career – GREENLiGHT

What Advice Would You Give To Someone Who Sees The Work They Do As Part Of Who They Are?

Interview on career and our identity gave rise to questions from interested listeners. Here I share my take on this interesting topic post discussion with Retirement Guru Patricia Reid-Waugh.

A career is an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress. For example, a child who goes into the family lineage of what they do…lawyer becomes lawyer, doctor becomes doctor, business owner hands down business to the child/children.

A vocation is a divine call to the religious life. Or a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation. For example, a physician who feels led to heal.

Advice

What advice would you give to someone who see themselves as having a vocation so that the work they do is part of who they are?

Sometimes a vocation and a career can be intertwined. Diving deeper, a careerist can remain in the same career for many years but enjoy the work in different settings, environments, or companies. So too can a person who has a calling and becomes committed to a vocation. The main difference can be gleaned as one who does a job as a means of survival in exchange for a salary to cover basic needs, wants and desires. This compared to other who will do it even when not being compensated. It’s a commitment to their very existence

Identity Issues that Arise

First, we will look at the definition. A career identity is a structure of meanings in which the individual links his own motivation, interests, and competencies with acceptable career roles.

Against that definition many individuals cannot see themselves as anything but their career. It’s more like a clutch. Executives and senior managers flaunt their titles so others can know who they are. It’s what they identify with. Individuals with lower-level jobs also identify with it and are often ashamed to share that they collect the garbage, for example. Yet turning that around, garbage collection can also be a calling. Just imagine where we would be if the rubbish in our cities were not collected.

A more direct and personal example relates to myself and what I shared about in the interview. I ate, slept, and dreamt about my job. It was more like a duty. There was no difference between me at work and me at home (when I was there). I gave it up when I had my little girl who was basically being raised by a nanny 4-5 years after she was born. As I reflected, I felt the tug of my calling to leave pharmaceuticals and go into direct healthcare where I could impact suffering patients because of my administrative strength intertwined in caring for others. I enabled physicians to work without having to bother about plans for recertification or regulatory compliance needs. This was something I believe was laid on my heart as a Christian. Today, as an author, I am led to make a difference through my experiences which have had the ability to impact individuals not only in my local community but also worldwide especially through my book Ditch It. Switch It and GreenLight: When God Says Go

My commitment to the Lord has helped others achieve his will purpose for them. I do that as a coach, a writer, author, organizational leadership specialist.

Another example relates to my pastor who passed away recently. At his funeral he was seen as a father, grandfather, friend, confidante, mentor and a student. This shows that we can wear many hats. It just depends on how we interface in our different roles as well as how we see ourselves. I believe one of the biggest challenges we face is accepting ourselves for who we are and who we are being led to be. We do not remain static in our roles.

How To Deal With Identity Issues?

Secondly, lets take a closer look at how we deal with the identity issue. Most important, do some introspection. Ask yourself these questions which were discussed in the interview.

How do you think about your job outside the office?

2. How do you describe yourself? How much of this description is tied to your job, title, or company?

3.How would you feel if you could no longer continue in your profession?

Asking yourself these questions (especially #3) will open the avenue to manage these identity issues.

In closing alleviate the identity issue with taking regular breaks (i.e. vacation). Stress is a significant factor that will hinder even the best of us.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Do share. We would love to hear.

Blessings overflow

How Do You Know When God Is Speaking To You? 7 Ways…

How do you know when God is speaking to you? It’s a question I have asked. Many others too. At major decision points in life it prods us like an annoying toothache that won’t leave. With persistence, it knocks on the door of our hearts…(i.e. if we are attune). Well for me, I have long come to the realization that there is no point doing anything outside his will. It brings too many heartaches, pain, and hard work to get back on track as I shared in my own book GreenLight: When God Says Go.

So it was with a rush of fervent hunger, and the warmth of delicious delectables that I tuned in when I heard Dr. Charles Stanley refer to this during one of his sermons. Here I share my own thoughts and commentary.

7 Simple Points on How to Know When God Speaks

1) God’s Voice will be consistent with scripture. When I was writing GreenLight: When God Says Go it was very clear to me the words “write in a book everything you see“. And of course in order for us to ‘see’, we must experience. So search the scriptures and stay attuned.

2) His instructions may conflict with human reasoning. When Peter was told to cast his net on the other side, it was confusing to him. As an experienced fisherman, he knew where to put his net to make the catch. So though it defied the odds…when he obeyed, he could hardly bring in the catch.

3) It will challenge your faith that you end up questioning Him. How can I give up my successful career to step out into the unknown? But it is when we obey that he brings quiet peace.

4) It calls for courage. How will you survive? What if you fail? These are reasonable questions to ask when considering a change. But don’t worry he will equip you. Whom He calls He equips.

5) He speaks quietly. But you must be listening. What He says will be according to His will and divine nature. If our lives are filled with constant noise, then we may miss his quiet response.

6) He speaks clearly. In the book God Winks, author Squire Rushnell captured many stories of people who shared what seemed to be glimpses in time of what seemed as mere coincidences. But later they realized it was as clear as ever the answers to their petitions to God’.

7) He speaks individually to you. You may be in a crowd, at an event with hundreds, or even listening via the media. But you will know when you hear the words.

I dare say that none of this will happen unless we are tuned in. First we must ask. I am guilty of being afraid to ask for what seems like unreasonable requests. I may even be afraid to step out, so I hesitate to ask. To ask for directions, guidance, and which way to go. But if we don’t ask, how will we know when we receive the answer?

Today, I implore you to reflect on these 7 simple points on how to know when God speaks. Then stay in tune so you do not miss the response.

Blessings overflow.

What To Do While Waiting. Here Are 5 Things…

woman leaning on wall

Pondering what to do while waiting on God? Here are 5 things.

1.PRAY

Pray. Talk to him about your needs, desires, goals. Ask for guidance in accomplishing his will for your life

2. LISTEN

Listen for his response. Often we pray then walk away and when he responds in a different way, we even miss it because we’re either looking for a straight forward response or are too busy feeling sad, down and depressed. Listen. Just listen.

3. STAY CLOSE

Stay close to the lord so you can hear his answer. Dr. Tony Evans shared the analogy of when you are driving long distances and you move out of an area, you have to change the channel. In the same way when we move away from the Lord because you may be worrying, afraid, or impatient, then you will find it difficult to hear his response.

4. READ THE WORD

Read the word because that is one way you will hear him speak. If you do not read then you will not hear and may miss his response. We hear his response through the bible, circumstances and in some cases through what seems like ‘coincidences‘.

5. GET YOUR PRAISE ON

Praise Him in advance. That’s what David did. He praised God during times of waiting. He lamented …but in all he praised. Build in praise while you wait. It works wonders for your heart, your spirit, and your soul.

Let’s together Wait.

Blessings overflow.