Undoubtedly, there are those reading this who will say that’s a selfish philosophy, that we should spend our lives in the service of others. But those who do spend their lives in the service of others are doing so because that’s the way they want to live. The point here is to ask yourself, “Am I spending my life in my own way?”

The dilemma facing most people in the workforce today is: “How do I want to spend my life? What should I choose to do? What can I do that will fill my life with interest and bring me the particular rewards I’m looking for in life?”

Do you think most working people ask these questions of themselves? Probably not, and that’s the reason Morley’s definition of success should be carved over everyone’s front door. That gives every person a very worthy goal: to find his or her way, if he or she doesn’t already know what it is.

It’s something for all of us to think about. Spending our lives our own way doesn’t necessarily mean spending it all on one project or pursuit. It might just as easily mean going from one thing to another as our interests and desires change.

If you happen to be in work you don’t particularly enjoy, read on.

Point #1: If the recent downturn hits you where it hurts, try not to despair: Maybe you’ll be led to a new career, to a future that’s more balanced than the present job you’re slogging through now. Lucky are those who successfully rode the bull market to a bit of financial security – and who are now in a position to think hard about the type of work they want, or if they desire another full-time job at all. The not-so-lucky ones are people who, as soon as they get laid off, follow the initial impulse to run right out and get another job just like the one they lost. Sometimes it takes a year or two before they realize their mistake.

Point #2: On the subject of getting into the right kind of work, management consultant Peter Drucker has said, “People worry because they think a career decision is like marriage, to be broken only by failure or death. This just isn’t so. You have to accept your uncertainties as normal. Only a few early-maturing people – the number is very small – know from adolescence onward what they want to do. The rest of us have to find out.”

The message I’m trying send is this: In today’s world, there are so many interesting opportunities that it’s quite difficult for most people to make a perfect decision the first time. If it’s not what they happen to like, well, they often think that’s just too bad, that they’re stuck with it. But that’s not true.

Point #3: One of the great tragedies of our educational system is that almost everyone is brought up to think of themselves as an employee rather than an employer. This attitude or myth that most people accept unquestioningly is a major cause of unhappiness and underachievement in their lives.

This common attitude leads many people to see themselves as helpless and dependent. From an early age, they look for someone to provide them with work to do and money to live on. Whether you work in corporate American or are self employed, once you take complete responsibility for your life, you will always view yourself as being self-employed, no matter who signs the paycheck.

Point #4: The future never unfolds the way we think it will. Try to keep your eyes on the future rather than on the past. If you feel that you’ve made mistakes, who hasn’t? Try to discover what you can learn, and resolve to do better. Have a positive attitude about your ability to improve, instead of brooding about what can’t be undone.

Point #5: No matter what field a person chooses, there’s always room for another employee. People in that field are getting older; they’re moving up, they’re retiring. If people can discover the field they would like to enter, chances are they can get into it if they’re willing to make a few sacrifices. It might mean going back to school or starting over at the bottom, but if an individual wants it badly enough they can make it happen.

Point #6: Begin! Don’t just keep talking about it. Do it! And understand that the time to start will never be perfect, so start as soon as you can. You’ll never get to second base while trying to keep one foot on first. Take off! If you’re tagged out, you can come to bat again.

This brings us to another thought-provoking question: “What can I do to find work that I’m personally suited for?”

To manage yourself better, look closely at your major interests in life. What do you most enjoy talking, reading or learning about? What sort of books have you purchased and what sort of magazines do you read? What sorts of subjects in conversations most attract and fascinate you? What things most hold your attention? You always pay attention to what you most value and what is most important to you. If you read a newspaper or magazine, what articles or stories captivate you?

Remember, millions of people just like you frankly admit they don’t know what they want to do. This is why you should keep looking until you find something that you truly enjoy and that gives you the kind of fulfillment you’re looking for.

Morley’s quote is a good definition of success that you might want to live by and also pass along to your children: “There is only one success: to be able to spend your life in your own way.”

Joe Hodowanes, a career strategy adviser in Tampa, Florida, offers a free resume and career analysis. Fax your resume to (813) 936-0201 or email it to jmwanes@jmwanes.com For questions, call Joe at (813) 936-0091 or visit www.jmwanes.com on the Web. All Job Search Advisor articles on this website are the property of www.jmwanes.com (J.M. Wanes & Associates). You may download
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© 2005 J.M. Wanes & Associates.