I don't know what job will keep me satisfied both mentally and financially

ShiftDoctor answer

By Jessica McGregor Johnson on 23 October 2007 at 15:40

This is a little ‘stuck between a rock and hard place'! Wanting out, but not wanting to risk getting out unless it comes with all the guarantees of success and security. Number one fact, sometimes you simply have to jump and trust that you will fly.

Saying that, I hear that you do need to have an idea of where to jump to. Your idea of two jobs sounds as though it might be a good way forward, but first I think you could do an exercise that truly identifies what skills you actually feel passionate about using. Fulfilment comes from our work when we are using these skills.

Divide your page in two. In one column list each of the jobs you've had, - every one, even voluntary ones, and anything that you have done, or courses you have been on over the past years. The more you can add to this list the greater the depth of information you will have to work with. Then list all your responsibilities for each job, both those in the original job description and those you end up with.

In the second column, against each job/responsibility, identify the skills you used. Not just the practical skills, but also knowledge skills and people skills.

Take another look at the list - is there anything that you do and that you love that is missing from this skill list? It might not be something that is picked up from the work related list like singing, music, dance, sport. Take some time to list any non-work related things that use a skill and add both the activity and skill. For example, you might love playing a team sport and you might also be captain of that team - what skills does that involve? Add them.

When you have written down all these varied skills take a moment to acknowledge your unique set of skills. See what life experience you bring with you to this point in time. Do not skip this stage; it is very important that you acknowledge yourself, acknowledge your self worth and your value to humanity.

Now is the time to be honest, really honest. Cross out any skill you do not like performing. You may be brilliant at one thing and everyone may say to you "you're a born ........." but if you don't like doing it then cross it out. This process is to find your vocation, what makes your heart sing; nothing that you dislike has any place here. What you will end up with is a list of a variety of skills that you love using.

Now ask yourself why do I feel passion when I use this skill? What is the motivation for wanting to do this? Is it moving me towards something I want or away from something I don't want? Often we are motivated because we don't want people to judge us in some way or because we don't want a certain experience. But any true passion is because we simply can't live without the outcome of using that skill. If you like the idea of complimentary health is it because you have a desire to help people, or is it because you wish to move away from the artificial situation you find yourself in now? Do you want to keep one foot in the pharmaceutical industry because you enjoy the brain stimulation you get or because if you became ‘just' a complementary therapist it might not have such kudos? All these really honest questions and answers will start to give you an idea of how you truly feel about what you do now and what you could move towards.

Your next step is to look at all the ‘move towards' skills and see what they are telling you. What job or career do they fit in? It might be something totally different to that which you have considered already or something that you have hovered around the edges of but that now seems to be a much clearer option.

We all know what our heart truly wants us to do and more often than not the ‘don't know' answer is because we don't like the consequences of knowing. Allow yourself to know and then stride out firmly in the direction your inner self wants you to go in.

Jessica offers a free introductory session to discuss how she can help you make the move you want; if you would like to arrange a time for her to call you please email her at jessica@jessicamcgregorjohnson.com or call +34 958 639 593. For more information visit http://www.jessicamcgregorjohnson.com/

She lives in southern Spain and works internationally as a Life Coach enabling people to follow their dream and gain fulfilment in every area of life. She has worked with many career shifters and particularly enjoys using her own life experience, including her time in the corporate world, to support those making whatever move they choose.