Want to Find Career Fulfillment? Start Focusing on THIS!
dan masden
"I need to find a new job that fits my skill set."
This is a common battle cry I hear from clients who are burned out in their career and looking to make a change. Most people come to me already having an intimate knowledge of the strengths which helped them become successful. They simply want clarity on how to apply those strengths to a new career which will bring fulfillment.
They are disappointed when I tell them the truth. Focusing and obsessing over their skill set is actually what's making them feel stuck in the first place.
Let's talk about the difference between skills... and gifts.
Skill is defined as" the ability to do something well; expertise." When you think about it, our skills are typically acquired over time through practice. After enough repetition, we master a skill and consistently produce a predictable result. Being an electrician, lawyer, salesperson, or a doctor are highly refined skills which can take years to master.
On the other hand, a gift is defined as "a natural ability or talent." Note the word NATURAL.
These are the talents which are freely given to us by our creator and bring feelings of freedom and fulfillment when we perform them. These are typically the talents which came easily to us as kids, whether it be music, writing, athletics, or building things.
What's interesting is how our gifts can also be the very things we were encouraged to ignore at an early age.
"You can't earn a living as a writer..."
"Art is a great hobby, but you need a steady career..."
"Why don't you just become a __________ like your father?"
As we grow older and take these messages on as our own beliefs, we stop making time to nurture our gifts as we go to school, get a degree, and chase a "safe" career.
Thus, our natural gifts rarely get the one thing they need in order to become a skill--- practice.
Conversely, when we enter the workforce, we begin acquiring skills which help us climb the ladder and achieve success... but those skills are not always our gifts. They don't bring us a sense of joy or fulfillment.
In my former corporate career, I had many skills I acquired over time. I learned to crunch numbers, write reports, and create spreadsheets. I learned how to negotiate deals with talent agents and record companies. I learned how to produce festival type concerts. I learned how to do LOTS of managerial paperwork for the HR department.
All of those skills kept the money rolling in. However, none of them brought me fulfillment. This is why I left to start my own business. I could use my gifts of creativity, writing, speaking, mentoring, and content creation in a way that serves others.
You might be reading this right now and not even be sure of what your gifts even are. Maybe you know what they are, but you feel like it's too late to go back and turn your gifts into a career. Maybe you feel like you don't have a unique gift of your own.
This is why I've created the "Escape the 9 to 5" 12-week coaching program (Click HERE to apply). This is designed for the person who is tired of feeling stuck and is ready to rediscover their unique gifts which will help them earn a living and make an impact.
You might be asking yourself if massive transformation is really possible for you in just 3 months? Can you really make progress towards the dreams that seem unreachable?
With the right mentor, structure, and implementation... you can do anything.
Check out this story from Kelly in Pennsylvania. When we began working together she was a stay-at-home mom with a huge dream. Listen to what happened for her by week 11 and judge for yourself.
I don't know what your goals are because we haven't spoken yet. You might not even be sure what your goals are and only know that you aren't happy where you are at. That's ok.
I am 100% confident by the end of this program, you will leave with a renewed commitment to giving your GIFTS and doing the work which brings you fulfillment. Click here to apply for Escape the 9 to 5. I will reach out to schedule a complimentary 30-minute discovery call so we can discuss if it's the right fit for you.