Is your life’s purpose for sale?Written by Craig Nathanson
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- Define exactly what you’re passionate about and where you want to make a contribution. Is it music? Teaching? Sports? Photography? Cooking? Academics? Etc. - Define what is most important to you. Then, set short- and long-term goals that are aligned with these priorities. Without a clear path, goals are mere daydreams. Set up a process to monitor your progress. - Define new experiences that you must have to add a greater sense of meaning and fulfillment to your life. Do you need to start cooking more? Traveling? Taking classes? Skydiving? Etc. - Define your beliefs about yourself. Then, change ones that are no longer useful. Do you believe you are deserving of doing what you love? Or do you believe that work is not meant to be fun and meaningful? Dr. James Hollis, a scholar on philosopher Carl Jung and a writer on mid-life issues, said that as we grow older, both meaning and purpose become equal. Both are needed to thrive. Also, Jung wrote that early in life, meaning is derived through preparation for living. In later years, meaning is derived through an examination of inner self. What are results of living with purpose in mid-life? Victor Frankl, a Nazi death camp survivor, believed that urge of human beings to search for meaning is inborn. Researcher Martin Bolt said that having meaning and a defined purpose in a person’s life makes it possible to accept one’s own mortality with less fear of death and a greater sense of life’s plans and their meaning. Mid-life adults with purpose can experience: - A greater sense of integrity and authenticity; - An experience of being more alive; - An increased feeling of contribution; - Stronger health and psychological wellbeing; - A life that’s more congruent; - An acceptance of their own mortality and, as a result, less fear of death and a greater sense of their life plans and their meaning; - A feeling of greater control over their lives and a feeling that their life matters; - An increased sense of self-esteem and happiness. Is this enough incentive for you? You can discover and live a more purposeful life now. Don’t simply surrender to a world that will continue to rent your skills to suit its purposes. A greater second half is possible if you take action now! Remember Mel, Joe, and Minna? What connects them is that neither fits into a conventional definition of success. Yet pursuing conventionally defined success has led so many people on a journey that ends with disappointment and a crisis of introspection that Mel and Joe probably haven’t experienced. Minna, in contrast, is a good – and unfortunately rare – example of someone who pursued conventional success, found it wanting, and then had courage to make a change that didn’t lead to material riches. But her life itself was made richer.
Craig Nathanson, The Vocational Coach, works with those over 40 to discover and do the work they love. He is the author of “P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day,” by Book Coach Press. Visit his online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can sign up for his monthly Tele-class.
| | 5 Ways to Make Your Resume Shine On-LineWritten by Sibylla Nash
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4.) Utilize on-line tools. If you're posting on a job board, investigate site and see what they have to offer. Hotjobs.com allows you to post up to 10 different resumes while Monster.com offers a specialized diversity and inclusion job search feature. 5.) Use any means necessary. Experts agree networking is still number one way to gain employment. Network your way into a company and cultivate a contact that will be receptive to receiving your resume and will pass it on to right person. A missed opportunity is as close as delete button. Make sure you read directions when applying for a position. Stay in game by giving employers what they requested.
Freelance writer and author of DreamCity, Sibylla Nash has written for all of her life. She is a graduate of USC (go Trojans!) with a degree in journalism. You can read all about her adventures in motherhood as she details her daughter's baby modeling career. Visit her at http://www.tribecahouse.com
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