Discovering My True Passion: A Journey of Self-Discovery
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Chapter 1: A Fresh Start
About 11 months ago, I found myself on a quest to secure a new job after being out of the traditional workforce for nearly a decade. This month marks seven years since I transitioned to self-employment, a change brought about by significant life events such as marriage and moving.
Initially, I was filled with enthusiasm as I began applying for jobs and even received an interview invitation after just a few applications. Concurrently, I enrolled in a virtual internship program designed for women re-entering the workforce, which aimed to equip participants with essential skills and a supportive mindset. This experience proved invaluable, offering me insights and assistance in preparing for interviews.
Key Discoveries
Through this transformative journey, I uncovered several crucial insights:
- Embarking on a Journey: To uncover the right answers, one must commit to the journey ahead. When I first arrived in the UK, I attempted several initiatives, including job hunting and writing, but quickly became overwhelmed and abandoned them. Looking back now, I wish I had persisted.
- Navigating Bumpy Roads: The journey will undoubtedly present challenges. Rather than a smooth bus ride, it resembles a rollercoaster with its ups and downs.
- Essential Ingredients for Success: A successful career requires a blend of skills, personality traits, knowledge, and a personal hobby. Resilience, confidence, and a willingness to confront failure are key traits to maintain your course.
- Understanding Your Purpose: A clear vision serves as your purpose, outlining your goals and motivations. As I navigated this process, I realized that my family and children were my top priority, necessitating a shift in my career path.
Turning Point
The pivotal moment came during a job interview when anxiety set in as I entered the facility. The discomfort grew when I faced the interviewers. I found myself longing for my children and felt overwhelmed at the prospect of sacrificing my time with them. My emotional response led me to inquire about flexible hours and remote work options repeatedly, which visibly frustrated the interviewers, revealing a misalignment in our goals.
This realization made it clear that the position wasn't right for me. With young children at home and the high costs of childcare, the stress of such a role wasn't worth it.
A New Perspective
This epiphany prompted me to reflect on my true passions. Although I enjoyed my previous role as a freelance business consultant until 2021, it required a commitment that was difficult to maintain given my current life circumstances.
I began contemplating what I genuinely loved and could manage alongside my priorities—activities that felt natural and sustainable. I discovered that my true passion lay in teaching or lecturing, yet I couldn't pursue that at the moment.
This led me to consider my hobbies, particularly crafting and writing.
A New Journey Begins
After approximately eight months of reflection, starting in July 2021 when my youngest turned one, I began to translate my passions into action. This new journey is filled with its own challenges, but it brings me joy.
"Your work will fill a significant part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. The only way to do great work is to love what you do." — Steve Jobs
Throughout this journey, I leaned heavily on my support system, particularly my family. When I needed constructive criticism, my husband’s (brutally) honest feedback guided my decisions. Additionally, my mother and sister provided invaluable support, allowing me to share my thoughts freely, leading to fruitful outcomes.
In this video, "Your Calling - How do I find my true calling?" viewers are guided through the process of discovering their true passions and aligning them with their careers.
The second video, "How to FIND your calling: Why don't we recognize our talents?" delves into the reasons many of us overlook our innate skills and how to uncover them.