All of us have a major job, paid or unpaid. When I question workshop participants about their professions, some answer I'm a full-time stay-at-home mum. It's a shame to think it's not a job because taking care of the house, kids, spouse, etc. is a career. I also think women—and increasingly men—who work and raise children should state they have two full-time occupations.
And you? Your primary occupation? Do you see this working? Our major occupation can be a job, career, or passion.
How many are dissatisfied with their jobs? They work to survive and can't wait for the weekend. This is a job. Some take care of the house, children, or spouse. When work feels heavy and we want to finish it, it's a job.
However, it's a profession when you learn from your work and people every day. I worked in sales for 16 years and didn't understand how I swiftly built the best team in America—Canada and the US—when I thought I was just doing my job. I realised how grateful I was for 16 years to have discovered my numerous abilities after leaving this profession to start my school, Listen To Your Body.
I can now state that my personal development school project would not have succeeded without this career. These 16 years in sales have helped me develop perseverance, courage, determination, creativity, audacity, self-confidence, listening, intuition, prosperity, leadership qualities, and a psychologist's gift of studying people's motivations, making me a good motivator. This career was excellent for me. Did you know that just 3% of salespeople make a solid living and keep it for years?
Teaching life philosophy is now my calling. In addition to the rewards of a job, calling our work a vocation means we value it for ourselves and the environment.
I learned this long ago when I heard of an elderly man looking for job. The only one he found was operating a 10-story department store elevator. His days were spent on his bench, moving up and down with people. He became very melancholy.
He got a knockout punch one morning and decided to change his work style. He became interested in the lift passengers, especially the store employees he saw every day. He was curious about their ambitions, excursions, feelings, and activities. In private, they started confiding in him.
This man helped them find answers by listening. Some even made excuses to utilise the lift and see him more. This was his job until he was 90. His death drew hundreds of mourners.
After 40 years, this story still resonates with me. This man made his work a vocation, I realise. After many years, hospital emergency department workers who interact with children, the elderly, and the sick say they enjoy coming to work.
We can tell it's their calling. You learned why I love my profession and have so much energy. I know my teaching helps many people, but I never forget the benefits I get from talking about love.
I hope you find methods to make your employment meaningful, paid or not. Change your perspective, not your work. Whatever you do, you and others will benefit.