Myths About Callings

I've been passionate about the topic of meaningful work for quite some time, both through my research and in my coaching practice for female academics. What I've learned is that there are several misconceptions about what a calling truly is, and these often prevent people from pursuing their callings.

The misconceptions are:

• I have just one calling.
• My calling is about vocation.
• My calling should feel easy.
• My calling should last a lifetime.

I Have Just One Calling

I don't subscribe to the idea that we only have one calling in our lives. I believe we are continuously called to engage in various positive and meaningful projects. The key is whether we're prepared to listen. In my research, I've found that people often redefine the purpose of their work throughout different career stages. So, thinking that we just have (or get) one calling per life seems to create a lot of hesitation to explore, experiment, and be creative—as everything hinges on finding ‘the one calling’ that will make us happy. ??

My Calling Is About My Vocation

Many people choose their careers based on a calling. True. But that doesn't mean that all callings have to be about choosing a vocation. Just as many feel called to be of service and make a positive impact outside of their daily work, some might start a side hustle, volunteer, or explore new ways of expressing their ideas. The list is endless. The increase in portfolio careers or ‘slash’ careers reflects this trend, as more people pursue multiple callings within and outside of the work domain. ??

My Calling Should Feel Easy

This myth stems from the belief that there’s a perfect, almost magical fit between a person and a specific job—a notion backed by the scientific literature on person-job fit. Working in alignment with our calling can indeed feel natural because it taps into our unique talents. However, pursuing a calling is not always easy. It often brings up mindset blocks, inner barriers, and fears. Stepping outside our comfort zones and making changes aligned with our callings requires courage. ??

My Calling Should Last a Lifetime

In academic literature, a calling is often described as an ultimate destination—a lifelong pursuit. But in my experience, callings are more fluid. Some are fleeting, while others may last for years. What’s important is how we choose to live out these callings. Embrace your calling while it’s present, and then allow it—and yourself—to move on when the time is right. Instead of asking, “What is my calling?” try asking, “What is calling me right now?” ??

Want to figure out what’s next for you?

On Friday, August 16th, I’m hosting a FREE workshop exclusively for women in academia: “Unlock Your Callings: New Pathways for Female Academics.” Check the comments to sign up or to receive the recording if you can’t attend live. ???

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