Getting A Do-over - I Can, I Should, Or I Want

Getting a Do-Over - I Can, I Should, or I Want

I HAVE ONE REALLY cerebral girlfriend I’ll call Jennifer.* Not only is Jennifer a great thinker and a great strategist, she is a person who loves: she loves her fellow human beings, loves her girlfriends, loves her customers, and loves to contribute. She enjoys making a difference in the lives of others and has even applied this life lesson do-over in a program to help other women.

Jennifer spent much of her successful career trying to make herself love positions she held because she knew she could do them (she had the skills) and she should do them (the positions paid well and were highly respected). But for her, these were energy-sapping tasks, not energy-filling careers. After a nudge she says came from God, Jennifer finally answered the nagging call to make a change—both in her work and her attitude. The result: she landed a job she wanted, a job that uses her God-given talents.

So what advice does this virtual mentor send you?

Recognize whether you’re doing a job because you can, you should, or you want to. Work chosen because you can or you should is often less fulfilling.

Be willing to make the life changes (sometimes financial ones) required for you to do the work you want to do and were meant to do. It won’t feel like a sacrifice when you’re doing what you love to do every day.

Determine if you’re using your talents. If you’re not sure, read Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Dr. Donald O. Clifton.

Follow your heart—sometimes it’s the vehicle God uses to direct you best.

Jennifer’s do-over hit me between the eyes. I think it was the first time I ever considered that even though I could do a job, I wasn’t obligated to do it. Yes, that is a liberating view of life work!

We can make our plans,but the LORD determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

Choose “I want,” and let the Lord direct you.

*Jennifer is not her real name, but she does make a difference in everyone’s life—especially mine!