X = Perfect Career: A Formula for Success
We’d all love to have a formula that would help us decide what to do with our lives. Richard Leider, counselor, author, and speaker, spends much of his time coaching high power executives on the power of purpose. After years of working with countless professionals, Leider believes he’s discovered a simple formula to help individuals make significant career choices.
T + P + E x V
“T” represents the most important element to consider when making a career choice: talent. You may want to become another Picasso but possess no artistic abilities. In this case, painting would make a nice hobby, but not a good profession. Focus on your strengths, the things you’re good at; and generally those are also the things you enjoy doing. Take inventory of your life and note those things you have a knack for; these things are crucial to consider when making career choices.
What are you passionate about? Or maybe a better question is, what is your purpose? Talent plus passion and purpose is a powerful sum. Aristotle once said, “Where the needs of the world and your talents cross, there lies your vocation.” Most people want to do more in their lives than make enough money to pay their bills; most people want to make a difference. Dedicate your talents a purpose, something you can get excited about. If you like accounting, and are passionate about not-for-profit organizations, learn all you can about accounting for non-profit organizations and work with businesses you believe in.
“E” stands for environment. What type of environment promotes your best work? And this doesn’t just refer to a particular climate or region (while most of us would work best in Hawaii , that’s not always realistic). Work environment is obviously an important element to consider when making career choices. You want to choose an environment that will foster both your talents and your passions; and finding a good match can take time.
When I interviewed employees one of my questions was, “Do you enjoy being micro-managed?” I was amazed at how many applicants said they did! I was the type of manager who appreciated proactive employees who didn’t need much supervision. But I quickly realized that work preferences are as diverse as employees are, and while some prefer to be micro-managed, others prefer freedom to work without much supervision. Be willing to find a career that appreciates your talents, passions, and work environment preferences.
And finally, you multiply these three elements by your vision: V. Leider describes vision as the way you see your life. Your life vision goes beyond your career, taking into consideration all the different facets in your life: family, religion, health, finances, etc. Vision is the puzzle, career is a picture in the puzzle, and talent, passion, and work environment are pieces of that picture in the puzzle. Ask yourself where you want to be in life, and vision will help you prioritize everything else.
So What’s the “So What” Factor? How can knowing this help me? When you are aiming for a particular position, and when you are in the interviewing process for that position you always get that question, “Tell me a little about yourself?” By following the simple formula of Talent, Purpose, Environment and Vision you will be able to structure your answer that will not only enlighten them about your experience but will impress those looking to hire you. It is a excellent tactic to use in the hiring and promotion process. Just giving you one more quill in your quiver to use on your way to your professional goals.
While life won’t be managed with a simple formula, it can help to know which elements to consider when making significant career choices as well. Taking a step back to look at your talents, passions, work environment preferences, and life vision can ultimately be a step forward in your career.
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(For other Leider tips on making significant life choices, visit an extended interview entitled “Are You Deciding on Purpose?” )
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