I help leaders build systems and habits to get things done. I write about individual productivity, operational effectiveness, and spiritual formation.
The further I get into my working career, the more clarity I have about what I want to do.
This means more to me because I have not had anything resembling a linear career. I have not been a person who knew what he wanted to do from a young age and then spent his entire working life in the same profession, or even the same organization. In my career, I have been a software engineer, spiritual director, online program designer, project manager, founder of a lifelong learning platform, business transformation director, wellbeing coach, and operations executive. That's a zig-zag path for sure!
Along the way, I have benefitted greatly from numerous reflective questions that have helped me clarify what I want to be about in my work.
Here are eight of the most helpful questions for clarifying my work:
What kinds of problems do I want to solve, even if I have to struggle and suffer while solving them?
What do I care about impacting?
What pain points hurt me the most when I experience them or see others experiencing them?
What gives me energy?
Where can I have the autonomy to do my best work?
Who do I want to work with? (Either specific people or specific characteristics I want my colleagues to have.)
Which skills that I've developed do I most want to continue using?
What are the biggest life-giving moments in my work?
I hope these questions help clarify the work you want to do. The world needs more of the best of you!