How to transform yourself during a crisis and find your dream job

Crises of all kinds move us out of our comfort zones and cause us to ask big questions about what is important, what is worth doing and even what is the purpose of one's life.

In addition, this pandemic crisis forces us to rethink our careers because many of us lose our jobs.

But is this really the right time to think about a transformation?

Even for those of us who are lucky enough not being affected by the virus, the pandemic has increased uncertainty and caught us unprepared - psychologically and financially. The situation feels threatening.

As psychologists have shown in multiple studies, crises cause us to act conservatively - which is the opposite of what is needed when we need a career change. Finding your new dream job is difficult if you feel threatened or worried about the future.

But the fact is that the best time to do a transformation is now.

Why? Well, if there is something this crisis is giving us, then it’s actually time.

So how do we go about it?

How do we balance the urgent need to ensure basic survival - of our families and business with a growing desire to do something new after the crisis?

I've done several transformations during a period of 12 years because of personal circumstances and crisises which has forced me to step outside of my comfort zone. During these 12 years I discovered and developed a concept which has worked for me and I would love to share that concept with you.

The concept is called Ikigai, and it is a Japanese term that roughly translates to “reason for being.”

I was immediately fascinated and determined to learn everything I could about this methodology and how it could be put into practice in my life as an entrepreneur and human being.

What I discovered helped me to find the focus that I have been struggeling for years to define on my own.

What is Ikigai?

Ikigai is, above all else, a lifestyle that strives to balance the spiritual with the practical. You could also say a combination with balancing purpose with profit.

This balance is found at the intersection where your passion and talent interact with what the world needs right now and are willing to pay for.

If you segment and divide ikigai it will be to discover:

·      what you love to do

·      what you are good at

·      what the world needs

·      what you can be payed for

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt a certain existential frustration that originated from the conflicting desires. On one hand, I wanted to live a life of meaning and consequence. On the other, I wanted to enjoy the lifestyle that came along with money.

The result was an annoying battle between the things that made money and the things I really cared about.

I always felt there was something missing that I could never put my finger on.

I now believe that Ikigai is the concept I have been looking for. It's simply put, your reason to get out of bed every morning.

Discover your Ikigai

One of the many mistakes I’ve made in my life was believing that money could get me the freedom to do whatever I wanted to do. That’s why I always strived to become a well paid manager in well paid industries.

In some extent it did help me, because I could actually afford to divorce from a bad marriage and setting myself free.

When I think back on those days, I can’t help but think of the Alan Walkers lyric ”if I had a diamond heart, I’d give you all my love if I was unbreakable”

However to be free and well paid is not good enough and it doesn’t fullfill your life. To discover you Ikigai, you must first find what you’re most passionate about.

What you love to do.

Then, you find the medium through which you can express that passion.

I will give you myself as an example.

What I love to do is to inspire people by teaching and leading the way.

I love to see the energy created when people are accomplishing things together. Difficult things. When people co-create to solve problems for the better good. Especially within sustainability.

What I am good at, is being a good student.

I’m a fast learner and I’m always curious to learn new things.

I’m also good at explaining complicated things in an easy way, so that people understand and can implement methodologies, strategies, tactics and processes.

You also have to find your passion.

It never felt right, but I thought that if I had money, then I could have an impact on the world…

What I learned, however, is that form follows intent.

Steve Jobs is a great example of this idea. It’s easy to think of Jobs as a titan of technology, but that would be wrong. Jobs was a lover of fine craftsmanship, first and foremost.

Whether it was about obsessing over design details for different products, or collecting handmade Japanese teacups, his passion was finely crafted items.

Apple and Pixar were just his chosen medium of expression.

This is something I can relate to. I'd be lying if I said I always cared deeply about finance, technology or sustainability. The truth is that these things are not very meaningful to me in themselves.

What I am passionate about is leading people through difficult times and difficult things, which many may not dare. To help them find their highest potentials in order to change the world for the better.

I then use different mediums to accomplish that, such as providing an online certification course for sustainability or building a community with people who share the same dream of creating a better world by doing good business.

Therefore, my mission is "Dare to Lead".

My company is simply the engine through which I can take these passions, apply them to the things that the world needs, and make a profit in the process.

In other words, VATI is my Ikigai.

A transformative realization

Don’t mistake this by saying that work is the most important thing in my life. My children and family are the most central and important areas in my life.

But there is a difference between the things that are important in your life and your life’s work.

Ikigai is about finding joy, fulfillment and balance in the daily routine of life.

The fundamental of Ikigai is that everything is connected. Family, passion, job, desires… every aspects of life.

When I realized that it is possible to be true to your passion and at the same time live a life of consequences and use business as a medium of expression – that’s when I decided to start my first company. VATI of Sweden.

I strongly believe there's no better time in history then right now, to live your passion and share your gifts with the world.

Now is your opportunity to play a higher role, serve a higher purpose and earn a higher income. So take the opportunity this pandemic crisis is giving us and transform yourself to find your dreamjob!

Begin with the end in mind. Start with the end outcome and work backwards to make your dream possible

In the end, when it comes to transforming your self and your career during this time of crisis, remember this one important thing: The time to get started is now — but don’t go it alone.

My mission in life is to create a better world by doing good business and influence as many people as possible to do the same.