How do you find what you REALLY want to do?

I believe that a lot of people never really find their true calling; their reason for being here on this earth.

I also don’t think there is anything wrong with this, or that it is anyone’s fault.

Finding what you REALLY want to do, doesn’t just “happen” for everyone.

For some people, yes. Some people know from a young age, or have some sort of epiphany at some point as to what it is they are called to do.

For some, this happens early on and other people haven’t found their calling until much later in life.

Others, never really find out. They are perfectly content with the lives they have created, doing what they know – and doing it well – but maybe always feeling like they should be doing something else.

I don’t know that I can hand on heart say that there is a “one-size fits all” formula for finding out what it is that you REALLY want to do, what you are called to do.

What I can do, is tell you how I did it. 

Maybe by telling you my process, it might stir something up in you. Maybe it won’t. But let’s hope it’s the former, eh?

Those of you who know my story, will know that my career was essentially in start-ups.

I helped organisations to set up operating procedures, staffing, logistics and implemented strategies for growth.

And I was good at it and I loved it. I was happy! Could I have stayed in this corporate career forever?

Yes, I believe that I could, and that I would have been content.

Fortunately for me, God and life had other plans. 

When I met my husband and came over to the states, I was forced to look at my past, forced to spend time alone and forced to think about what I really wanted to do, because I was essentially starting over again.

Then I did the following:

1. I opened my mind. 

I believe that being open minded can create insane opportunities for you.

I’ve always been fairly open-minded, I am also a creature of habit and a massive control-freak….I’m still not entirely sure how they all work together, but there we go!

What I mean in this context, thought, is that I opened my mind from just looking at opportunities that were related to things I had done in the past.

I looked beyond higher education. I looked beyond sport. I looked beyond working for someone else.

2. I silenced my ego.

When you start over, start somewhere new, you sometimes have to start at the bottom.

As a dedicated career woman, the potential of starting at the bottom of the ladder again was a difficult pill to swallow. 

Not bringing in the same salary as previously, at times not bringing in anything at all, hit me bloody hard.

Feeling like I had to ask my husband for money was humiliating (my doing, not his). 

It took a while, but I realised that I had to STOP putting my worth and value in money and look at how else I was contributing.

It wasn’t about where I was on the career ladder, how much money I made – it was about the impact I could have. The lives I could change.

Egos need to be checked from time to time, and put firmly back in their place!

3. I failed. A lot.

Another kicker for you.

You see, you don’t truly know if something is what you want to do, until you do it.

The idea and the reality can often be two very different things. 

I took jobs I thought were my dream, only to be disappointed. I started a business, paused with a view to quitting it – then revamped.

I volunteered. Some good some bad experiences. 

I was let down by others and I let myself down.

But in doing all this; I discovered my true self, my values. What I stand for and what I will tolerate. Who I want to help and how. 

4. I “networked”.

I don’t mean going to specific networking events, although I highly recommend this as well.

I mean, I spent time getting to know different types of people, in-person and online. 

To learn about what other people do, to get inspired, to see if and how I could maybe help.

Exposing yourself to things that aren’t your norm, allows you to see endless possibilities and directions that you could go in.

5. I spent time alone, just thinking.

As a human doing, in the words of my Dad, I have never really felt comfortable just sat, not really doing anything.

What I didn’t realise though, was that by constantly “doing” I never allowed myself time to think about what it was that really made me tick.

I never gave myself time to create a plan for myself, to see beyond the current and understand what it was I was here to do.

Take the time to do this, really delve deep – don’t expect it to just hit you. It takes time, persistence and a LOT of brain capacity!

6. I rediscovered my faith.

I’m not here to preach to you.

I was raised Christian and have always considered myself one. But I discovered a deeper relationship with God, one that I now take the time to nurture.

Whatever you believe, find a higher purpose. 

Find something that makes you understand the enormity of who you are and why you are here.

Find what it is that makes you extraordinary.

Then chase it and build it with every fibre of your being.

Until next time,

Gems x