Want a roadmap to find your deeper purpose and use your unique gifts?

An important reminder before we dive into this week’s blog and Fireside Chat:

We’ll be opening registration for Create Work You Love, our online program for women at a crossroads or major transition in their careers, in early October. If you’re interested, or know someone who is, join our Advanced Notice list HERE.

Why finding your passion is overrated.

When I was graduating from Stanford Business School, I wanted to find inspiring work that allowed me to use my unique abilities to have a meaningful impact in the world.

But my Ivy League undergrad education and Stanford MBA hadn’t taught me how to find work that best suited my true self. In some ways, my advanced education encouraged me to follow a well trodden path to “success.”

There was no roadmap to discover my deeper purpose.

People would often say; “follow your passion,” and I’d think; “But what if I don’t have a passion, or I don’t know how to turn it into a lucrative career?”

I began to feel discouraged.

So I did what many people do, I chickened out and compromised.

I went back to work in private equity, following a more traditional path to success that was safe and proven.

After several years, I was making plenty of money, on track to be a partner, working with smart people I respected, and sitting on the board of a company I loved. And yet, there was still this nagging feeling inside that I was meant to be doing more with my life.

I was confused and wanted clarity.

So I did a lot of soul searching. I basically got a PhD in personal development.

I ended up quitting my job to follow my heart, and have since started two six-figure businesses that are deeply rewarding to me. Here’s what I’ve discovered;

If your goal is to find meaningful work and to use your unique gifts and talents, the traditional career search isn’t enough.

Updating your resume and mining LinkedIn won’t help you discover your deeper purpose in the world. Neither does advice to; “follow your passion.” That feels too big and daunting, and you probably won’t know where to start.

In today’s fireside chat, I want to share five steps to identify your unique gifts and talents, and use them to have the impact you desire.

Whether you’re satisfied with your current work situation or not, you can use this roadmap to better leverage your strengths, and find even more purpose and joy.

In this short talk, you’ll learn;

• A daily practice to help you feel energized and excited by your work.
• What to do if you’re in a stagnant job.
• Two research-backed tools to identify your unique strengths (I use these myself!)
• Why jealousy is a GIANT clue, and how to use it to your advantage.
• The only way to find true happiness (hint: follow your heart and intuition).
• How to let go of other people’s fears and expectations of you.

Once you listen, I’d love to hear from you.

Have you ever struggled to use your unique gifts and talents at work or to feel like you’re having the impact you desire? What’s one insight from this fireside chat that you can put into practice right now? Leave a comment below and let us know.

May you create work and a life you love,

Vanessa

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for the Create Work You Love advanced notice list! You’ll be the first to know when registration opens in October, and you’ll have access to a special Early Bird discount.

Know someone who is at a crossroads and looking for support? Please share this link with them:

https://vanessaloder.com/cwyl-registration-signup

Here are the two books I referenced in the Fireside Chat

The Wisdom of the Enneagram
-by Don Richard and Russ Hudson