Do you think we all have a career that is meant for us? Is there a perfect job? And does this change with time?
What would be considered a perfect job would be according to what our highest values, our true priorities are. This is what is most important and meaningful to us.
It will also be something in which we excel and which we are most spontaneously inspired to do, something that is meaningful to us, that will contribute to the world around us. People go to work to fulfil their highest values – what is most important to them. If a career fulfils these highest values, you will be internally called to achieve.
Because our list or priorities or hierarchy of values can evolve through time, what inspires us can also evolve.
Do you have tips on a wish list for what would be considered a dream job?
It is wiser to focus on what is truly most meaningful to you and diligently pursue that career in a methodical and strategic manner.
Even if you have to temporarily work in an alternative or closely related field in the meantime, it is better to work your way towards fulfilling what it is that is truly meaningful to you.
Start with what you know and let your knowledge grow as you refine your master plan to create or locate the career you truly want. A life plan can include a career plan/business plan. Also, meet with others who have been doing what you would love to do for feedback and guidance.
How do you know whether feelings of unease regarding your job are just boredom, not dissatisfaction?
If you are not inspired by your daily work, you will feel unfulfilled. Anything in your daily job duties or description or your position that you cannot see as highly connected to your highest values will drain and frustrate you.
Ask yourself every three months: “How specifically will this particular job responsibility help me fulfil my highest values or whatever is most important to me?”
You become engaged and present and productive when you can see how what you are doing is meaningful and helping you fulfil your most inspired dreams and serve others. When you can’t wait to get up in the morning and deliver your service, people can’t wait to receive that.
How can unhappiness in a job affect our entire lives?
When we are not engaged and fulfilled in our careers, we become distressed and distracted and we regress into and activate our more primitive brain functions.
We become vulnerable to immediately gratifying, addictive or consumer-oriented behaviours. If you don’t fill your day with high priority actions that inspire you, your life becomes filled with low-priority distractions that don’t.
What are the steps to finding a job in the field that you love?
Define clearly what is truly most important to you, what you spontaneously love to do that also serves others, something where your inspirations match others’ needs.
You can complete the Demartini Value Determination Process (www.drdemartini.com) to help you identify what you truly value and to find careers that align most with what shows to be your highest values.
When weighing up leaving one job for another, what is the checklist of pros and cons?
Link whatever you are doing to what you love as you plan for your next career step. It is wise to either find what you love doing through delegating or love what you do through linking.
1. Clearly decide your new career path.
2. Ask yourself how your present job is going to assist you with your new career. Do this 20 times until you understand your answer.
3. Take small daily actions that will move you one step closer to your new dream career.
4. Document what worked and didn’t work each day.
5. Document what you are grateful for each day to build momentum.
What is a mantra to call on in times of job dissatisfaction?
Ask yourself: How specifically is what I am doing helping me fulfil what is truly most important in my life – my primary mission?
How are these responsibilities in the way and not in my way? How are they preparing me for what is next in my inspiring new career?
Who am I getting to connect with and what am I learning that is important for what I need to fulfil my next career role?
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Dr Demartini is a human behaviour specialist and the founder of the Demartini Institute. See www.drdemartini.com.
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