Greg post Mon. What you love (things like music or art or sports) do not always make good career decisions. Knowing what it was that makes you love those things can help impact your career to do something you care about and wake up not dreading your day. For me, I knew I couldn't rap forever, but I loved being in front of the crowd, so naturally leadership qualities and public speaking comes to mind.
You outlined some great first steps and really that's what it boils down to – action. You don't have to start your own business to take action. Just do something – throw your Nike's on, lace em up and go into the world knowing that you are doing something that makes you happy and fulfilled.
That’s a really good point. Many people think you have to do your hobby as your career to be happy – another way to find your passion is to look at what talents you have gained from your hobbies and apply them in a business setting.
I do enjoy your rapping, it’s too bad that career path didn’t work out
In my experience, asking around about an interest you have or talking to the people in the field is good, but not enough. Most people will be biased and go to either extreme: they really like what they do because it fits for them (but it may not fit for you) OR they hate it and will tell you to run away as fast as you can (even if it doesn't necessarily mean you will hate it). Sometimes they just tell you what you want to hear.
One way that works for me is to find your passion by elimination. In other words, try anything that is remotely interesting to you a few times: take a class or two, read a few books, and actually go out and do something pertaining to that interest once or twice (apply it!). Don't invest too much time or money. If you discover you really don't like it, quit and move on to the next thing. No harm, no foul… there's no need to finish every single thing you start.
Sometimes mixing two different interests into a combination interest can be the answer. You may like certain things about different fields and not others … so mix it up to create an optimal solution. It's easy to find that out if you've tried many things.
Process of elimination works well for me too. I think it’s good to do research on potential careers, but always take the other person’s advice with a grain of salt. Many people have ulterior motives (like jealousy) or want you to just hang back in mediocre-land with them. Some people project their own experiences onto yours, without really listening to you.
Yes, more good stuff here. Will look into Jonathan's Passion + Profits test. Also, I agree with you about “Find Your Career Path.” It's a solid book I need to review. Cheers!
Monica O'Brien is the Director of Digital at Fizz and author of the book Social Pollination, which helps businesses leverage social media for crazy growth!
"There's no sugar coating in Monica's advice. She understands and outlines what works and doesn't, while she also leaves room to discuss the transient nature of social media."
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Monica O'Brien is the Director of Digital at Fizz and author of the book Social Pollination, which helps businesses leverage social media for crazy growth!
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Greg post Mon. What you love (things like music or art or sports) do not always make good career decisions. Knowing what it was that makes you love those things can help impact your career to do something you care about and wake up not dreading your day. For me, I knew I couldn't rap forever, but I loved being in front of the crowd, so naturally leadership qualities and public speaking comes to mind.
You outlined some great first steps and really that's what it boils down to – action. You don't have to start your own business to take action. Just do something – throw your Nike's on, lace em up and go into the world knowing that you are doing something that makes you happy and fulfilled.
That’s a really good point. Many people think you have to do your hobby as your career to be happy – another way to find your passion is to look at what talents you have gained from your hobbies and apply them in a business setting.
I do enjoy your rapping, it’s too bad that career path didn’t work out
In my experience, asking around about an interest you have or talking to the people in the field is good, but not enough. Most people will be biased and go to either extreme: they really like what they do because it fits for them (but it may not fit for you) OR they hate it and will tell you to run away as fast as you can (even if it doesn't necessarily mean you will hate it). Sometimes they just tell you what you want to hear.
One way that works for me is to find your passion by elimination. In other words, try anything that is remotely interesting to you a few times: take a class or two, read a few books, and actually go out and do something pertaining to that interest once or twice (apply it!). Don't invest too much time or money. If you discover you really don't like it, quit and move on to the next thing. No harm, no foul… there's no need to finish every single thing you start.
Sometimes mixing two different interests into a combination interest can be the answer. You may like certain things about different fields and not others … so mix it up to create an optimal solution. It's easy to find that out if you've tried many things.
Process of elimination works well for me too. I think it’s good to do research on potential careers, but always take the other person’s advice with a grain of salt. Many people have ulterior motives (like jealousy) or want you to just hang back in mediocre-land with them. Some people project their own experiences onto yours, without really listening to you.
Thanks for the comment!
Yes, more good stuff here. Will look into Jonathan's Passion + Profits test. Also, I agree with you about “Find Your Career Path.” It's a solid book I need to review. Cheers!
I just took the Passion + Profits again… another book I enjoy is Gary Vaynerchuk’s new one “Crush It!” He talks a lot about passion in it.