Right now, I have a job (that I enjoy) recruiting the future employees of a call center for a travel company. My job does not ignite all the passions living within me, and that's okay!
Before this job, I had a career that turned into a job. I am passionate about servant-based and empathetic leadership, leading for creativity, and building teams that do great things with laser focus. That's the career I want to make for myself. My previous employer needed me to do a job. When what you think is your "career" is, in fact, a job, it's time to re-evaluate.
A job that you’re passionate about, willing to sacrifice everything for, and helps you build your "something bigger" is a career.
No one gives you a career. No one says and can indeed mean, "start your career with us." Only you can make your career.
In previous posts I've written about the importance of stories, the legacy you want to carry forward, and the change you seek to make. Consider reading these entries. The process of identifying who you are and who you can become, your career, starts with you and your self-reflection.
When an agent tells you that they can help build your career - they can't. Only you can make your career.
When a job does not align with your passions and your "something bigger," it's no longer your career. It's a job.
When your career no longer fulfills you - stop, leave, and get a job.
When you feel the work given to you aligns with your innermost passions, you've found a career.
No one gave you to freedom to make or start your career. You gave yourself that freedom. People give you the privilege of being paid for what you do. Employers want passionate and engaged people. Employers want to:
Believe you are someone like them who does the work they need.
See you showing up each day ready to serve the others.
Believe what you believe.
As for me, I am happy to have a job. Outside of my work, I spend each day learning, writing and reading and I'll continue to do that long after anybody cares to read what I have to say, because, I'm living my vocation. Stay tuned.
Inspiration for this article came from a video by Elizabeth Gilbert. The video is part of a series produced by Plus Acumen. You can easily access the course here: http://bit.ly/Livewithoutfear.