Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "When I retire, then I'll finally do what I love"? It's a common thought, this idea that our passions, the activities that truly light us up, belong only in the margins of our lives, squeezed into evenings, weekends, or that distant future called retirement. Why do we so often postpone joy? Why not embrace what we love right now?

Many of us navigate life as if on a predetermined track: school, maybe college, then finding a job tied to that education, and working steadily until we earn a 'well-deserved' break. This path feels almost mechanical, doesn't it? It's a structure largely inherited from an earlier time, the dawn of the industrial age, when society primarily needed people trained in specific, hierarchical skills – think mathematics first, language second, sciences third – to fit into organized systems.

Consider how pathways can diverge. Someone might study a highly technical field, transition into management in a completely different industry, and then, much later in life, find profound success and fulfillment in something unexpected, like law. It’s a powerful reminder that the potential to discover and live out our calling exists throughout our entire lives. Yet, the education we receive doesn't always align with our deepest inclinations or interests. Sometimes, our professional direction is chosen for us, perhaps by well-meaning parents hoping we'll follow in their footsteps, leading to generations in the same trade, whether medicine or pottery.

While education doesn't always spark joy, meaningful work can bring immense satisfaction and enrich our lives. But often, a nagging feeling persists – a sense that we aren't quite where we're meant to be professionally. We might feel stuck, thinking it's too late to change course. We accept the path we're on, held back by fear – fear of the unknown, fear of losing stability, income, or a convenient schedule. As the speaker Jim Rohn suggested, if you don't like where you are, move; you are not a tree. So, where does this dissatisfaction stem from? And what can we do about it? What are we truly missing?

Understanding Your Calling: More Than Just a Job

To answer these questions, let's explore the idea of a "calling." Think of it as finding your unique place in the world, where you engage in activities you genuinely love and feel a sense of harmony within yourself. It’s where your natural abilities and skills intersect with your passions and sense of purpose.

Imagine a Venn diagram where your talents, your personality traits, and what gives you a sense of meaning overlap. That sweet spot in the middle? That's close to the feeling of a calling. For instance, someone might have always been fascinated by flight, enjoyed helping and explaining things to others, and longed to travel and connect with people globally. Combined with being reasonably fit, these elements could naturally lead them towards a career like a flight attendant, finding deep satisfaction there even after investing years in a different field of study they never pursued professionally.

The Core Components: Ability, Passion, Drive, and Opportunity

If you're seeking your own sense of recognition and purpose, desire and opportunity play key roles. We can think about a calling emerging from a few key elements:

1. "I understand how this is done" (Ability): These are your inherent talents and learned skills – the things you naturally do well. Abilities aren't always obvious from childhood; sometimes you discover them simply by trying something new and finding it clicks. It's your knack, your proficiency.

2. "I am in love with this" (Inclination/Passion): You need to care deeply about the work you do for it to feel like a true calling. Think of those individuals often described as being "born" for their roles – like a dedicated surgeon completely absorbed in their life's work, viewing everything else as secondary to their primary purpose. There's a genuine passion fueling their efforts.

3. "I want to do this" (Desire): Your attitude and persistent drive towards a particular activity significantly impact the outcome. When you actively strive to do something and see positive results, you experience satisfaction, which fills life with joy and meaning.

4. "Where to get this?" (Opportunity): Opportunities can arise unexpectedly – chances life presents or people who help unlock your potential. Consider the story of artist Paul Gauguin, who initially worked as a stockbroker. His success allowed him to collect art, a hobby that ignited such passion that he began painting himself, eventually dedicating his life entirely to creativity.

Finding your calling means finding your purpose, feeling a sense of belonging. As Ken Robinson, author of The Element (a book exploring similar ideas to "Calling"), notes, discovering this often requires letting go of stereotypes, allowing yourself to dream, and nurturing your imagination.

The Hurdles on the Path: Why We Get Stuck

However, knowing what a calling is doesn't automatically mean finding it is easy. Obstacles often stand in our way. Ken Robinson categorizes these barriers into three main types:

• Personal Obstacles: These can be tangible physical limitations or disabilities that genuinely restrict certain paths. But more often, they are self-imposed barriers – our fears, anxieties, and lack of self-belief. Experience shows countless individuals have overcome significant challenges and deep-seated fears to pursue their dreams.

• Social Obstacles: Your immediate circle – family, friends, partners – may not always understand or support your desire for change. They might have different expectations or fears for you. Finding the strength to step towards your calling often requires looking inward for validation and courage.

• Cultural Obstacles: These are the broader societal norms, expectations, and beliefs we absorb from the culture we grow up in. Their influence can be profound, shaping our ideas about what constitutes a "sensible" or "successful" life. Faced with these pressures, many people sacrifice their dreams.

Those who persevere, who find the inner strength to push past these obstacles, are the ones most likely to eventually find and live their calling.

Steps Toward Discovery: How to Find Your Way

So, how do you actually find this calling? There's no single map, but here are some ways to explore:

• Pay Attention to Your Interests: What genuinely captures your attention? It could be anything – dancing, music, coding, gardening. Perhaps your after-work fitness classes ignite such passion that you pursue certification and become an instructor yourself, leaving a previous career behind with newfound joy.

• Remember Your Past: What fascinated you as a child or teenager? What did you do for fun? Did you love building things, telling stories, organizing games? These early interests can offer clues about your innate inclinations, perhaps towards fields like architecture, writing, or leadership.

• Focus on the Present: Constantly worrying about the future can rob you of the present moment. Ask yourself: What interests me right now? What could I explore today?

• Check In with Yourself: How do you feel about your current work or main activities? Do they bring you joy? Do you feel energized or drained? If the feeling is consistently negative, it might be a sign that you're not aligned with your true interests.

• Shake Up Your Routine: You're not a machine. Introduce variety into your days. Change your schedule, try a different route home, visit a new place. Breaking patterns can spark new thoughts and ideas.

• Try New Things: Actively experiment. This helps define what you enjoy and what you don't. Trial and error is valuable. If you try gardening and realize it's not for you, that's okay! You've learned something and can move on without wasting more time.

• Say "Yes" More Often: Don't automatically dismiss opportunities, even small ones. New experiences, even those outside your comfort zone, can teach you valuable things and might lead somewhere unexpected.

• Be Patient: Finding your calling can take time. It's not always a sudden revelation; it's often a gradual process of discovery. Don't get discouraged. As the saying goes, sometimes the slower road gets you further. Make time for self-reflection. Ask yourself questions regularly. Treat it as an ongoing practice.

Living Your Calling: A Lifelong Pursuit

A calling isn't usually something lying conveniently on the roadside; it often requires a dedicated, sometimes long, search. The key is to start moving and not stop.

Think about the countless stories of people finding fulfillment in unexpected ways. Someone might work odd jobs for years, disconnected from their true passion, only to have a chance encounter reignite a forgotten interest – perhaps like a childhood fascination with a craft, like shoemaking. Rediscovering that passion, honing the skill, and dedicating oneself to it can lead to mastery and recognition, potentially even opening doors in surprising places, like prestigious international brands.

Faith in oneself, love for the craft, and dedication to the work that feels like a calling can overcome significant obstacles and lead to profound success and happiness. Remember, a person who has found their calling is often deeply fulfilled, and few boundaries can stop them on their path. Don't wait for retirement to pursue what makes you feel truly alive. Start exploring today.

References:

• Robinson, K., & Aronica, L. (2009). The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything. Penguin Books.
  This book explores the concept of being in your "Element," which aligns closely with the idea of a calling discussed in the article. Robinson argues that finding the point where natural talent meets personal passion is crucial for fulfillment. He discusses societal and educational obstacles (similar to the personal, social, and cultural circles mentioned) and encourages readers to discover their unique abilities and pursue them. It provides inspiring examples and practical insights into self-discovery.