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