Everyone has somewhat of an idea where their strengths and talents lie, but the trick is finding the type of work that can utilize those assets. Here are a few ideas to help you find your way.
Recommended Reading
Scott Adams, “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big”, (2014).
Matthew Hennessey, “Visible Hand: A Wealth of Notions on the Miracle of the Market”, (2022).
How to Discover Your Interests
Notice what kinds of articles you are consistently drawn to whenever you surf the internet. I always ended up on articles that dealt with real estate, stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, monopolies, intellectual property, etc. That was an early clue about what type of work would best hold my interest — the world of finance.
My top skills involved research, writing, and speaking. Those things always came easy to me. Eventually I realized that journalism involved these skills, but finance journalism was a better match for me because of my intense interest in all things money.
If you read an article that sparks your interest, print it out, (or bookmark and print it later) and put it in a file simply called: I Love Me. Or whatever you want to call it. Just name it something that lets you know you are there to discover how great you are, through your very own, easy come easy go, natural interests.
It doesn’t matter what kind of work it is, just print out the document. — just print and put it in the file. After a few months, open the file and look at everything you printed. All of your natural interests will be staring right back at you. Also, notice which subject has the most articles in your file; which has the biggest pile? This is indication that this interest is deeper than the others. We all have numerous interests. But if you constantly read about one subject more than the others, there is your biggest clue about work you naturally like.
This habit puts you in a consistent mode of documented self discovery. By transferring your interest into a bookmark and hard copy print out, you will have made a permanent record of what you like, and organized it into a file as well. Do this all the time.
Now the next thing to notice is what type of work and jobs are involved in the type of subjects that naturally interest you. You will not only discover yourself, but you will discover the personality of your interest industry. You will find industry sub-parts that you never thought of before. You might spot a niche in your desired industry that is not overcrowded, where you could make headway faster than you thought.
Next Up, Match Your Natural Talents and Skills to Your Natural Interests
The next crucial move is to identify what talents are necessary to your interests. Which of the interests that you printed out most naturally matches your basic talents? If you discover that an interest you have matches few of your natural talents, uh oh! This is your first indication that frustration is on the horizon. If you love something for which you cannot find a single natural talent, why stay in love there? Or if you just cannot give it up, can you slightly shift your perspective, so you can still be in that industry, but in a different role than the one you imagined? It is a big world, with millions of things to do! Can you open up your mind and looking for what work will love you back?
Which interests use skills that are clear talents for you? If you love playing baseball but you are no athlete, what to do? If you are not athletic, but you are a great public speaker, then you would probably have a more successful career as a sports announcer, rather than a player.
I knew a guy that badly wanted to be a reporter. He liked the idea of being in the hurley-burley, about town, and in the know. Unfortunately, he did not actually like being out and about, talking to a lot of people. He had a hard time with friendly small talk. His passion was not suited to his actual personal reality. But he knew that he was a very gifted writer. He knew he had an eye for the big idea. He loved seeing how disparate things were connected together. So, he shifted into becoming an editor. He ended up becoming the Editor in Chief of a highly respected newspaper that won a Pulitzer Prize. He did a pivot and danced his way into the right work, in the right interest, that matched his natural strengths.
It is not enough to be passionate about something! The key move is to find something that you are naturally interested in, that also matches who you really are. It is the work that comes easily to you, that matches your talents, that holds open the gates of heaven. Find work that you can really love, that can love you right back.
The Law of Supply and Demand Cannot Be Overlooked
Another thing to consider is the fundamental economic principle of the law of supply and demand. The greater the supply, the lower the rate of income. The greater the demand, the higher the rate of income. The best circumstance is little supply and great demand; this leads to high prices and income. The worst circumstance is great supply and little demand; this leads to low prices and lower income.
Where your interests lie in a highly competitive market, the law of supply and demand will still reward you if you develop skills that few other people have. Find the type of work for which fewer people can qualify because specific skills that come natural to you are needed.
So, study your interest industry; what are its foundations? What are possible niches where you would fit, hand in glove? Pay attention. Say yes to yourself. Be flexible. An opportunity will walk right by and you have to be open minded enough to see it. This will set you apart in circumstances of great supply and less demand. Because there is always room for a good one, but you have to have the personal maturity to know that you are naturally a good one.
Books on finding your niche career:
Utilize the “Unseen Element”
Another clue in the process of discovering your life’s path is through what I call the Unseen Element. This is quiet operation of the Universe, that exists outside of you. The first aspect of this is your relationship with the Universal God, in whatever form that takes for you. Ask your God every day to watch over you and keep you safe. Meditate and ask the big questions of life. When are you happiest? When and where are you a boss? God is within you. If you talk to yourself enough about what you truly can do with flying colors, you will eventually get a very clear answer about the work that wants you.
Personality and Aptitude Tests
There are free tests on the internet; there are paid ones. These tests are adept at sorting out your natural tendencies, habits, thoughts, beliefs, desires, natural talents and skills.
One thing about your research; don’t take any one piece of information with absolute certainty. If an aptitude test says that you have natural skills in some type of work which has little interest to you, move on. There is a balance between your interests and your natural talents. You have to have both.
Understand your deepest interests, but go out and find the work in that area where your greatest strengths are constantly utilized. At that point, you can go beyond your talents and into your dreams.
Take the Interests and Aptitude tests at TRUITY.com and get an insight on your interests and strengths.
Here are some books on Personality Tests
Pursue Additional Education or Skills
This step is about actually admitting to yourself what your talents are, what work fits those talents, and what inspired thinking gets you into a niche market that makes the idea, a reality.
But a word of advice, at this point, keep this between your soul and your brain. You don’t want to answer to anyone on this issue and you don’t want hassles with those who would immediately protest your choice. Just keep it quiet; the Universe loves a quiet goal. Don’t dissipate the Universal energy by talking about your goal this point. Just keep up with those print outs for now.
But, once having admitted to your true strengths, pulled articles that naturally interest you, made the determination if there is any opportunity for a good fit, talked to your God, and have made the decision to commit to finding this perfect kind of work, it will be time to quietly get moving.
So, let’s talk about immediate roadblocks. A common stumbling block is education; you may need a certificate or degree you dont currently have. Are you already aware of this roadblock? Well, it is time to kick it out of the way. Start right where you are at this very moment. Do not get bogged down in the idea that you must go to the top school in the country. Rather, just start doing something now, every day, that puts you on the path to the type of work you want to do.
Work with the tools that you have in your immediate vicinity. A military man once told me that the soldier who makes it home, is the one who uses every resource available, and makes the best use of tools the environment offers. Work with what you have. Grand requirements are unnecessary. Such a mindset may cause you give up, because your current environment does not have all the things you think you need. Just utilize the resources in your immediate vicinity. Think now — what could you be doing right now that would serve as a building block to your ultimate goal?
If education is a stumbling block for you, even major universities have online education now. You do not have to even sign up for a full program. Online education has developed so much that you can start with a single course to begin the relevant education you believe you need. Online education has gained the respect it deserves, in all areas of endeavor. No commute, no hassle, no problem.
Do Everything You Can to Start Doing that Kind of Work Now
Also, read, read, read about your subject. This way, if an opportunity happens to fall into your lap, you will have some resources upon which to rely on to get going. Further, find circumstances that allow you to do the basic work, even if there is no pay, and keep reading to acquaint yourself with the work.
Most of all, communicate with the people who are already doing what you want and talk to them. Find out what they did in order to get where they are. Try to meet as many people in your desired field as possible. There has to be someone, close enough to your world, that is winning at your game.
Get moving on doing what you really want to do, and can be naturally good at, because time is going to pass anyway. You might as well be productive with it. You are equal to everyone else. Work happiness is not for just a chosen few; it is for you, too.
Wealth is a Journey; The Road is Easier if You Follow a Market that Matches Your Natural Skills
You may say – “I don’t have the time! Doing what you want is for the wealthy. I have to be practical and make a living!” No, we are talking about the big picture here. You have to make room for your own happiness. You have the same twenty four hours per day as everyone else. If you have a working life that you don’t like, make a plan as to how you are going to change it. Your employer does not own your brain. Be resourceful.
You may not be able to quit your job and go straight into a new career. So start small and transition over. Stop stalling and figure out what steps you need to take to get there. Meditate and ask yourself what is stopping you. Once you identify the objection that you have in your mind, write it down, and figure out the way around the obstacle. Do this over and over until all of the obstacles have been demolished.
Suggested Services
And, read the books below, under Recommended Reading. “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big”. This book was written by the creator of the comic strip Dilbert. He is surprisingly helpful with the concept of kicking your unlikely passion to the curb, in favor of finding your top talents and skills and getting wealthy because of those.
And while we are at it, also check out “Visible Hand: A Wealth of Notions on the Miracle of the Market”. Since we are talking about money, it is in your best interest to understand how a capitalist economy works.
Capitalism is a miracle, and allows the greatest number of people to get and do what they want, based not on what the government thinks should happen, but based on the dictates of an actual market. Capitalism finds its true north only in the laws of supply and demand. This book gives you a good overview of economics at work. And its best, most hilarious, examples occur on warm summer evenings, around hot dogs, side shows, and cotton candy. Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!
Recommended Reading
Scott Adams, “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big”, (2014).
Matthew Hennessey, “Visible Hand: A Wealth of Notions on the Miracle of the Market”, (2022).
