we seldom acknowledge that our work life is no longer meeting our needs for meaning and fulfillment. After all, who has the time for this self-reflection? Between worrying about growing older, staying in shape, keeping the relationship alive, dealing with issues of confidence and paying the
mortgage and other debts, who has time to live an authentic life?
Faceless meetings, bosses, products, customers and unrealistic demands and deadlines. Even with all these, it seems easier to just accept the mundane tasks of work. After all, work isn't supposed to be full of joy and happiness, right?
Most of us were brought up to work hard in school and get good grades that lead to a good job with good pay. With this woul.come a nice job title, Mom and Dad would be proud and life would be perfect. Then we could have a family, with its new responsibilities, and life would b.complete until we retire.
No one taught us how to live an authentic life
Your authentic life starts with finally asking the question, SWhat would my perfect work be?
It may be the most important question to ask yourself after you turn 40.
What is your answer?
Is your work life significant? Does your work give you meaning? Is your work fulfilling? Does your work make sense to you? Do you find joy in your work?
Learn from others
Robin Sparks decided what was perfect for her after a painful divorce. She decided that she wanted to write stories about other people's lives while traveling around the world. Today, if you were to meet Robin you would discover a strong woman who never accepted the status quo. Robin is currently planning her boat trip around the world while living in different countries.
Michelle Hill grew tired of her many hours working as an administrative assistant. Her passion was to start her own cooki.company. She ignored the advice of those around her and designed her perfect vocational day around baking and selling cookies. Today, as the proud owner of Michelle's Cookie Kitchen, she has learned that, once she gave herself permission to follow her heart, her work life seemed to align around it.
Joyce Zee has started early. Although not quite in mid-life, her story is proof that it is never too late or too early to take action to create and follow your perfect vocational day. Joyce was good at her job in the investment and finance field for many years but her heart was elsewhere. Joyce wanted to help people plan their honeymoons. One day, she decided she couldn't wait any longer and she started her own honeymoon and wedding planning service.
What can we learn from Robin, Michelle and Joyce?
They ignored the status quo and gave themselves permission to follow their hearts.
What can you do?
Pretend that I just gave you 50 million dollars after taxes. Would that be enough to allow you to create your perfect vocational day without worrying about earning money? Good. Now, let's meet back in six months. Many of you will quit your jobs, travel, pay off debts and buy stuff, right?
=
OK, six months later and look at you! Tanned, relaxed, peaceful. Now with the money you have left, write down exactly how you will spend an average day for the rest of your life. Be specific from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep.
The bad news
I have bad news. You have to give all the money back. But you can keep your vision of how you would spend your days if you had all the money you would ever need.
Look for patterns
Examine the patterns of your day when you thought you had the money. Find examples of activities where you could make money. Don't worry at this point how much money. Using these patterns, rewrite a perfect vocational day that would get you really excited. Write this down as a typical average day that you would enjoy for the rest of your life. You are finished when you are breathless!
Align your passions, abilities and interests
This is where you give yourself permission to take the next step. Write a biography of yourself will find, as Robin, Michelle and Joyce did, the world will align around your journey.
Craig Nathanson is the author of P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day and a coaching expert who works with people over forty. Craig's second book, Don't just retire and die, is due out at the end of 2006. Craig's systematic approach, the trademark "Ten P" model, helps people break free and move toward the work they love. Visit Craig's onlin.community at
thevocationalcoach.com where you can sign up for a class, private coaching or group coaching. Or you can read other stories of mid-life change and renewal. Craig's office is located at 7960 Brentwood Blvd, Suite D in Brentwood, Ca. Craig can be reached at 240-0770 or
E-mail craig>
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