WHAT YOU’RE DOING IS PROBABLY NOT YOUR VOCATION
Read time: 5 minutes
Welcome to My Musings, a (usually) weekly newsletter where I share what’s been impacting me lately, what I’ve been thinking about, and actionable ideas to help you navigate the career and life transitions that might be coming up for you.
Today:
Musing: Your true calling is right around the corner. You just have to focus on what you’re doing a little less.
Concept: The Wanderjahr.
Offer: The November Work with Purpose Group Program is fast approaching. It’s a great chance to work and grow with like-minded folks around your career and what you can do to feel more alive in it. Sign up here, or, read on to find out more.
What you’re doing for work is probably not your vocation
How many people do you know that are doing the same work they were doing 10 years ago? Five years ago? Two years ago?
I’ll bet there might be a few in the latter two categories — but probably none in the 10-year bucket.
Why is that?
Picture it like this: You’re at your office, freezing cold, typing away, and you put socks on your hands because you have gloves. They keep you warm, but they’re not designed for the job (or really any job).
That’s what one’s current work often feels like—it sort of fits, but it’s not really made for me. I’m still looking for the ‘gloves’ that are meant to do the work.
And, research shows that modern workers tend to switch careers — whether it be a job change or full-out new profession — more often and after shorter periods than their parents.
People want, need and crave change in their working lives. You, me, your uncle — despite it being terrifying at the worst of times, change is necessary and inevitable. And there is a very high likelihood that it will come for your job eventually, too.
Moving closer to your vocation
“Thanks, Jordan. Really uplifting.”
Yes, I know. That sounds shitty.
But, it doesn’t have to be.
Because every time there is a career change on the horizon, whether we choose to make it or it is foisted upon us, we have the chance to use that as an opportunity to move into (or at least closer to) vocation.
What is vocation?
Many lawyers, executives and other professional leaders I speak with will say, “I am good at what I do, but I’m not sure it’s what I’m meant to do.” Or, in other words — they are wondering what life is calling on them to do.
The word “vocation” comes from the Latin vox, meaning “voice.”
And, fundamentally, that is what vocation is — our expression of our truest voice. But vocation also has a voice. It calls to us — and it’s on us to respond to that calling.
Vocation is really an invitation to listen for, hear and respond to what our life is calling on us to do and to be in our work. It has purpose. It has meaning. And, ideally, it can make you a living too.
Why choose a vocation over a job?
I know. This sounds so idealistic. Why would anyone buy into this?
But, hear me out. Let’s say you are a line cook at McDonalds. Not the best job, not the worst job. Rote, predictable. Maybe you love it, maybe you hate it. But, I am willing to bet, there are some things that you a) like about the work and b) are good at in the work.
What are they?
OK, great. So, you like working at a fast pace. You are good at handling demanding customers. You enjoy working with a team. You like having a manager to be accountable to.
What can you learn from that?
A whole bunch.
Vocation isn’t one thing.
Those skills might very well be giving you hints as to what your calling is. For instance, just because an artist is a skilled painter who loves to paint, doesn’t mean that their calling is in painting — it might be in another field that relies on the same principles of the creative act, but in a different way.
Vocation requires listening.
If you don’t pay close attention to what you are doing, day in and day out, you’re likely not going to learn much about what it is that lights you up and what work (or parts of work) make you feel alive. You need to listen carefully to test what other roles, jobs, careers or professions draw on those same skills, and that light you up in the same way. That listening extends to how you feel when you think of or hear of other roles, jobs, professions or careers that could be a good fit for you. Is the excitement you feel about being a woodworker who makes handcrafted furniture for high-end furniture stores undeniable? OK. That might be something to listen to (regardless of how unrealistic it might sound right now).
Vocation can change.
In other words, vocation is not permanent. That’s because people change, not vocations. Gandhi was a lawyer for many years before he began his mission in non-violent resistance and change-making in India under British rule. The skill and passion he had in both was justice and being of service. But, he changed — he saw that he needed to shed his former life to live one that more deeply reflected his values and his skills.
Or, take me — just like Gandhi (kidding), I was a lawyer as well — I loved the relationships, networking and wordsmithing. I also used to love arguing. I changed over time, and wanted to keep most of what I enjoyed, but work in a more positive way with people. So, now, I’m a coach and mentor to lawyers and other professionals who are looking for more in their careers. I discovered a new vocation, keeping the skills and elements I loved from my former role while discarding the ones that didn’t serve me anymore.It’s that time of year again.
How to discover your Calling
Find a quiet spot where you won’t be bothered for 20 minutes.
Sit down.
Get a pen and some paper (or, maybe, do this before you sit down). Anyhoo…
Now, spend some time ideating on the following:
What do I love about my work?
What am I good at in my work?
How do I know I like it and am good at it?
If I were to allow myself to really fantasize, what would my life look like if I was putting these skills to work every day?
What have I learned from this exercise?
What is one thing I can do about it now?
Or, get in touch and we can talk about it. I coach people to move closer towards their calling from the work they are doing now through mentorship, creativity and practice.
Quote of the Week:
In reading Percy Walker’s “The Moviegoer”, the main character is spending some time in his “wanderjahr”. Wanderjahr is the concept of a year of travel taken by a young person after school, or between jobs. It’s a time for exploration, experimentation and, often, finding one’s self.
To quote Mark Twain, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts."
The idea that traveling can open our minds to not only change our worldviews, but also, allow us to be more expansive in our ideas around what we do is powerful.
And, these days, you don’t necessarily even need to leave home.
How can you explore the world, through actual travel or otherwise, to broaden your horizons and start to find more possibility?
Working with Purpose Group Coaching Program
Ever wonder - what is my purpose?
Do you have indecision about your career?
Do you know what you want and like to do, but are stuck figuring out how?
Or, do you love what you do, but are tired of sacrificing the things that make you, "you", in order to keep up with work?
I get it.
That’s why, I am launching my first Working with Purpose group program in the November (yes, that is soon).
Over a period of 6 weeks, you'll reconnect with parts of yourself that you may have left behind over the years as you've built your career. You'll re-envision your life and the role that work plays within it, and, you'll build strong and resilient habits to stave off burn out and feel a deeper sense of purpose and connection to your work and your self.
Through the power of community and a combination of:
1. virtual 1-on-1 sessions and group calls
2. a 24/7 chat group for discussion, questions and continued shared insights
3. a custom-built, exclusive development plan that includes regular readings, activities and practices to foster awareness and insight and growth
you'll emerge from this program with a clear vision and strategy to bring more satisfaction, fulfillment and aliveness to your work and improved alignment with your values.
This program is designed for high-achieving professionals who are questioning their current path, feeling unfulfilled despite their achievements, or struggling with burnout. It’s for those who love what they do but feel overwhelmed by the demands of balancing their career with their personal life. If you’re seeking clarity, deeper fulfillment, and a way to align your work with your core values, the Working with Purpose Program offers a supportive community to help you reconnect with your purpose and take meaningful action.
Think that includes you? Take the next step and fill out this survey.
Still not sure? I'll be hosting a FREE 30-minute group call about the Program on September 19 at 12:00 pm EST. Email me if you want to join and you'll receive a link.
Want to Dive Deeper?
I empower leaders to become mentors, mentees to be leaders, and organizations to foster a culture of mentorship. Through that work, folks uncover their deeper purpose, navigate challenging transitions, and answer the call to vocation.
If you’d like to explore what’s coming up for you, get in touch.
I hope this newsletter has been helpful. See you next week!
