Finding Your Spark: Authenticity and Meaning at Work

As a consultant, I spend a lot of time helping companies optimize their structures and workflows. But a question that often goes unaddressed is the human element: How can work truly resonate with the people who actually do it? In my experience, meaning isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition companies can bestow upon employees. Instead, it's a deeply personal journey of self-discovery.

We all have an innate desire to express ourselves through our work, and that yearning can get lost in the shuffle of conforming to expectations.

This internal struggle is something I see reflected in Peter Block's observation: "Each one of us has an internal struggle between being ourselves and conforming to the expectations that we believe our employers or clients expect from us." But what if we could bridge that gap? What if our work could not only be productive but also be a canvas for our individuality?

Work Has Many Meanings: What is Yours ?

In her exploration of work's various meanings, Elizabeth Gilbert introduces the concept of a vocation. She distinguishes between a job, a career, and a vocation:

A Job:

• Provides financial security, allowing you to pay the bills and live your life.
• Does not necessarily require passion – it's okay if your job isn't your dream come true.
• May not be fulfilling in itself, but it serves an important purpose.

A Vocation:

• Goes beyond financial security – they tap into a deeper calling or purpose.
• Fuel your creativity and connect you to something larger than yourself.
• May not always be practical or provide immediate financial gain, but they bring immense satisfaction.

A Career:

• Ideally combine passion (vocation) with opportunity (a job that aligns with your skills and interests).
• Require dedication for advancement – you invest time and effort to grow in your field.
• Represent the sweet spot where your natural talents meet a fulfilling work path. (However, not everyone achieves this perfect alignment, and that's okay!)

Gilbert's framework highlights that finding meaning in work isn't about chasing a specific title or position. It's about identifying the kind of work that ignites your spark and allows you to express your unique talents and interests.

The Myth of the Perfect Job-Vocation Match

It's important to remember that not every job will seamlessly transform into a dream career. Even Elizabeth Gilbert herself, the author who popularized this framework, spent years working various jobs to pay the bills while nurturing her writing vocation on the side.

Think of Albert Einstein, a man widely considered a genius. While his groundbreaking theories defined physics, his early career path wasn't a straight shot to scientific superstardom. He actually struggled to find a university position and ended up working as a patent clerk for a time.

These examples illustrate that the ideal scenario isn't always a perfect alignment between job and vocation. Sometimes, our work provides financial stability while we pursue our true calling through activities outside of our day job. The beauty lies in the possibility that one day, through dedication and perseverance, these two aspects can converge.

Finding Your Voice: A Personal Story

Like you, I too have grappled with reconciling job and vocation. For sixteen years, I navigated various roles, from customer service to innovation and futures studies. Yet, throughout those experiences, my passion for storytelling and training remained a constant. I honed these skills by coaching and mentoring on the side, a commitment that eventually led to the creation of my company, Turwa.

Turwa empowers clients to find their voice and express themselves authentically through storytelling, helping them bring their best selves to work. This journey wasn't linear or easy. There were times when the external or internal environment prevented a perfect job-vocation fit. But by nurturing my vocation outside of work, I was prepared to create a space where these two aspects could eventually come together.

The Power of "And": Embracing Both Job and Vocation

The key takeaway here is that you can have both a job and a vocation. Your job might provide financial security, while your vocation fuels your passion and purpose. Don't be discouraged if these two aspects don't perfectly align at the moment.

As you cultivate your unique voice and talents, you'll be well-positioned for the day when job and vocation can beautifully intersect. In the meantime, embrace the "and" – you can have a fulfilling job that pays the bills, and pursue a passionate vocation that brings meaning and purpose to your life.

As a takeaway, a good book to help you find your passion is the Passion Test.

It will help guide you through your journey of self-discovery.