Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 1/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Wanda, this question is going to sound really silly. It's not anything to do with the fields you have listed here, but you have always given me excellent advice about things in general, even if they're not to do with your subjects of interest, so I hope you won't mind. Anyway, I'm 19 and I have a lot of things that I'm interested in and would like to do as a career but can't for some reason or another. When I'm old I want to feel like I have fulfilled my purpose in life, but how can I do this when I don't feel like I have any real purpose? I can't find or think of anything that just feels right when I do it and I want a career that does make me feel like I'm doing the right thing with my life. What should I do?

ANSWER: Hi Liz...And thanks for writing.  Your question is a very good one and is not silly at all.  I think it is very wise of you to reach out and ask someone this.  It is very important.  

Let's do this in steps, ok?  We might be writing back and forth for a bit here as I want to help you think through this in bite sized pieces.  OK?  

If you can start to create a journal about this (these bite sized pieces), it would be helpful for you as these kinds of notes and thoughts will most likely guide you for a while in your life.  

So the first thing I want you to do is an exercise.  Write down for yourself (you don't have to show me) what you value.  

For e.g. one of my values is regarding flexibility - I need to do work that is flexible with time.  Another one of my values is creativity - I must do something for work that is creative.  Another is people oriented with an opportunity for breaks and solitude.  

What you want is a list of the non-negotiables - the things that you must have in your life.  Think about time, energy, money, relationship, fun...

In addition, you want to be sure that on your list of values are results that you want to see by the end of your work.  

For e.g. I like to see smiles on people's faces.  I like to see people talking about the difference that I have made.  I like to see gratitude.  I love to see returning customers.  

Start there and let me know how it goes.  

Take as long as you need.  

Just so you know, I am going to be away the week of the 8th of February.  If we are still working on this, I promise I will return the week after to continue.  

Wanda



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again! Thankyou so much for taking such an interest and for giving me so much of your time and advice. I really appreciate it. I have done the exercise you suggested, and I have started a journal and this has helped me sort out a lot of things. What should I do next? Thanks again.

Answer
Hi Liz!  Congratulations on taking that step. That is fantastic.  

Well, maybe it would help me to know a little more about your results from the exercise.  What came out of the exercise?  What did you sort out?  

If you have a better idea of what you want, is there a career or occupation or profession that fits that?  If you can't see that yet, that's ok.  

Just begin to think about all of the different occupations that sort of interest you.   Now ask yourself if all of the things you value and are non-negotiable are a part of that occupation.  If they aren't, then you know that is not for you.  If you don't know, then you have some homework to do to find out.  

Does that help you move to the next step?


Wanda
www.kaizenworks.org