Jobs: Do You Know Your Knack?

It is what we do easily and what we like to do that we do well. 

                                                                                  ~ Orison Swett Marden

     “Should I take a class?” Those were the first words from Helen this week as we met in the hall.  I smiled and said “Of course! What are you interested in?”  She laughed and replied, “I knew you were going to say that! Interior design.  I love colors, arranging furniture, choosing fabrics. I have a knack for it, so I want to learn more. I want to be able to do this for a living, but I’m not sure how to go about it”

     It was no surprise to me to learn Helen wants to learn about interior design. Her use of color and fabric is something I see regularly in her choice of clothing and jewelry.  I often tell her she adds color, style and flare to the world.  It is obvious she enjoys paying attention to these types of details – it is her knack! Her look is polished and complete, no matter what.  It makes complete sense that her special talent could be of use in other ways.

     It is exciting to see that sparkle come through as she talks about her dream of pursing her knack as a future career move.  What impresses me most is that she has identified her own unique, special gift, and she is willing to investigate ways to transition that into a new job. She knows what she is good at, and what she most enjoys. Some people have yet to recognize their talents and abilities the way that Helen does.  Others may recognize their talents yet they are not sure how to make a living using them.  If you really stop and think about it, I bet you also know! What a great place to start developing a new career direction!

     For Helen, pursuing her dream job starts with knowing her knack.  Do you know your knack?  During October, think about what special talents you have. Ponder the following questions. Get a notebook to jot down ideas as they come to you, and feel free to post a comment here to talk about knacks with your community:

What do you do easily?

What do you do well?

What do you find yourself naturally doing?

What would you be willing to do for free with your time?

Ask your friends. What would they say is your knack?

How do you plan on spending your time when you retire?

What did you dream of doing when you were young?

     Once you know your knack, you can make a plan! Helen and I discussed many options for her to explore.  In addition to looking into a class, she will be going to a local Parade of Homes where local designers showcase their talents with interior design.  Networking with people for guidance and advice in the area of your interest is a great place to start.  In fact, Helen is so eager to learn that she is prepared to ask if she can volunteer, so she can get exposure to this type of work. Just talking about her options, and things she can do to learn more has her totally fired up! 

     Next month, we will talk about creating your plan. You can create action steps toward exploring your knack, and set up a path to transition into your next career opportunity!

Enjoy the next few weeks getting to know your knack!