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Is your Knack your Mission in Life? - Article from our Life Coaching Programs
Is your Knack your Mission in Life?
Brenda Griffin Get a Job Expert
You can’t become who you aren’t already. ~ Unknown
![[Image]](/images/content/inspdec27.jpg)
You were born to be great at something. You have special talents and abilities that make you who you are. And who you are is great! You have a knack for something. Is that something really your mission in life? And are you living that mission?
For four months now, I have provided opportunity to focus on what you are really good at. Here is a summary of the Knack series:
- Know your knacks. Ponder your special talents, things you have a knack for.
- Investigate your knacks. Take classes, network, job shadow and read.
- Create an action plan. Put your knack to use in your life.
- Your life mission.
What you have been doing through this process is gaining insight into what your mission in life may be. How exciting is that? Are you ready to make 2009 the year that you pursue your knack and walk out your mission in life?
Maybe you are someone who believes work is “work” and that it is not supposed to be satisfying or enjoyable. If so, I can see why. It has been reported that as many as 85% of workers are not using their core talents on the job. That’s a big number!
Work does not have to be hard. Work doesn’t have to be endured. Work doesn’t have to be a daily grind! You can find ways to use your knack to make a living or volunteer, and fulfill your mission.
Think what your day would be like filled with activities that you love doing - activities that come naturally to you. Would that feel like work? I’m guessing it would feel energizing and uplifting. Satisfying and rewarding! In the process, you might just be living your mission and inspiring others to do the same.
I know what you are thinking, “I can’t make a living doing what I love.” “I don’t have the education I need.” I’ve heard the excuses. Here are a few more. “I could never do that.” “I don’t know enough.” “I don’t have the money to get started.” “I have kids in college.” “People have to push through, tough it out, and be adults.” Anything you would like to add?
The list of excuses can go on and on, if you let it. When you look in the mirror, and really come clean with yourself, what do you hear yourself saying? Are you using your core skills and talents? Do you have a deep sense of accomplishment from your work? What are you hearing from you?
Take some time in 2009 to get quiet and just listen.
Once again great post! I feel I've only begun to use my knack and enjoy my life and job more. Whats funny is my knack for thinking of something, learning it then doing it got me my current job without any formal training. People are just willing to bring on good talent when they see it. I feel most fulfilled when I have learned something new and/or then help others. Before I was just doing jobs that paid well but didn't feel like I was contributing much. Felt like it was just a job. Now I feel more in control and satisfied because I'm learning and contributing in a big way. It also helps that I work with friends now, need that social aspect. I have learned that I don't need to know everything, just be willing to learn it and do it and help others.In fact, lately I've been losing some job satisfaction because I've stopped learning and started only thinking of me. Feels empty, know what I mean. But this article helps me to understand why I've been feeling that way. Learning and helping is what I'm good at and its what makes me feel good.
Thanks :)
I would also like to add that my knack requires active work but has better payoffs. I've been becoming more passive lately and hence less satisfied. I guess its like going to the gym for me. Its hard to motivate myself to go but well worth the great feeling I get afterwards. So I definitely can't be lazy if I want real results and real fullfilment. Seems that everyone is trying to do the passive stuff that requires little effort and the success is generally shortlived. I too have given into this temptation in many areas of my life to avoid the work necessary to achieve real success.
Sorry to comment so much but I just thought of something. One of the things thats been holding me back from using my talents is fear of failure. I have a bad habit of analyzing things until I come up with a reason or reasons an idea or undertaking won't work. The crazy thing is they are very valid reasons and so I become very convinced that I just shouldn't risk it and should think of another idea. And so I am a walking perpetual idea generator trying to think of a safer or better way to apply my talents but never feeling100% about any idea long enough to put it into action.
Any recommendations?
Last comment today, I promise ;)
Hi Eltonjohns!
Your comments are always welcome. I enjoy reading them. No apologies......!
I like that you are learning so much about yourself. Knowing your need for a social component from your work. And that you like to learn and share. Those are important things to know for a satisfying work life.
Goal setting is also important. The sense of accomplishment you mention is really satisfying! Continuing to set goals is a great way to keep that feeling alive - great reminder!
And Ah, yes. The fear of failure......and analysis by paralysis. The mind is a beautiful thing isn't it? Our thoughts can be our best friend and our worst enemy!
I'm wondering, is this fear in one particular area of life ...using your talents? Or do you find it an overall pattern? Something to think about. What areas of your life do you not hesitiate to take risks with? What is no big deal in some ways and show stopping in others?
As for recommendations, yes - I have a few!
1) Listen to the pod casts that Coach Steele did a while back on this very topic - fear of failure. They can be found under inspirations, daily podcasts...on the right side of the page is the archve.
2) Listen to his daily podcasts.
3) Use the Tools to Life program. I see you are on Day 6. I don't want to spoil all the surprises that await you! But fear is a topic that is covered.
It is a wonderful program. What would it be like for you to know that working tools will help you with this? And all you have to do is log in everyday (or when you can), watch the videos, listen to the audios, do the readings and exercises....and follow the checklist! Simple!
I'm a graduate of the program.....I started over a year and a half ago. It changed my life in ways I had no idea needed changing or that I actually wanted to change.....and all I did was follow along. How would it make you feel to have that red graduate stripe across your icon?
Would you be willing to make a commitment to yourself to log in everyday and chip away at that program? See where it leads you?
I would also recommend that you blog as you go. Share what you learn. Share what you struggle with. The community support is amazing and adds to the overall experience for you and others.
I'm glad you are here. Thanks for sharing your thoughts today.
Cheers!
Brenda
AND...keep reading the Inspirations and commenting here!
I love to hear people thinking out loud. You can see the steam coming off your words as you grow and learn and ponder right before our eyes.
The fear of failure. I think i am an expert at that. Life is passing bye so quickly,but lessons learned are put on the back burner because it is easier to live a safe,non productive life and working at a job at a job that is not fullfilling because "i will fail if i move on" "i have been an this job for many years". Lying in bed and watching life go on is easier than taking a chance and using your learning abilities to try something different in life. Fear of failure is such an easy way out of not living to your potential
The fear of failure. I think i am an expert at that. Life is passing bye so quickly,but lessons learned are put on the back burner because it is easier to live a safe,non productive life and working at a job at a job that is not fullfilling because "i will fail if i move on" "i have been an this job for many years". Lying in bed and watching life go on is easier than taking a chance and using your learning abilities to try something different in life. Fear of failure is such an easy way out of not living to your potential