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Don't Be the Right Person
in the Wrong Job
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As a career counselor and a corporate trainer, I see so many people do what they think they're supposed to do, what others told them they should do, what they think will make them lots of money, what they fell into or was easy. I see too many people trapped in a lifetime of career unhappiness as a result - they're the right people in the wrong jobs!
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You know you're the right person in the right job when you love all the hard work that goes with it. Each of us has a unique blending of skills, interests, personality and values that can guide us in finding our vocation or career. The "best match" is a career that allows you to be yourself. When Leonardo da Vinci was asked to name his greatest accomplishment, he answered, "Leonardo da Vinci".
Those who find happiness in their careers share four common characteristics:
1. Inner Direction
They know themselves well - they trust their instincts. They are not so quick to believe well-meaning friends or family who say, "You can't do that"! Ask yourself:
-What are my special talents? What are my areas of excellence?
-What is it I love to do?
-What comes easy to me but is difficult for someone else?
These are your unique selling points (USPs) - your areas of competitive advantage!
2. Passionate desire for something.
They saw a vision of what they wanted to do - of what they wanted to attain or accomplish in their lives. Ask yourself:
-What do I want out of life?
-How will I know when I get it?
That passionate desire or dream is critical. It's like the "gas that keeps the car going". Being what we want to be and doing what we want to do with our life doesn't just happen. Dreams are made real one step at a time over the long haul. From the first to the last, you will need focus, persistence, and the ability to keep in sight the vision of what you are slowly creating. Get excited about your dream!
3. Committed to personal excellence.
They stretched beyond their "comfort zone" and grew. They acquired new skills and knowledge, keeping up with change. Unless you attempt to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. Life is about challenges - and growing. In life you will always be faced with opportunities brilliantly disguised as problems.
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4. Took action and refused to fail.
I'm not saying they didn't fail, but they looked upon their failures as learning experiences and persisted in pursuing their goal. Alot of people I see who are successful and happy in their careers aren't people who had business contacts or were Rhodes scholars or computer whiz kids. They believed they could "do it" - they reached a little higher and they succeeded in achieving their goals (sometimes against incredible odds). I believe in the power of believing in yourself.
Envision your dream and then act on it! That is the last and most critical element. Will Rogers once said, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you sit there."
How can you begin to develop your decision-making style and your ability to make creative, sound decisions? Start with small decisions and pay attention to what happens and learn from your "mistakes." You will then begin to build up experience and the wisdom to make "good" decisions for yourself - for your career and your life.
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