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Is A Career a Calling or Choice?
by: Michelle L. Casto,
M.Ed.
How much of our career path is destiny and how much is free will?
In my opinion, it is 50/50. We are given a life map at the beginning
of our lives, and there are things we are meant to learn, people we
are meant to meet, work we are meant to perform. But many of us are
not tuned into ourselves and the signs that are presented to us. We
often miss important information, and miss out on those lessons,
people, and jobs.
The use of free will comes about when we are presented with
options. Choices are really curves in our path. We can choose to
take the long route, or the quicker, easier route. No path is
better, it just impacts how quickly we move along our route, but
remember: when climbing the mountain of self discovery, taking the
long, hard, scenic route can be a rather enjoyable, enlightening
experience.
Confucius once said, "Choose a career you love and you will never
work another day in your life." If you think about this, what a
different experience we could have in our work lives. If we actually
loved the work we were doing, it wouldn't seem so much like our
traditional concept of work (drudgery/pain). Think about it! How
many jobs have you had that you dreaded going to? What are some of
the differences between a job, a career, and your life's work? Let's
define it.
A job is something you get paid to do (money is the primary
motivation). It is easy to perform because there is not much
challenge, and you will eventually find other work to do.
It may or may not fully engage you. Spirit may or may not be
present.
A career is something you get paid to do that is viewed as a
profession (status or identity is the motivation). It may provide
more challenge, but after a while, you may get burned out, and
choose to stop doing it.
It may or may not fully engage you. Spirit may or may not be
present.
Your life's work is something you do whether you get paid for it
or not (your soul's need for expression is the motivation). There is
plenty of challenge and personal meaning. You will always want to do
it.
It definitely fully engages you. Spirit is present.
Remember that a job can get you started toward your life's work.
In fact, jobs provide the very important element of exposure to
different kinds of industries. Take for example, a woman who started
out working in a department store as a clerk, who moved into a
management position, and finally created her life's work as an
independent contractor who trains others in customer service skills.
Get Smart!
If everyone in the world could create their life's work (and they
can!)-if everyone could find what they were meant to do in life, how
much happier and fulfilled we all would be!
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About The Author
Michelle L. Casto is a whole life coach, speaker, and
author of Get Smart! About Modern Romantic Relationships, Get
Smart! About Modern Career Development, and Get Smart! About
Modern Stress Management. Her coaching practice is Brightlight
Coaching, she helps people come up with bright ideas for their
life and empowers them to freely shine their bright light to
the world. Contact her for a free 30 minute coaching session:
http://www.getsmartseries.com/
and http://www.brightlightcoach.com/
coach@getsmartseries.com
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