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Hi Nakia! So happy to hear that you’re getting so much clarity, self-awareness, and enjoyment out of this course so far! It means a lot to hear that the style and content of our videos resonates so well for you. What a huge compliment! You’ve made my day.
I hope you’ll come back to share more of your progress as you finish up this course and start putting it into action! Here’s to hoping that this helps you discover your dream job that fully supports your Tribe Member nature! 🙂
Hi Karee,
I’m so happy to hear that you’re feeling more hopeful about your future and are ready to start paying attention to 9 or 10 opportunities as they show up! It’s perfectly understandable that you’re still feeling a bit unsure about WHAT you want to be doing in your next job.
It sounds like you’re pretty clear about HOW you want to be working in the next phase of your career (based on your Thriver values), which is awesome. That was the main point of this Short Course, to help you get clear on HOW you should be working, based on your values & strengths. And now, naturally, you want to get clear on specifically WHAT you’d like to be doing — what kind of work would make you feel engaged, excited, and valuable. If at all possible, I would really recommend that you join us for the Passion Plan Virtual Experience, which opens for enrollment in a little over a week — it’s meant to be the “next level” course beyond this one, and it’s main purpose is to help you figure out WHAT you’re passionate about. (The Short Course is about HOW you should be working, and the Virtual Experience is WHAT you’re passionate about.) That entire course is really meant to help you answer the question you just asked! (Plus, as a Short Course member, you’re going to get a pretty huge discount on the Virtual Experience, BTW! Make sure to check your inbox on Monday the 30th.)
In the meantime, I suggest thinking back to previous jobs, projects, classes you took in school, etc., to see if you can identify a “common thread” of what felt really great, fun, and natural for you. It doesn’t need to be something as clear-cut as “medicine” or “teaching” or “fitness.” It might be a bit more broad, like “encouraging people,” “brainstorming ideas,” or “creative thinking.” See if anything emerges when you look back over your previous experience through this lens, and that might be a good place to at least start exploring. And if you join us for the Virtual Experience coming up, we’ll be taking you step-by-step through how to do that!
Hope that helps! 🙂
Thank YOU for sharing how much this course has helped you understand and accept yourself so you’re not fighting upstream anymore! Isn’t it such a relief to realize that there’s nothing wrong with you for not feeling SUPER passionate about your career, and also not wanting to turn your hobbies into a career either. You’re allowed to simply enjoy your life and value your family, friends, hobbies, and other pleasures just as much (and like more than) your job! That doesn’t mean you don’t want to enjoy your job and derive pleasure and meaning from it — everyone wants that to some extent! It just means you don’t have to put so much pressure on your job to be the thing you feel most passionate about in life.
Thanks for sharing your “ah-hah” moment with us! Your post made my whole day. 🙂
Hey Kayla! I’m so glad those questions are helpful! I agree — if you haven’t experienced much fun and creativity in a workplace before, you can absolutely draw from your personal life and get creative (see what I did there?? lol) about how those things could fit into a work setting. Or maybe you can remember previous projects that you worked on in school, or for a volunteer organization, or even in past jobs (you may have been bored by the job, but enjoyed one aspect of it or a certain project) that were really engaging. It’s also perfectly OK to look outside of your own life for inspiration and see what parts of other people’s jobs you think would be fun and creative. (I recently wrote a blog about using jealousy to clarify what you want for yourself that might help.)
Hope that sparks some ideas for when you sit down to consider your answers to these questions!
Hey Jeanie!
I love that your Firestarter profile resonated so instantly and deeply for you! That’s awesome. And you’re right, the “Thriver” part of you might be authentic OR you might be feeling that way because you’re burnt out after spending YEARS working in a job that doesn’t align with your Profile. Once you change your situation, it’ll be easier to tell which is true.
It’s SO normal to numb out after years of feeling “off” or discouraged, so you’re definitely not alone in that. And once you’ve gone numb, it’s tough to dig down and examine how you’re feeling and what you value. But I’m so glad you’re doing it anyway! It’s almost like working out a muscle that hasn’t been used in a while — you still have the capability, but it’s going to require more consistent practice. And it might feel worse before it feels better, which was part of the message in this week’s blog that you referenced. But it’s SO much better on the other side of toleration and stagnation! I can tell you’re right on the cusp of making some big changes, but you might need some clarity and courage and a big push to get there.
I was actually going to mention our upcoming Virtual Experience to you, based on how you were describing your current challenge, and then I saw that you’re already excited to sign up later this month, so that’s awesome! I really think that’s going to help you springboard into the Firestarter lifestyle you’re so craving. Can’t wait to see you in the next course! Now that you’ve gone through this Short Course, you’re going to be even more ready to dive into the Virtual Experience, where we’ll explore WHAT you’re passionate about and what to do next. Can’t wait to get started in a few weeks! 🙂
Hi Kayla!
It makes me so happy to hear that you’re finally embracing your Thriver values!! That’s so powerful, and it feels so much better to accept who you are than to try to become something/someone you’re not.
I can see why you’re having this internal struggle right now. You’re current job is set-up to be perfect for a Thriver — the shortened work hours, the long weekends, the stable paycheck, the great vacation time, etc. But if you’re miserable doing the actual day-to-day work, then a 30-hour workweek can quickly feel twice that long!
You said you’d really like a job that incorporates more fun and creativity, since those are most lacking at your current job, so I’m thinking it would first be helpful for you to define what fun and creativity look like in an ideal work setting for you. What does it mean to have fun at work? What kinds of things could you be doing that would make your workday more fun? What kinds of people would you like to be interacting with? What kind of variety would make things more interesting? How about creativity? What kinds of tasks or projects make you feel creative? What characteristics would you love to experience in creative coworkers? What does creativity mean to you in a workplace? The more clearly you can answer these questions, the better fuel you’ll have for your job search. Sure, you can search for “fun” and “creative” jobs, but you’ll get MUCH better results if you search for more specific phrases that describe how you’d like to have fun and be creative at work. Does that make sense?
I also want to mention, even though you didn’t directly ask about this, that what you’re asking for is NOT too much. Even though your current job has a lot or perks doesn’t mean you have to settle for doing something that completely bores you day-in and day-out. You don’t have to sacrifice flexibility and vacation time for a job that interests you. In fact, I’d say that the more fun & creative jobs are often the ones that come with a lot of flexibility and a great culture! Those things tend to go hand-in-hand. So many people fear that they have to choose between a job that’s stable & flexible or a job they enjoy, and I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. It’s not asking too much to have both, and I have every faith that you’ll find the right combo for you!
Thanks for asking this question — I know it’s one that other people will relate to. So glad you enjoyed this course! 🙂
Hi Jessica! Sorry for such a delayed response to this. Rachel and I have been on winter break for the past couple of weeks, so we weren’t at our computers very much.
First I want to say, it’s totally normal for you to still feel lost when it comes to picking a major in college. There’s so much pressure to make the right decision (and most of that pressure we put on ourselves!), so it can make you feel paralyzed by indecision. This is SUCH a common challenge, and you’re definitely not alone in feeling this way. In fact, I’ll bet most of the students at your school feel this way! I know I did when I was 18.
You’ve clearly already learned so much about what you want and what you value from this course (and from other sources, like the Myers-Briggs), and I can tell you from coaching hundreds of people by now … you’re so much farther along than you think you are! You’re asking deep questions that many people never start asking until their 20s, 30s, or even older! You may not feel like it right now, but you’re ahead of the game. 🙂
As you’re considering potential majors, I want you to make a list of the options you’re most considering. Then run each option through the filter of the values you listed above. For example, if you’re considering accounting, ask yourself, “From what I know of accounting jobs, will that path allow me to feel fulfillment, balance, connection, creativity, stability…” Think about the job itself, as well as the lifestyle it would allow you to live (including money, time freedom, learning potential, etc.). If you don’t have enough information, you don’t necessarily have to get an internship if you don’t have time for that (which I’m sure you don’t, as a student athlete!), but try to set up a few informational interviews with professors or other people who are already working in those fields. Ask the questions you most want to know the answers to, so that you can get enough info to determine if that path is likely to align with your top values.
Also, it can help to paint a visual mental picture of your ideal job. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to clarify that (remember, you’re describing your IDEAL job):
– Are you working alone or with other people?
– If you are working with others, are you in charge of them? Collaborating with them? Supporting/serving them?
– How many people are around? How big is the company you’re working for?
– What’s the setting like? Describe the work culture.
– What are your work hours like?
– How much solo work vs. collaborative work are you doing? How is your time split between the two?
– How important is the “why” or mission of the company?
– Would you rather be an expert in something or be a jack-of-all-trades who gets to try different things on new projects?
– What kinds of things are you doing during the day? Writing? Traveling? Running meetings? Being artistic? Brainstorming? Building something? Etc.Hope that helps!
Hi Jessica!
I have to say — I’m really impressed by how self-aware you already are at 18! I wasn’t thinking nearly as far ahead as you are at that age, so you’re ahead of the game in a really great way! Because you’re already so committed to finding a career path that will allow you to have the kind of lifestyle you want after college, I have total faith that you’ll be able to make that happen. The key is to use these next few years in college to understand yourself in a deeper way than you ever have before.
The beauty of being in college and not having to make a career decision right this very minute is that you have space to experiment, try things, and change your mind. That’s what I would have you really focus on over the next few years before you graduate. Don’t feel like you need to make every decision perfectly right now — it’s perfectly OK to try things, realize you don’t like them (like your Computer Information Technology major right now), and change course. If you view college as a space where you have freedom to explore and discover who you are and what you love, you’ll feel SO much less pressure to “get it all right” immediately.
You’re in such a great place, and you’re asking all of the right questions. So glad to have you here! 🙂
Hey Kat! So excited to have you in both the PPVE and the PPSC! 🙂
I really love these intentions you’ve set for why you’re taking this course and what you hope to get out of it. Setting intentions like this can help you get the absolute most out of the experience, so I’m glad you took it upon yourself to do that! I’d be curious for you to check back in with these intentions after you’ve completed the PPSC to see how different you feel.
Thanks for sharing, and I’m glad you’re here!
Hi Stephanie — I’m so happy to hear that you’re finally embracing your multi-passionate self and no longer trying to fit yourself in a box that’s too small for you! Once you give yourself permission to be passionate about ALL of the things that interest you, without trying to pick one over the other, I think you’ll find that they all blend together beautifully in your life. I love that you found Marie Forleo to inspire you as you pursue your multi-passionate entrepreneur ideas! She’s so amazing, and she’s a great example of a very successful Side Hustler / Firestarter combo.
I love your energy, enthusiasm, and belief in yourself! Thanks for sharing how much this program helped you clarify your values and dreams so you can pursue them wholeheartedly. 🙂
Hey Jeanie! I love that you’ve been trying to entertain and occupy yourself at this current job (the Firestarter in you can’t be totally held back!), but you’re right, that’s not a sustainable long-term solution for the fact that you’re so incredibly BORED. You’re also right that it’s pretty unlikely that your Passion Profile will change (although this does occasionally happen when a major life event rearranges your priorities, but you’ll likely always have some Firestarter/Tribe Member energy). And that means, if you haven’t been able to make yourself happy at this job after years of trying, it’s probably just not a good fit for your Passion Profile. I’m excited that you’re opening up to new possibilities that might better align with your values, although I know it’s scary to contemplate other options, especially if those options don’t line up with what other people believe you “should” be doing. It’s going to take some serious courage to forge your own new path, but it’s going to feel WAY better on the other side. You’ve clearly made a ton of progress in that direction already, which is awesome!
Also, thank you for such an amazing compliment! Authenticity and depth are incredibly important to Rachel and me, and we try to infuse everything we do with those qualities. It means the world to hear that we’re succeeding in that! 🙂 So happy you joined us here for the Short Course.
Hi Stephanie! It makes perfect sense that you’re feeling confused and frustrated that none of the jobs you’ve had so far feel “right,” you you wind up bouncing from one place to the next. I’ve heard that from a LOT of people (especially Side Hustlers!), so you’re definitely not alone in feeling that confusion and overwhelm. I hope and believe this course will help you get clearer about how to identify & find a job (or jobs) that you’ll be excited to stay with longer-term! Glad you decided to join us! 🙂
Hi Cherise! So happy you chose to sign up for this course after following us for a little while. Hearing that the PPSC is one of the best things you’ve done for yourself is a huge compliment! So thank you for that. 🙂
It’s really normal for Thrivers to judge themselves for not feeling the same kind/level of passion for their work that they see in other people. I’ve heard SO many Thrivers say they feel guilty for being “lazy” or “unmotivated,” when those things aren’t true AT ALL! It’s just that their passions and motivations come through in different ways, and not necessarily in the way they make money. A job serves a different purpose for Thrivers than it does for some of the other Passion Profiles, and that’s perfectly OK!
Giving yourself permission to do things the way you want to do things and pursue the kind of career that feels good to you — even if it’s not “logical” and it doesn’t make sense to other people — takes a lot of courage, but it’s also a HUGE relief. I’m really glad you’re finally giving yourself that permission!
Thank you so much for being in this program and for sharing your experience. I know for sure that other people will resonate with your story, and you might inspire others to give themselves permission to work the way they want to work, too. And I’m glad you love the workbook so much! 🙂
Kimberly — I’m happy to hear that the Short Course was so enlightening for you! Sounds like you’re finally giving yourself complete permission to NOT let your job define you and to have passions that have nothing to do with your job. That’s a huge relief for most Thrivers! It can also be tough for some people to admit that they want a variety of positions/jobs because that’s not aligned with the “traditional” idea of a career that many of us have been taught. But I’m glad you’re open to that, as well! Timing can play a huge factor in how fulfilling a particular job is, so it might be worth looking into a past job that wasn’t a good fit then, but might be perfect for you now. I hope you’ll come back to share what ends up working out for you! 🙂
Hi Kim, so glad you’re here! It’s SO normal to look around at your career (or even life in general!) and think, “How did I even get here??” That’s far more common than you might think! The difference between you and most people is that you’re willing to question your circumstances and wonder, “What changes could I make to feel happier and more fulfilled?” instead of resigning yourself to accept what is. That automatically makes you far more empowered and primed for success than the majority of the population! 🙂 I love that you’re already started to reframe the beliefs that have been limiting you, and you’re opening up to new possibilities. You’re well on your way already, and hopefully the Short Course will help clarify the next step in your journey!
