Five Ways To Find Your Heart's Desire At Work

By Author: Mark Eyre
Total Articles: 8
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The need to be productive is a universal human need. We are programmed with the need to make our imprint on the world, and 'work' is a significant aspect of this. We endeavour to do tasks and achieve tasks, whether or not we're actually remunerated to do so.

However, there's an assumption about work that sums up the mentality of many in the developed world. It is this - we are not paid to do work that we find enjoyable. After all, if we do enjoy it, then it isn't work. We get paid precisely because it isn't fulfilling! Remember the Mars chocolate advert, 'a Mars a day helps you work, rest and play'. Ah, so work can't be play then.

given this assumption, we believe that work - at best - can be alright. We give up on the possibility that it could be an uplifting, enjoyable experience. So we engage with the world of work, and lose sight of what it is we would love to do. Instead, we take the 'real world' point of view, and work becomes how we make a living, pay debts, support our loved ones, plan our old age, and so on.

It is no surprise then that lots of people end up in some kind of career crisis, hating ...
... what they do but not knowing what to do instead, and not believing there is anything better out there.

I believe that good career decisions need to be made from the heart rather than the head. After all, did you decide to have kids with your head or your heart? Did you decide who to marry with your head or your heart? Clearly the head should have a say, but your heart should make the decision! Your head is used best in working out how your decision can be made to work.

Trouble is, we become so disengaged from our heart when it comes to our job. So how can we re-engage it with our work, and so move toward doing work we love, or at least find enjoyable, while earning a living? Here are five ways you can begin to do this.

1. Revisit your child view

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? A policeman? Nurse? Racing driver? Vet? More significantly, why did you want to be that person? Children answer this question from their heart and emotions, not their head. So remembering your childhood answer will help you to identify what your heart was attempting to tell you.

To give you an example, I wanted to be a fireman when I was a boy. Now, some of my interest was the idea of doing something brave, and being viewed as a hero. Nothing wrong with this! However, the other reasons were more interesting. The idea of helping other people to avoid danger, and to put their fires out. That, in a sense, is what I do now - I work with people to help them tackle the fires in their work and lives that stop them from being productive and contented. If you think through what was behind your answer, you might discover some clues to the sort of work you would like to be doing now.

2. Where do you lose track of time?

Do you recall when you were last doing a task and lost all track of time? You suddenly realise three hours have passed since you last looked at your watch. Clearly, you were enjoying what you were doing, so what was it? What skills were you using? The task might not have been actual work, but that doesn't matter.

Answering these questions will give you clues to the types of work you might love.

3. What are your hobbies?

What are you doing in your recreation time that others might regard as 'work' but which you would happily do for nothing? Indeed, you do it for nothing! Some people do their 'paid jobs' and then do things like organise celebration parties, or work on accounts or in the back garden. You might enjoy car repairs, baby-sitting, or helping other people with their issues. What is it you do for nothing, and why? Again, this will give you a clearer idea of where your heart wants to be engaged.

4. What makes you feel good?

Identify things you've achieved in your life that you felt good about, either at the time or in hindsight. You are likely to want these things in your employment if you can find work that includes them. Do you feel good when you are organising people to reach a common goal? If so, working with people in a team, or even as team leader, might appeal to you. Do you enjoy helping others work through their financial issues? The things you like doing, and that make you feel great, are ideal tasks to do at work. They are likely to be aligned with your personal values too.

5. Listen to what others say you're good at

Finally, if you really are struggling to answer the questions yourself, what is it that other people always say you're good at? Remember phrases like this? "He's a great organiser, he always knows what he's doing". "She's great with figures". "Sam is brilliant at talking to groups of people". Whatever this is for you, remember it - it's a talent you have, and for many people a talent is where their heart is likely to lie. You might have a reputation for being creative despite your role having little scope for this.

Also remember, these could be skills your family and friends tell you you're great at - it doesn't have to be in the workplace!

To summarise, if you want to connect to your heart when it comes to your job, start thinking about these five areas - they will say a lot about the types of work, employers and work cultures that would suit you. Doing this is really important. Work is more than fifty percent of most people's waking lives. If it's as high as that for you, then ignoring your heart is not a good idea!
 
Go reflect and connect...
I help people to connect with their own unique brilliance in work and life. For a free personal development newsletter, and a download of my 'Discover your career path' workbook, go to my website at www.brilliantfutures.net