Is your career helping you or hurting you? The 5 essential steps you can take today to answer your life’s calling.

Your job may be hurting you more than you know. Do you genuinely enjoy your work? Are you eagerly finding ways to improve? Do you have a fire that burns inside you that you simply cannot put out? If you answered no to any of these questions, you may need to reassess where you currently are in your life’s work. You see, if we are not truly living to our passions, we may be hurting ourselves and others along the way. When a leader’s words, emotions, and actions do not align, we as followers feel like we are dealing with a fraud, someone living to a false reality. We begin to pull back, not fully trusting our leader and their intentions to lead the team. Now, what happens when we see a leader passionately pursuing their genuine, authentic calling? It becomes contagious! We start to believe that anything is possible. As leaders, we must be genuine in all that we do, instilling in our people an unwavering belief that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Are you ready to be called to your life’s work? Are you committed to finding yourself? Now is the time! Here are the 5 steps you can start taking today to help find your calling.

Be honest with yourself
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As stated by one of the greatest rock musicians of all time, Kurt Cobain once said “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.”  It is a complete waste of time to not live to who you were meant to become. You were meant to become great! If we lie to ourselves, we are only delaying our truth. The truth will always prevail, why not face it head-on? Take hold of it, own it with all that you are! Be bold and face reality! Nelson Mandela, one of South Africa’s greatest leaders said, “courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” Triumph over your fears and insecurities! Be yourself!

Get out of your comfort zone; experience new things

In my life, I have had the privilege of experiencing many new opportunities that have led me to finding my true self. I have been able to travel to China, Panama, and 5 countries within Central Europe. I have built hiking trails in the remote areas of Colorado’s mountains, studied Mountain Lions, worked in sustainable agriculture, golf course management, and even had one of the most interesting summers of my life getting the chance to sell books door-to-door halfway across the United States. I never would have found myself if I was not willing to experience new things and get out of my comfort zone. This has allowed me to experience the good and bad sides of life. It has taken me on an emotional roller coaster, guiding me through the ups and downs along the way. So, I ask you this, what are you doing to get out of your comfort zone?

Ask yourself the tough questions

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” These words ring true in Matthew 7:7 from the bible 2,000 years ago as much then, as they do now. It all starts with us asking ourselves difficult questions. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself today to help get you closer to your calling:

1. What would you do, knowing that it would cost you everything?
2. What brings you joy?
3. What is holding you back from where you currently are?
4. What is important to you?
5. What activities do you tend to avoid at all costs?
6. What is one skill you can do better than most others?

Reflect on feelings from the past

Understanding our emotions in the circumstances and experiences we put ourselves in gives us a grasp of who we are. It helps us realize the decisions we make, the joy we have experienced, the sadness we have had to endure.  As you reflect, what made you feel that way at that moment? What was the environment around you like? Identifying our emotions help us discover our truth, calling us to live authentically. Take the time to reflect today! Make it a habit!

Find where you belong

One of humanity's greatest desires is to find where we belong; to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. You belong to a higher purpose; a calling. This calling is found deep within you, in your most inner self. Will you do what it takes to find yourself? Will you answer the call?
 
In everything that you do, be your most genuine, authentic self! Face your truth and be honest with all that you are. Once we ask ourselves the deep questions, we begin to uncover where we belong; what we were meant for. Do yourself and others the favor and start answering your call! We need you now more than ever!

Genuinely,

Carl