With the beginning of 2016, many of you will be asking yourselves whether you are in the right job. Does it truly inspire you? Is it more than just a means to earn money?
I come across many clients who somehow feel stuck in their jobs. They don’t know what else they could do, so they stay where they are. The notion of finding a fulfilling job that also pays well seems like a fantasy to them.
I believe otherwise!
Here is my simple formula for finding your Dream Job:
1. Write a list of all the things you love doing
These are the things that excite you. Nobody needs to remind you to do them. You are in a flow when you are focused on these activities and time flies by
2. Write a separate list of all the things you are good at
If you are unsure what they are, ask a friend or colleague. Often we cannot see what we are good at because these things do not seem special to us. For example, my former colleagues often praised the structure and organisation I contributed to projects. This always puzzled me because I thought I simply performed the most basic housekeeping. This is quite common: when we are good at something, it costs us so little effort that we cannot see how valuable it is to others.
3. Identify where the two lists overlap
Look for things that you both love doing and are good at. I call them your “Key Skills”.
4. Ask yourself: who would need or want my Key Skills?
For each Key Skill we have, there is someone else who needs it. If you find people who need or want your Key Skill and are happy to pay the money you want to earn to have this service, you have found your ideal “Target Market”.
5. Think of jobs that would allow you to use your Key Skills for your Target Market
Your Dream Job is one that allows you to do what you both love doing and are good at, for people who are happy to pay handsomely for it. This could be either running a business or being in employment.
You need, of course, to also think about other criteria, such us your working hours, work environment and the people you work with, but this formula is a great way to get you started.
The beauty of this formula is that if you pursue a job that meets all of the above criteria, you are bound to be successful and feel fulfilled along the way. This is why:
- The more you do what you love doing, the better you will become at it.
- The better you become at it, the more people will want it.
- The more you see people wanting it, the more you will love it.
Here is a diagram that shows how it works:
Now over to you! Are you already in your dream job? If not make this your year to find it!