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Hello everyone;

I wanted to get some feedback from everyone regarding "following your bliss".

I am currently performing quarterly goals during my O3's this week (although some people seem inconvenienced by it, most of the team are very interested in working with me on my goals). I have been using Marcus Buckingham's books as a springboard as to helping people find personal goals that they like and which focuses on their strengths and I was wondering if everyone thinks that there is a "perfect" job for everyone, one in which they are happy being in and can apply their strengths to. I tend to believe that this is a definite possibility and that people should search for that elusive "dream job". Any recommendations or opinions? Any suggestions as to how I can pursue this with my team if it makes sense?

tomas's picture

I don't think you can state in absolute terms that there is a perfect job for everyone any more than you make pronouncements about there being a "perfect partner" out there for everyone.

There are a few lucky people that make lots of money doing what they love but there is no guarantee that your perfect job will pay well. Many of those who end up doing well have suffered for years before they finally make it.

There is a quiet nobility in working to provide for your family. It is not the sort of thing people tend to write books about, because it isn't what people want to hear.

Having said that, I think it is important to understand yourself and how you relate to your work and to find fufillment in what you do. If you are going to turn up to work every day you might as well enjoy it, and be good at it. This can be a process of incremental changes over a long period of time, or a rapid and fundamental change. If you are able to follow your passion, then by all means go for it.

ramiska's picture

I really like my job. That said, I wouldn't go back if they weren't paying me. You were spot on with "applying their strengths." Those are different for everyone.

If you're the boss, work with you team and try to make your workplace the Perfect Job. Often times ( I dare say most times ), it's not the actual work that makes people happy but the way they're treated by management and their peers.

jhack's picture

Coincidentally, today's WSJ has an article about "following your passion" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120759455236395551.html?mod=CarJMain_top...

It depends on the person.

Some folks have a single driving passion. Others can find passion for a number of things. Others haven't really found it yet.

Moreover, some folks have passion for a weakness (I've known coders like this - they love to code but really aren't ever going to be great at it).

What I have found to be true of most people is that they like doing things they are good at. If you can identify their strengths, and have them focus their work energies on that strength, they will smile more and be more productive.

John

kklogic's picture

I think it's a semantics issue. Is work "blissful" for me everyday? Heck no. Am I "passionate" about it and enjoy what I do? Absolutely.

You are on the right track. My job satisfaction has increased exponentially since we've rearranged job responsibilities based on strengths. As it turns out, the detailed, task-driven stuff I hated makes someone else thrilled to take over -- and I get to focus on strategy and writing. Now two employees are happy!

HMac's picture

CalKen - my only advice is to be wary of "destination thinking" (the dream job as something you will find or grow into, and then HAVE...).

It's the journey.

:arrow: Look for the "one WOW! a day."

:arrow: Savor and enjoy that "WOW."

:!: You'll have lots of bliss.

-Hugh

PS - a great, short book is "The Dip" by Seth Godin. It will give you additional perspective on making sure you're working at soemthing that really matters to you.

CalKen's picture

Great replies, thanks very much. I constantly look for that "wow" moment but until now I have not done much to try and understand it more. I have a mixed bag of talent on my team and I am always looking for ways to focus on what they like based on their strengths.

Kklogic;

You mentioned that your team rearranged job responsibilities baed on strengths. Could you elaborate on that? How was it done in your team?