Unleash Your Passion: How to Identify and Pursue Your Vocation

When you hear the word “vocation“, you may be inclined to think of a job, but it is a lot more than that. A vocation is not the same as a career and understanding the distinction between them can spell the difference between happiness and unsatisfaction.

It is necessary for everyone to have an idea of their vocation early on so they can at least be aware of the direction they want to go in life. This saves you from years of dissatisfaction in your career.

Being fully immersed in your vocation makes it possible for you to derive pleasure from work and your life in general. It gives you a deeper sense of purpose that makes it possible to be devoted and committed towards your responsibilities. On days when it is hard to find motivation to work, the knowledge that you are pursuing your passion will provide the energy you need to put in your best.

It is a lot more difficult to devote your attention and time to something you are not passionate about. In the professional environment, it is sometimes very easy to tell those who are passionate about their jobs from those who just do it mechanically. The end results of a task speaks to the level of devotion that went into it.

As human beings, we need to follow our passion and vocation if we are to derive much happiness and peace from life.

However, it can be difficult to figure out what exactly your passion is. It is even more difficult when you are unsure of the difference between a vocation and a career.

In this article, we discuss the challenges that make it difficult for a person to figure out their vocation, as well as how digital coaching can be utilised in paving the way towards self discovery.

What is a Vocation?

In simple terms, your vocation is your calling. It is the profession you are passionate about. The latin origins of the word translate literally to “to call”. Your vocation is that profession that you feel called towards.

The vocation you drift towards when deciding on a career path can in some ways be one of the most important decisions you will have to make in your life. The vocation you pick, in many cases, decides the trajectory of your life. One of the main reasons for lack of job satisfaction is that many people are not in their desired profession, making them feel trapped and helpless.

Being in a vocation you do not like can result in feelings of helplessness and bitterness. A lot of times, your vocation comes from your hobbies or interests. This makes it easier to become fulfilled both physically and mentally. When your profession is an area that you find fulfilling and are interested in, then it can be referred to as your vocation.

The difference between your vocation and a career

The difference between a vocation and a career lies in the fact that your vocation “calls” you. A career is your job pathway. For many people, their career does not align with their desired vocation.

Your values, strengths and identity can be a guide to your purpose. They are determinants of the career path that is best suited to you. When you work in a job that is not aligned with your values and interests, you may feel a wide range of symptoms including discomfort or disconnection with your job. You may also lack motivation and you may find yourself constantly wanting to leave your job. Things like this can make a person miserable or depressed. Sometimes, these symptoms can manifest as physical illnesses.

Not everyone immediately knows what their vocation is meant to be. For some individuals, there needs to be a measure of self-discovery and reflection before you can figure your vocation. A lot of people struggle with this because life doesn’t always give them the opportunity to follow their dreams and passions.

Self-Discovery for Finding Your Vocation

Understanding yourself, your abilities and your interests will make you a force to be reckoned with. You are far more likely to derive satisfaction from your career when it is aligned with your career and the best way for this to happen is to understand yourself.

1. Take note of your skills: The abilities and skills that come natural to you are often an indication of your talent. Most of the time, your talent is related to your vocation as we unconsciously develop skills that will foster growth and progress in our vocation.
2. Focus on where you are competent: Once you can identify your skills and natural abilities, you can then work towards improving and expanding them. This exposes you to opportunities that point you towards your passion and vocation.
3. Visualise: Spend time thinking about what you want your ideal life to look like. This gives you a clearer picture of the vocation where you want to devote your time. You also develop a keen sense of self and understanding of your deeper desires. You won’t be familiar with your passion if you don’t know what you want.
4. Learn: Expose yourself to new opportunities and challenges that may be aligned with your vocation. Before deciding on a career path, carry out research to find out if that job or career will give you the kind of satisfaction you seek from your passions. This way, you get a sense of identity.

There are many tools and techniques that can help you find out more about yourself. Digital coaching is one of those methods that gives you access to tools like personality assessments and values clarification exercises.

Pursuing Your Vocation

It isn’t entirely easy to just go after your vocation. Like most things in life, the thing you want the most can prove very difficult to achieve. In times like that, it is your passion that sees you through and gives you the motivation you need to keep pushing towards your goal.

Some of the major challenges that stop people from pursuing their vocation are fear of failure and lack of support.

Going after your dreams can be scary. This is why the fear of the unknown pushes people to settle for what they think is safe. They’d rather stay within their perceived comfort zone than go in pursuit of their passion, especially when those passions are unchartered waters.

The absence of support also prevents people from fully pursuing their vocation. Not having the support you require could cause you to second guess yourself at different points. Sometimes you even need professional advice on how to choose between two job offers.

This is why you need to firmly set your goals when following your vocation. You need an action plan that will guide you on the path you intend to follow. While passion is a strong motivator, a well thought-out plan makes you feel like you know what you are doing. You are also more able to track your progress when you work with a plan.

Working with a digital coach makes it possible for you to stay true to yourself and ensure accountability on the path to finding your vocation. Digital coaching can provide the much needed support you require to explore your passions and find your vocation.

Overcoming Obstacles and Challenges

Even after discovering your vocation, other challenges may arise that attempt to discourage you from pursuing it any further. Things like heavy financial burdens and bigger responsibilities tend to dissuade a person from their passion.

With strategies like time management techniques and by creating a financial plan, you can overcome the challenges that come with finding your vocation.

The good thing about digital coaching is that it is a personalised experience. This means that whatever advice or guidance you get is tailored to your circumstances. It is not a one size fits all situation. You can trust that the advice you get from your digital coach is designed to accommodate your own problems and situation for the best results.

Conclusion

Finding and pursuing your vocation will give you more in life than settling for just any available job. While it can be difficult to find your own path, digital coaching can serve as a means to self discovery and growth.