Discover Your Passion

After a 90-minute dialog with a client recently, I sent her an email summarizing our observations. I include it here so you can get the “flavor” of this process.

Hi, Rachel,

It was good talking with you this morning! I hope at some point in the not too distant future you’ll find a way to come back here for a visit!

As we discussed, networking to find the type of position you want is going to be a whole lot more effective than searching in newspapers and the Internet, and then submitting a resume. That is what most people do and it really puts everyone of them, including you at a disadvantage - you are in competition with all those other people for a single job, via a resume and no personal interaction (unless you happen to get an interview). But in order to network effectively, you need to be able to express clearly what the ingredients of an ideal position should be.

Here are some observations from our talk:

1.   All three events you mentioned reflect the importance to you of interactions with people. The first one you mentioned was the selling of lingerie at Macy’s. The particular aspects of this that have meaning for you appeared to be: that you are able to intuitively connect with people, that you are sensitive to their “place” - i.e. being able to read people, their moods, needs, what will help them fulfill their need; that you are able to fulfill that need, and receive feedback that this indeed occurred. You got enjoyment from being able to meet the needs of the customer.

2.   The second involved your being with people when you are “on your game” - being yourself, without pretense, fully present - with genuine interaction, clarity, and not forced conversation.

3.   The third revolved around your first on-the-job experience with the XYZ Company, where you were to convince students of the value of study abroad. You liked the interaction with students, where you could relate based on your incredible experience in Portugal - something you could use as a convincing argument. You appeared to enjoy in particular those interactions that resulted in genuine interest that allowed you to follow up and get the desired result.

4.   You also said that you are not particularly curious or observant; not detail-oriented, do not like to be micromanaged, and would like a work situation that allows your evenings and weekends free. You said that you enjoy situations where: 

a)   You can use your insightful nature, where you can sense, feel, understand the needs of others, all the while being mindful of their “right of refusal”.

b)   There is meaningful, unpretentious communication.

c)   You are able to be unpretentiously yourself.

d)  You have others around, rather than working by yourself.

e)   You feel that you are making a difference (I assume this means that you in some way influence people and situations in a positive way - e.g. that as a result of your effort something positive occurred).

f)    You get feedback in some way that this is happening. You need to know that they had fun or learned or got what they needed. Ideally you hear or get that first hand.

g)   You are communicating about something you know.

h)   There is a sense of movement forward.

i)    You have a nice suit on.

j)    You work 9-5, five days a week. 

k)   Details are essentially left to someone else.

         

Does that capture the essence? Does it sound true and authentic? If not, what parts do we need to look at? 

Well, do you have clarity as to your passions – what would make you happy in your work? If not… let me know. Maybe we can undertake a discovery dialog.