read is what we need most. What energizes your emotional batteries?
4.Where does your genius meet the needs of the world?
Your core genius is hidden to you. Since you live in your own skin, you often miss what it is that you do best. You mistakenly believe that what comes easy to you comes easy to everyone else. That is just not the case.
You have talents that when combined with the world’s needs make a powerful combination. It’s the place where magic happens. You do what you do best and you meet the deep needs of others. What are your top talents? How can they meet the needs that others have?
Chad Pfeifer 