| The "Spirit-ual" Side of Job Changing |
How many times in life is your spirit tested? How often do you need to look deeply inside and
ask who you really are, in order to achieve something? How often do you go to others with the
message, "This is who I am and this is what I can contribute with my talents," and allow them to judge your value?
For most of us, a major job change is one of the biggest tests of our spirit that we face in life. It
is after all a time when we are looking down the road at different possible futures. What we do or don't
do at this time can have a major impact on our lives for years to come.
To give ourselves the best chance of winning the most rewarding future possible, we're required
first to decide what we really want in life, the things we'd prefer to do each day. Then we need to take a
close look at who we really are and what we're capable of, putting into words the best possible version we
can come up with ... and really believing it.
If you're quite happy with what you've done, pleased with your achievements, and eager to move to
a position you've clearly defined, then a job change will probably not cause you to think deeply
about these issues.
On the other hand, if you're not happy with the job you've held, or the way you relate to people
in that job, or if you don't have a clearly defined notion of what you want your next job to be, it's
likely your next job change will be one of the stronger tests of spirit that you will encounter.
In that case, you will benefit first by taking time to reflect on who you are as a person, beyond
the part of you who works in a job. Do you most enjoy being of service to others? Or are you most
happy when you are creating something? Do you enjoy the thrill of being a star performer? Are you eager
to use your communicative skills?
Or are you more attuned to the pure joy of producing something consistently? Are you attracted
by the excitement and risks of trading and negotiating? Do you feel especially rewarded when you
have persuaded someone to buy a product or service? Or are you most content when figuring out solutions
to complex problems?
Do you feel comfortable in an office? Or would you prefer to be out in the field? Would you like
an environment that has you frequently interacting with other people? Or do you prefer time alone, so
that you can think, analyze, write, or solve problems? Do you enjoy travel?
Do you like the idea of having responsibility for the performance of other people, developing
and motivating them? Or would you rather function as an individual producer of whatever it is you do well?
Do you like to organize, orchestrate, and manage? Do you enjoy being part of a team? Or would
you rather work on your own?
No one knows you better than you. If you are willing to set aside a few hours to do nothing
but address questions like these honestly, you will very likely end up with a fairly accurate idea of the
types of jobs that you'd find rewarding. Knowing that will help your "inner spirit" and bring you some
peace of mind.
The next step is identifying specific jobs in specific industries that are suitable. In some cases
this may be easy, but where it is not, some research will be required. You'll need to take the initiative
to speak with people in different industries perhaps, in professional associations, or with people
currently holding the type of job you want.
You may learn that such a job requires specialized training or courses of study, or a particular type
of experience you don't yet have. Once again, your spirit is tested in such situations. How intensely do
you want this type of job? What percentage of your waking hours are you willing to devote to getting
the required credentials?
Regardless of whether you need additional training or not, you'll be surprised to find how
quickly you can identify specific types of jobs that fit your criteria, once you start talking to people already
in those jobs. Their insights about what they like and don't like about their jobs will quickly tell you
if you've found the type of job you'll be happy in.
You'll hardly need to think about it. Your feelings will be an accurate indicator. If you find
yourself getting enthusiastic and picturing yourself happily employed in a particular type of job, it's a good
sign that it's a fit. If you're feeling unsure, less than enthusiastic, or attempting to generate interest when
it isn't there naturally, it's not a fit.
Assuming you'll come to that point where you have a clear understanding of what you want in
your next job and the types of jobs that will provide it, it is then necessary to take that close look at
yourself and what you have to offer.
Here again, "the spirit of you" comes into play. Are you a joyful, jovial spirit who tends to see
the best in things? Or are you reserved, cautious, restrained? Are you generally optimistic? Or do you
tend to focus on the negatives? Do you have a tendency to be overly critical of yourself? Or do you tend
to move through life with an ease, a graciousness, and charm that tends to put others at ease and makes
you fairly happy with who you are and what you do?
We cannot suddenly change who we are for the purposes of a successful job change, but few of
us realize just how much control we can exercise over the way we view the world, and the feelings we
have about ourselves and the talents we bring to any job.
We all view life through our own filter. That filter is composed of our individual sets of
beliefs, attitudes, expectations, and our unique way of "addressing the world" in terms of how we relate to
others and get things done.
It is important for you to realize that you can remain 100% who you are, but still make
dramatic changes in your "filter." In job changing, it is a definite advantage to have a filter which lets you
focus on the positives and ignore the negatives. It is worth your time and effort, therefore, for you to make
sure you develop a "positive filter" that will increase your chances for success.
How is this done? Primarily by learning to consciously and deliberately use "selective perception"
to build the most positive set of beliefs and expectations possible, with respect to what you have to
offer, and the types of opportunities available to you in the job market.
If you'd like to work on your beliefs and expectations to open up more opportunities for
yourself, click on the subject heading, Just What Do I Bring to the Table?
Following the exercise suggested there will help you appreciate the very best aspects of
your personality, creativity, determination, and the many other fine qualities you possess, as well as the
way you've applied them in various settings to provide something of significant value to an employer or
other organization.
It will require some effort to complete the exercise, but truly you will be working on the
most interesting subject in the world ... yourself. And it's worth it, because you'll have a useful tool
for opening up more opportunities and improving your ability to convert them to job offers. Just
as important, it is guaranteed to lift your spirits!
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