Finding the Job that Suits You

According to Random House Webster's definition, a career is an occupation or general course through life. It's just that our real jobs don't always fit into that neat little description. Some of us are "working," some are following a "calling," and some of us are just "paying the bills" until we find our true path. No matter if you call it "doing time" or "being slave to the man," our chosen careers either fulfill a longing in our hearts to contribute something of value or frustrate us beyond belief.

And if the statistics are true, more and more workers are being brutally honest about their fulfillment. According to a recent survey in Business Week, only one out of six Americans is content with his job. So you could say 83 percent of us are feeling pretty lousy about our work.

Could it be that we don't even know what it is that we should be doing for a living? In a survey done by William D. Greenman in his book Purpose, Destiny, and Achievement, less than five percent of American Christians know their purpose, and less than 10 percent of those who do know have a written plan to make it happen.

So instead of picking up the Sunday classified ads when we are disgruntled with our jobs, we may need to focus on ourselves. The key to a rewarding career might already be inside of us.

Ready to Jump Ship?

So, how do you know when it's time for a career shift? Is it when you feel like you're at the end of your rope? Stress and burnout happen in just about every field of work. Feelings of fatigue and frustration are normal components of a demanding job. But they aren't the only reasons to quit your job and start looking for a new one. There has to be more to your decision. You have to understand why you are where you are –as a Christian with certain skills to offer, in need of a place to use them for God.

Bill Greenman's desire is to see every child of God discover her destiny. His organization, Purpose International, was formed to help Christians achieve their individual purposes. Greenman strongly believes that to be an effective Christian, we must take time to stop our whirlwind lives and examine what our personal, God-given purpose is, and then equip ourselves to live that purpose to its fullest. A rewarding career will follow.

"Find out what God's will is for you and then do that," Greenman observes. "It's the only place that a Christian can operate in the fullest confidence, fullest faith, and fullest power and authority."

When you realize that your current career or job is nowhere near the "doing what you love" ideal, Greenman suggests that you first remember that God wants you to be happy. "I'm a firm believer that whatever it is you're created for, it is going to be something that you like," says Greenman. "Therefore your career or job should be something you want to do, not just the first thing that came along."

In Greenman's estimation, many Christians today don't believe that it's "legal" to be happy. But the opposite is true. God wants your joy to be full. And if you're not happy with your current situation, you need to ask, "Is this what God wants me to do?" If not, Greenman says it's time to "get very serious about asking yourself what it is that you like to do."

Getting Started

The smartest thing you could ever do for yourself sounds so simple, it might strike you as funny: know thyself. Essentially, take some time to evaluate yourself. What matters to you? Are you judging your success by the world's standards or are you motivated to seek God's purpose for your life?

In his book and seminars, Greenman instructs audiences to sit down and make out a list of everything they enjoy: "Anything they would absolutely love to do, be a part of, or become." They can use as many sheets as it takes, but must include every single thing they can think of. Try it and take stock of your interests, gifts, and skills. Then take it one step further: Bring it to the Lord.

"Then ask, "Okay, God, what out of this pertains to Your perfect will for me?" And then take the time to hear from God." Greenman suggests. The patience to wait weeks or months to hear from the Lord isn't altogether comfortable for us. In the meantime, give your list to friends and relatives who know you well. This is an excellent way to get feedback and confirmation. Simply ask them for their input. Ask them if they agree with the things on your list or if anything is missing.

It's a great reality check, according to Greenman, because "it's really easy to miss things when you are so close to the source, which is you."

Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan

Once you've done the legwork, what's next? How do you develop your plan, and what elements should it have?

It should begin with a clear sense of your value system. Greenman advises that you ask early in the process, "What is the personal code I live by?" because the answer to that question will determine every decision made along the way. He uses the acrostic HIS for Humility, Integrity, and Servanthood. Greenman feels that if people seek their purpose according to these three principles, they will line up with the way Christ intended them to live, even in their work lives.

"Everything else that you are looking at doing must fall under that code," warns Greenman. "And if it doesn't, don't go near it."

There's also something that's very unfamiliar to many Christians, but a popular tool of the business world: a mission statement. A mission statement clarifies the particulars of your God-given purpose. As Greenman notes, it defines "what I'm going to do, where I'm going to do it, and who I'm going to do it with." This should be stated in one complete sentence. For example, if you've determined that you want to teach and make a difference in people's lives, you might write, "My mission is to teach elementary school in the inner city."

From your mission statement you will be able to develop your major goals, and then work your way backward with minor goals that will lead up to your purpose.

Greenman also likes to employ a formula spelled W6H2A, which stands for the six W's (who, what, where, when, why, who again), two H's (how and hindrances), and A for action. An important thing to keep in mind is that as you write down statements and objectives, your path will begin to take shape. And Greenman has seen the confidence that results. In turn, things begin to happen.

"Once you get started in a direction, it is an amazing confidence builder," says Greenman. "Writing something down that causes the spirit realm to go into action."

And during the entire process of this discovery, Greenman cautions us to keep one thing in mind: Stay involved with a group of people who know you. "Probably one of the most dangerous places to be is where you have a vision, but are by yourself. That is totally unbiblical and outside the scope of God's kingdom."

So, he suggests staying submitted to a group of people who can tell you when you're wrong, and you can listen to their ideas and feedback. If you surround yourself with people who love and care about you, they will confront you and help you stay motivated.

Greenman also believes each person should say, "My purpose, no matter what I'm doing, is to help people and bring glory to God." If you do this, you will be submitted to others and will probably stay on the right track to a rewarding career and life.

Greenman points out the peculiar fact that finding your destiny, as God would have it, is still your responsibility. You have to be active and take part in discovering your purpose, which will in turn point you to the right career. A successful career requires taking charge of your situation, seeking the Lord, and incorporating your beliefs into the process.

 

This article is courtesy of Christian Single.

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