Finding a Career and Life Path

Who are you? How do you find something that you genuinely love? What are you good at and passionate about?

I know, sometimes you don’t want to bother. Yet these answers are important to clarify your life purpose. In just the little bit of effort which I have done for my life purpose, it has given me so much more joy and fulfillment in my own life.

Don’t be one of those people in their 20s, 30s, or even 40s who don’t know what they genuinely love, and they go wherever the wind blows…

So how clear are you on your own life purpose? Today I’d like to share with you how to take the first step to understand yourself. This begins by building a solid foundation. You do this by identifying your current personality and character.

Your Personality Type Helps Clarify Your Path

To do this, take an online personality test for both the Big Five and the MBTI. These include different questions and make you think about how you react in various situations. At the end of the tests, you will get feedback in the form of several score numbers or axis results. Be sure to save your results in a good place for future reference. You might want to retake the test in the future and track your progress.

For a list of the online test links I recommend, just email me here: [email protected]

After completing the tests, I’ll explain your results in these Big Five personality videos.

Wait a minute, you didn’t think that taking a personality test once in your life will open the gates of purpose, did you? There’s just a little bit more to do.

Keep in mind: It is normal to have a bit of variation in the test results: each time you take it, the results will be a bit different. Especially in the MBTI test, there is likely to be more variation. For this reason, the MBTI is no longer considered scientifically valid, yet I personally find the MBTI very useful in day-to-day life.

The Big 5 test is more consistent, and currently the scientific personality test of choice. Yet you also have the opportunity to grow, based on feedback from the test as well as people you trust. Keep an eye on which areas you want to improve in your life. Just because you have a certain personality habit right now, doesn’t mean to have to keep that forever.

Your Habits, Personality, and Getting Just a Bit Better

Habits are just that, habits! And a significant part of the personality is your habits, so consider which new habits will bring you closer to what you want. Life goes on; everything around you is constantly changing, and so do you.

Many times, I have looked at my younger self and thought how silly I was (note to self: get a fashion consultant). Healthy change and growth is a natural part of personal development and a great life.

Part of this growth process includes careful feedback from people you trust: it might be friends, family members, a partner, or coaches & mentors. These people see you day-in, day-out when you feel happy, sad, or angry, and they know what energy you project to others, better than you do yourself!

Think of someone you trust with such a question. Ask them, what are three things that you love and hate about me? They might have some good insight for you.

Great, so we’ve started to figure out what kind of person you are. Next, it’s time to figure out what you love, hate, and are passionate about. Take four (4) blank pieces of paper (yes real paper!). Write a headline on each page:

• I am annoyed by:
• I really enjoy:
• I’d really like to learn:
• My biggest dreams are:

For each page, “braindump” everything which comes to mind. Invest at least 5 minutes on each page. Then put them aside, and come back to them a few times. To stimulate your writing impulse, keep the pages next to your bed or desk.

There are a few important life phases where this process will be useful for you:

• Before & after formal training or university

• When looking for a new job

• If you are thinking about changing careers

• During any major life changes

• Anytime you think you need it

For the training & university case, statistics show us many people realized they’re in the wrong subject, and want to drop out of university after studying for years. It’s ok! You’re allowed to make a mistake. This is the time to re-evaluate your situation and get good guidance for your new path.

How Often is it Good to Review My Personality?

Whenever you’re looking for a new job, it is also helpful to do this process. This makes it clear which jobs you are best aligned with and will enjoy most. Maybe there are also some pain points worth working through, like certain types of work assignments you don’t feel fully skilled with yet. Refer to your list of what you’d like to learn.

As well, every 3, 5, or 7 years, we enter a new phase of life. Our tastes change (I have left my heavy metal music phase way behind…) and we find new people and things to grow with and enjoy. So if you think you are in a life change moment, this process will be very helpful for you.

You are the creator of your own destiny. And with just a little bit of effort, and guidance from some good people, you’ll be amazed at yourself and where your life takes you.

Wishing you all the best,