How would you like to identify your dream job?
3 steps to help find out
Have you ever felt this way . . . are you tired of your job and burned out or have you simply run out of energy for it? Or maybe you want another job, but need to earn money and thus feel trapped in your line of work? But it’s hard to imagine any other job you could qualify for. Right?
This is good news!
When you lose energy in one direction, it is because it is time to move in another!
So how do you figure out what else you could or want to do?
This is a subject that can be great fodder for coaching (of course) but here are a few things you can do for yourself to help you zero in. Total honesty with yourself and a willingness to take the time to deeply explore are the only requirements.
1—Catalog your “Likes”
Write up those aspects of your current and former jobs (keep them brief) that you truly loved. These are the things that bumped up your energy during the day—for some, it’s a sale, a good presentation or meeting, a successful outcome. Then dig underneath that “like” and uncover what it was really about. Was it the success of effective communication? The social interaction with like minds? A challenge overcome? Go to the heart of the “like.”
2—Detect your “Dislikes”
No one likes every aspect of their job equally. As a former HR professional, I personally disliked keeping up on the ever-changing regulations and paperwork. So what are the aspects of your current and former jobs that you avoid when you can, put little effort into, delegate when possible, or rationalize why it doesn’t need doing? Write them down. And just like the list above, look underneath that aversion—what is it that you really hate about it? Was it dealing with conflict, detailed research, constant pressure or minutiae?
3—Create your ideal job description
Now you have the information you need to write up your perfect job description. It does not have to comply with any format you’ve used before. Just take a quiet moment (at least a half hour) and write a real, heartfelt, yet detailed description of what you would want to do every day. Give yourself the time to play with the idea, let your mind wander, imagine. No limitations or reality checks on this exercise. What are the goals? Do you manage people or are you an individual contributor? What’s your environment like? Daily activities? How would you like to dress for this dream job?
4—Reflect
This is possibly the most important step. What surprised you about these exercises? What did you learn about yourself? How has it changed your perceptions? What looks different now? What do you wish to add? What would your future self advise you to do now?
The answers to these questions alone will make a difference for you. If you need more help, keep exploring. You have the answer within. And if you need more help, a coach can help. 😉
