How to find your true calling

Identifying your life’s purpose can be a daunting task especially when you really don’t know where to start. I must admit, I struggled for years to find direction as to what I really wanted to do with my life, particularly career-wise. And so I can relate to others who have challenges finding their true calling/passion or life-purpose.



There are many self-help books written on the subject, ‘how to find your true calling’ but ironically, many people still struggle to achieve this after reading volumes. From my experience, I find these books not telling it like it should be. The steps provided are somewhat unrealistic and at the end of the day, you’re right back where you started- confused, unfulfilled.


In my mind, I think the authors of some self-help books give generic advice in the hope that the reader will figure the rest out by himself. Advice like, find what motivates you, find what makes you get out of bed each day, find what you love to do and voila! you have the master key to finding your true calling. In my opinion, steps to finding your true calling go beyond just that; you need a companion (if you aren’t self-motivated) whether it’s in audio, visual or in a friend/partner to walk you through the phases of finding your passion. Without this, people world over will still suffer with de-motivation and lack of focus in life.


Can you imagine wanting to lose weight and you can’t get yourself to stop eating the wrong foods or motivating yourself to go to a gym? There are people who are naturally self motivated and those who are not. For those whose cannot motivate themselves to ‘go for it!’ you need someone to help you. It’s more fun and you can throw ideas around with that person.


Due to lack of self-motivation and focus, a lot of people today have ended up in places where they have no interest in because they chose to surrender to the tides of conformity. For example, (a cliché, I know) you have a dream to be a Fashion Designer and your parents want you to become a Medical Doctor. You gain admission into medical school and perform fairly to take you to the next phase and then you get comfortable thinking being in the medical profession was indeed the right line of work for you. However, you are not at your optimal best! Performing fairly well and performing excellently well are totally opposites.


Passion and zeal are key ingredients to achieving excellence. If you do things just for doing sake or to please others or be called obedient, you haven’t really found your calling. Many people suffer lack of fulfillment and discontentment in areas of their life- marriage, career, education, lifestyle etc. which ultimately leads to depression, self pity, low self esteem and suicidal thoughts.


Research has shown that people who are rightly placed in their desired vocation are more productive, happier and fulfilled individuals; hence, the introduction of self-assessment and psychometric tests during job recruitment. Sometimes, we see very happy people who love what they do and do it very well and we think they are more blessed than us. It’s not by waving a magic wand and it all fell in place for them but by having a vision, planning and working towards it and identifying opportunities.


Don’t get me wrong that there aren’t factors that hinder people’s quest to find one’s calling but trust me, I’ve seen many people go wrong because they chose to ‘copy copy’ other people’s life pattern forgetting that every individual has a unique purpose and calling. I have many interests in life all around creativity- design, fashion, aesthetics but I always knew who I wanted to be. I’ve been praised for my impeccable dress sense, my choice of accessories and creative talent on several occasions. That doesn’t mean I should be a tailor when indeed my interest lies elsewhere. It isn’t unusual for people to explore ventures based on what they discover in themselves but the question is this, are you doing it for fulfillment or just financial gain or because someone thinks you could be good in such and such area?


Here are some factors I believe hinder people from attaining their full potential;


1) FEAR


2) LACK OF VISION/PURPOSE


3) INSECURITIES


4) LACK OF FINANCIES


5) SELF LIMITATION


6) DE-MOTIVATION


I am a fanatic of proverbial sayings and I use them as inspiration on my journey of life. To be honest, I read and meditate on at least 20 inspirational quotes daily to help me get through the day. They can be found online, in books and most importantly, in the Bible. I have identified 6 key steps to help you find your true calling.


GET UP! STAND UP!


Self-motivation in the absence of a companion or support is mandatory. You must be able get up every morning and get going. Everyday provides endless opportunities for you to explore (as you have life). Whether you have or don’t have a job to go to or a family to take care of, you must get on your feet! Don’t lie in bed whining about how you are not motivated or inspired to do anything and there’s nothing out there for you. “If you get too critical of yourself, you’d never leave the house”- unknown.


HAVE A PLAN


As you know, “to fail to plan is to plan to fail”- unknown. You should always have a plan. Our minds are filled with ideas usually left unattended to. It’s time to awaken it. That plan in your heart could just be your purpose that you never gave a chance. It’s all about what you want to do with that idea, that vision. You should carry out a self-evaluation of who you want to be, where you want to be at a particular time frame and how you will get there (a step-by-step plan). This will enable you know your strengths, weaknesses and potential.






TAKE ACTION


According to Martin Luther King Jr., “You don’t have to see the whole staircase to take that first step.” You must try something. Some people are too scared to put their plan/idea to work but you must try by doing not by thinking about doing. Like someone said, “If you’re having trouble thinking about your passions and narrowing them down through thought, then what you need to do is stop thinking and start acting.”


DON’T MAKE EXCUSES


Making excuses can never get you anywhere. In my opinion, excuse makers are under-achievers who would rather spend all day making up excuses without moving a muscle. The most common excuse is the issue of finance. Your passion doesn’t always have to cost money to start-up. Your passion could be our hobby- what you enjoy doing for leisure. For example, arts and crafts, teaching, singing, acting and what have you. These things can be enjoyed while you put it to good use by teaching others. You don’t necessarily have to be paid to enjoy your passion. Trust me; some high-earning individuals complain a lot about their job etc.


“My biggest motivation is to just keep challenging myself. I see life like one long university education that I never had.” – Richard Branson. By this, he didn’t let his lack of college certificate hinder him from setting up an international brand- Virgin Airline, Virgin Cola, etc.


TRY, TRY, TRY AGAIN


“Success is not final, failure is not fatal.” If you fail once, you must try again. “The most distinguishing feature of winners is their intensity of purpose”. - Alymer Letterman. If your passion means anything to you, you’d never give it up. Never question that inner voice telling you not to quit. Go back to the drawing board and modify it. You stand a better chance at success once you’ve experienced failure. Let your motivation be, “Yes, I can”. You are more than able.


REWARD YOURSELF


There’s no greater joy than rewarding yourself. Celebrate every milestone of achievement. The fact that you start getting up as early as 5:30 am (unlike the past rising time of 9:00am); to stretch your muscles and jog is an accomplishment. Putting that idea/vision down on paper is another milestone. Take baby steps if you can’t rush through with your purpose. Instead of wallowing in depression, get some retail therapy.


These are simple, practical steps to help you find your true calling. It’s my hope that you can apply them and encounter success.


As Ralph Waldo Emerson puts it, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”. This is great advice! Bottom line, let enthusiasm carry you through the journey to finding your life’s purpose.