| 11,000 days. That's the number of days | | | | them, and working in a field, job, |
| you'll probably work over your lifetime. | | | | industry that you have a passionate |
| You'll likely have six or seven career | | | | interest in. |
| changes and 11 or 12 jobs in total. You | | | | Others have done it and so can you. |
| may be wondering if you need a change | | | | Sometimes it's easy to forget that we |
| now. | | | | can change if we really want to. |
| 30 million people go to work each day to | | | | Although she was a prominent lawyer, my |
| a job they hate. The harmful feelings | | | | client Sarah was dissatisfied in her |
| permeate their entire life, putting a | | | | work, and glad to take a few years off |
| negative cloud over the home, their | | | | to have two children. She told me she |
| friends and many of their other | | | | hated "practicing law." She found it |
| activities. They may lack the know-how | | | | boring, yet she felt enormous guilt at |
| to change, may be afraid of leaving the | | | | abandoning a career she spent years |
| security of a paycheck, or have a | | | | training for and made great money in. We |
| hundred excuses for why it's okay to be | | | | worked together, focusing on her real |
| so dissatisfied and stay at their job. | | | | interests and natural talents. Sarah |
| There is a better way to live your life. | | | | landed a terrific new job as an |
| Meaningful purpose is a driving force | | | | executive director for a nonprofit |
| that adds enthusiasm to your days. | | | | organization. She leads others, |
| Taking a passion and making it your | | | | influences policies, develops programs, |
| career -- living a dream -- can be not | | | | and is a very happy person. "I even make |
| just a wish, but a true and certain | | | | a great salary, but I love my job so |
| reality. Here are a few steps to get the | | | | much, I'd do this for free," she said. |
| new career rolling: Do some | | | | Make a decision. Many people flounder |
| self-analysis. Ask yourself -- What | | | | for years and never turn their dreams |
| really matters to me? What problem or | | | | into reality. They let themselves remain |
| wrong would I like to fix? What do I | | | | in a negative or stuck place. Only |
| enjoy? Where are my interests and | | | | action can change your life. Read a |
| hobbies? What are my priorities? What is | | | | book. Take vocational tests. Use a good |
| my secret passion? What do I want to do | | | | career-management professional. Do some |
| with the rest of my life? Reviewing | | | | career exploration and gather all the |
| these questions can give you new insight | | | | information you need. Then make a |
| to where you want to go. | | | | decision and go forward. Outline the |
| Use your unique genius and talents. | | | | action steps to reach your career goal. |
| Every person is born with a unique set | | | | The only thing at stake is your |
| of natural abilities. Talents, such as | | | | happiness. Finding meaning, passion and |
| managing, creating, researching, | | | | purpose every day you go to work is the |
| training others, drawing, can all seem | | | | wonderful reward, so don't wait any |
| like easy work because you have a | | | | longer. Begin right now and set in |
| natural flair for them. True happiness | | | | motion your own plan to live a happier, |
| comes from combining your natural | | | | more satisfying life. |
| talents, developing and excelling in | | | | |