Don’t take on a job that isn’t your cup of tea

It is possible that your sense of right and wrong frequently reminds you that you are stuck in a wrong job. If yes, do you ponder over what work you should actually be in?

To be able to respond to the above focal issue, you should first scrutinize your inclinations, convictions, abilities and requirements for their conformity with your present career course. To facilitate this, you need to look within yourself and discern what you are cut out for. A simple three step process will help you do so:

Introspection:  You should ponder over the following questions and jot down your answers:

·   Does your mind wander? What is that you fantasize or contemplate about?

·   Do your leisure interests entail indoor or outdoor pursuits?

·   If you like to make friends, what are the types of people in whose company you feel comfortable?

·   Do you still have the child in you? If yes, what games and toys do you like playing with?

·   If you political inclinations, are your beliefs radical, neutral or tolerant?

·   In your circle of friends, what are the issues that you generally talk about?

·   While studying, what were your preferred subjects?

·   Which extracurricular activities at school or college inspired you the most?

·   If you watch films, what categories interest you?

·   Do you do reading for pleasure or for gaining knowledge; and what subjects do you interest you the maximum?

·   Do you watch television or listen to the radio? If yes, which programmes do you enjoy the most?

·   Have you ever tried your hand at painting? If yes, what is that you are adept at sketching?

·   If this is not your first job, what have been your most liked jobs?

·   Which amongst your useful contributions at work have been appreciated the most?

·   If you were to reign the world, what transformations would you like to bring about?

·   If you were to win a lottery, how would you spend the prize money?

·   Do you get annoyed at others? If yes, what are the issues that irritate you?

·   What is that facet of your life that you cherish the most and why?

·   Do you like working for the society and willingly participate in social service activities?

·   Do you harbour a desire to do things that you have not tried before? If yes, which amongst them do you feel you will excel at?

·   Do you ever think of your death? If yes, how would you, as an individual be liked to be reminisced as?

Evaluation:  The next step now is to examine your answers. You will be able to discern precise and specific performances that are common in several facets of your life. If you can segregate the common information, you will recognize a set pattern of preferences and conduct. In addition, you will also be able to fathom your ongoing and long-term interests. Having done so, you will be able to etch out a picture of yourself – something that will be representative of what you stand for. You will be able to arrive at conclusions pertaining to the following prime aspects of your personality:

·   Prime concerns and appeals.

·   Convictions and principles.

·   Aspirations and purpose in life.

·   Obligations and necessities.

·   Fields you can excel in.

Weighing things:  Having found out what is your cup of tea, you should now ask yourself if your current job facilitates attainment of the six prime aspects of your personality. If your answer is in the affirmative, you are almost certainly in the correct place and moving in the right direction. But if you have a gut feeling to indicate otherwise, then it is probably time to find something else.

Remember that no man can succeed in a line of endeavor which he does not like. Analyzing what you have not got as well as what you have is a necessary ingredient of a career.