Passion Starts with Process
Directives on the importance of integrating purpose into your work are plentiful in America. Walk into most gift shops and encouraging messages about pursuing your passion are printed on everything from scented candles to coffee mugs. Listen to an interview with a famous entrepreneur and he or she is likely to bring up how part of their success came from following a calling. Even our Instagram feeds are filling up with stories on the health benefits that exist when individuals have fulfilling work.
Unfortunately, most of us do not wake up one day acutely aware of our passion let alone how it translates into a way to earn a living. For college graduates who have spent the last 17+ years measuring their success by rubrics and rankings, it’s not always obvious how to pursue a fulfilling career path. Even individuals with a long list of extracurricular activities can struggle figuring out if and how their hobbies relate to the job market. However, since most of us can name interests that bring us joy, subjects we want to master, problems we want to tackle and people who energize our mind and spirit, there is a way forward. With an intentional and action-oriented approach to self-reflection and goal setting, the possibility of finding an engaging career path is within reach - even for those of us who had to always make up an answer for the first-day of school poster that asked, “what do you want to be when you grow up”.
Self-reflection may bring up an image of a person sitting in nature with their eyes closed allowing the answers to big philosophical questions to swarm throughout their mind. And to be clear, it absolutely can be just that. However, it can also take the form of a methodical process with a guide, a timeline and a set of defined actions. Done effectively, this exercise can yield work products that reflect your priorities, your strengths and the learnings that have impacted your life. Guided self-reflection does not only take shape in one on one meetings - it can involve writing prompts, free form journaling or one off conversations with trusted peers or mentors. And, like every sound process, it has a starting point, an ending point and a way to cycle back as life happens and your perspective evolves. Without structure, it is common to spend months searching for the perfect way to articulate your passion and to never feel satisfied. However, by approaching self-reflection like a complex assignment (i.e. breaking it apart so you can put it back together), you can gain clarity and confidence in your path. Ultimately, choosing to intentionally follow a structured process will yield the truths about yourself that are key to setting goals and determining your most relevant career possibilities.
Joon Solutions offers career readiness advice for college students and recent graduates. By participating in a guided, five step exploration program, participants complete a self-reflection exercise and gain a deeper understanding of career paths that are aligned to their interests, skills and passions. In addition, individuals walk away with the tangible assets needed to tell their story and fulfill their professional and personal objectives. In addition, Joon Solutions guides women returning to the workforce and young entrepreneurs seeking strategies to advance their business while staying aligned to their mission. To learn more, contact info@joonsolutions.biz