Finding Your Perfect Work
- Date: 2008-07-21 - Word Count: 664
Share This!
Are you convinced that you would be happier as a self employed person but are not sure what the heck you would do to make money?
I want you to have work that allows you to put your life together in a way that makes you happy. Work that allows you to use the strengths you enjoy using and to often be "in the flow." Work that you won't have to kick yourself in the pants to get started on (at least not most of the time)!
Positive Psychology research findings tell us that engaging in an experience that produces 'flow' is so gratifying that you will be willing to do it for its own sake, rather than for what they will get out of it. The activity is its own reward. Flow is experienced when:
- your skills are sufficient for a challenging activity,
- you are in the pursuit of a clear goal,
- you receive immediate feedback on progress toward the goal.
When you are working on this type of activity, your concentration is fully engaged in the moment, self-awareness disappears, and sense of time is distorted (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).
So what kind of work would get you in the "flow"? Here's the million dollar question: What do you really want to do? Don't worry that your answer may not be the "perfect" or "best" thing to do. Just what do you really want to do?
Ideas for self employment often come from:
- a version of your present occupation
- a hobby
- an answer to the question "why isn't there a.....?"
- you know you can improve the products or services of others
- a new or different way to use ordinary things
- an observed need
- a technological advance or changes in society
When I began to be disgruntled as an employee, I knew I wanted to work from home, have a flexible schedule, be able to set and complete my own goals, have a lot of alone time and make a good income. I enjoy writing and have a natural strength of listening, empathy and seeing the potential and possibilities for other folks.
I first began a grant writing business as that was the "low hanging fruit." I enjoy writing grants (most people think I'm crazy), my former employer was willing to contract that part of my work to me when I left the job and I was already getting requests from other organizations for this service. And most important, when I write, I am "in the flow", losing track of time and enjoying my completed projects.
And yet, as I continued to do this work and earning a good income, I still had a longing to do something new. I am blessed with many interests and energy so for me, a "portfolio career", one in which I can do more than one thing works for me.
I "accidentally" came across a career coaching training teleclass and knew I would enjoy that training. I enrolled and expanded my existing listening and empathy strengths with coaching skills. That led to the founding of Authentic Life Institute and feeds my desire to help others acknowledge what they love to do and do more of it!
Here are some ways you can uncover what your self employed work might be:
1. In your mind, create an "ideal day". If you like to write, write out your vision. Imagine what you do from the beginning of the day to the end, where are you, what kinds of activities/people are you engaged with, what did you accomplish at the end of the day? What time do you leave and where do you go? How do you feel?
2. What topics catch your attention? Travel, pets, politics? What kind of business could unleash your passion and energy? Can you discover a way to turn this dream into a business that others would pay for your products or services?
3. What are your natural strengths? Mechanics, animals, cooking? Match those up with something that others will pay for and you've got a winning choice!
To your Authentic Self!
I want you to have work that allows you to put your life together in a way that makes you happy. Work that allows you to use the strengths you enjoy using and to often be "in the flow." Work that you won't have to kick yourself in the pants to get started on (at least not most of the time)!
Positive Psychology research findings tell us that engaging in an experience that produces 'flow' is so gratifying that you will be willing to do it for its own sake, rather than for what they will get out of it. The activity is its own reward. Flow is experienced when:
- your skills are sufficient for a challenging activity,
- you are in the pursuit of a clear goal,
- you receive immediate feedback on progress toward the goal.
When you are working on this type of activity, your concentration is fully engaged in the moment, self-awareness disappears, and sense of time is distorted (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).
So what kind of work would get you in the "flow"? Here's the million dollar question: What do you really want to do? Don't worry that your answer may not be the "perfect" or "best" thing to do. Just what do you really want to do?
Ideas for self employment often come from:
- a version of your present occupation
- a hobby
- an answer to the question "why isn't there a.....?"
- you know you can improve the products or services of others
- a new or different way to use ordinary things
- an observed need
- a technological advance or changes in society
When I began to be disgruntled as an employee, I knew I wanted to work from home, have a flexible schedule, be able to set and complete my own goals, have a lot of alone time and make a good income. I enjoy writing and have a natural strength of listening, empathy and seeing the potential and possibilities for other folks.
I first began a grant writing business as that was the "low hanging fruit." I enjoy writing grants (most people think I'm crazy), my former employer was willing to contract that part of my work to me when I left the job and I was already getting requests from other organizations for this service. And most important, when I write, I am "in the flow", losing track of time and enjoying my completed projects.
And yet, as I continued to do this work and earning a good income, I still had a longing to do something new. I am blessed with many interests and energy so for me, a "portfolio career", one in which I can do more than one thing works for me.
I "accidentally" came across a career coaching training teleclass and knew I would enjoy that training. I enrolled and expanded my existing listening and empathy strengths with coaching skills. That led to the founding of Authentic Life Institute and feeds my desire to help others acknowledge what they love to do and do more of it!
Here are some ways you can uncover what your self employed work might be:
1. In your mind, create an "ideal day". If you like to write, write out your vision. Imagine what you do from the beginning of the day to the end, where are you, what kinds of activities/people are you engaged with, what did you accomplish at the end of the day? What time do you leave and where do you go? How do you feel?
2. What topics catch your attention? Travel, pets, politics? What kind of business could unleash your passion and energy? Can you discover a way to turn this dream into a business that others would pay for your products or services?
3. What are your natural strengths? Mechanics, animals, cooking? Match those up with something that others will pay for and you've got a winning choice!
To your Authentic Self!
Related Tags: skills, work, income, occupation, passion, self employed
Ann Ronan, Ph.D., RScP provides teaching, coaching and writing to help others live authentic lives doing what they most love. Receive her free e-course on the Top Ten Ways to Live Authentically -register at www.authenticlifeinstitute.com to begin this step-by-step program today. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Resurgence of Fred Perry Clothing
Summer might long be over and Wimbledon may be a distant memory, however the fashion is a year round - Uncovering Men's Tank Tops
I don't know a thing about you, but I'll bet that you have worn a tank top. Tank tops have also been - Make Use of Silk Scarves to Take Good Care of Your Skin
In the event you are new about silk scarves, you could never read about this particular feature of s - Just For Men Scarves - the Preference For Guys in the Vogue Domain
If you are not certain what style of present you could provide for men, maybe you can consider men s - Think Black Friday Shopping is Beyond Your Budget?
Moms who are juggling the bills and still trying to provide the perfect holiday gift to loved ones a - How to Make Conscious Shopping Choices
Many people have heard the phrase "voting with your dollars" and they understand that it means your - Silk Scarves - Unique Present Approach in Xmas Seasons
The most prevalent silk add-on is scarves, and many focus is presented on inspired designing on thes - Benefits of an Aloe Vera Shampoo
A lot of people are not aware of the specific benefits that using an aloe vera shampoo can do to the - How Effective is the Power of Your Subconscious Mind?
Most people are bombarded with this thought whenever they feel weak and wish to affect certain chang - Silk Scarf - the Record For Human Being in the Style History
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the worldwide recognition of silk scarves developed dramatica
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Surf and Turf: the Race Track
Surf and Turf: The Race TrackOne of the favorite places for The G to hang out at, especially in Summ - Are You Looking For Cholesterol Drugs Without Side Effect?
High cholesterol level is probably one of the widely spread complication among Americans. Almost for - Friday the 13th could be a lucky day?
Friday the 13th sounds unlucky ? Traditional superstition ? And a lot of people dislike it and beli - Don't Judge A Man
Our world is full of bad tongues, fault-finders, gossipers, mockers, and insulters but do these grou - When Personalized Gifts Make a Difference
Finding the right gifts for a particular occasion is always a challenging task. Sometimes it is nic - Managing My Resistance: Learning To Flow With What Life Offers
One of the things that interests me most about conflict is the tendency to resist it and the ways in - What Are Horoscopes Based On?
If you do not know much about astrology, you may wonder what are horoscopes based on and how astrolo - 7 Dumbest Relationship Mistakes Smart People Make
We often find ourselves amid the wreckage of a love gone wrong, wringing our hands and asking, "Why - Motivation as the heart of self improvement
You should be able to find several indispensable facts about Motivation in the following paragraphs - Is Complete Abstinence from Use of Paychoactive Substances Necessary for Recovery?
Can a sober alcoholic in recovery who has no history of abuse of marijuana, use marijuana without