Do You Know What You Do Best?

It is too bad that when you are born, you do not come with a book of instructions, at least you would know what your talents are.

In your formative years you are learning and are being influenced by the society you were born to. Biases and embracement of values are also being taught. In amongst these influences are your own attributes and many times these are covered over by trying to please your peers, family and meeting social values. Personal inclinations can be suppressed as they may not meet the expectations of the family’s standards or background.

An example of this would be a family supporting itself through the Trades having a child which is not adept with their hands, rather is an abstract thinker. What does an abstract thinker do? So, often one can grow up not knowing what they do best.

The fact that children born to the same family are not all of the same makeup or ilk is often overlooked too. No one seems to credit the fact that you carry genes from various forefathers long forgotten or probably never known about in your present generations.

Some peole know from a very early age what they want or are destined to do.

However most of us simply thrash around trying this and doing that. At an early age we simply copy our siblings, parents or our peers. Getting our first job is a major milestone and we are very proud of ourselves and gratified we made the grade to land a job... any job. This is where we can get off on the wrong foot, as how is this job going to influence our future and does it fit in with what we do best?

Finding out what you do best.

If you have not done this already, write out a list of all the things you like to do, those things you really do not like to do and the other things that it really does not matter to you whether you do them or not. This list should be done over time and given careful consideration.

If, you find yourself always reading, then obviously you like to read. You never sew, but you like to knit. See? You may realize that you do not enjoy school and would rather work with your hands. Or, that you prefer working outside rather then inside. Maybe irregular hours are more suitable to you then a regime of 9 – 5. Or, maybe you find yourself doing the same things the same way all the time. Many people find it hard to change, are you one of those people? Do you like to be on the cutting edge of life, always taking chances or is your security far more important to you? These are skills, talents and attributes you have which you need to become fully aware of, hence the list.

It is not time to decide what you do best yet.

Do you know what all the different types of employment and careers there are in our changing environment that can use your attributes and skills? …All of them?

It is now time to check in with a certified Professional Employment Councilor. It is best to work with one that is independent from recruiting centers but whom are part of the local employment network.

Sign up to have your skills, attributes and talents accessed by going through a series of programs which should take 3 to 5 days. These are done by answering questions which will cover, or at least should, your general background knowledge, academic and specifics tests, with physiology and social skills analysis. If you are physically challenged let the Councilor know in advance so they can make sure accommodations are suitable for you. Be sure to have your personal goals well defined prior to attending these sessions to assist those helping you understand and evaluate these criteria with the results of your analysis. If you don’t have written goals it is very difficult for you to know when you have succeeded.

Once the results of the total analysis of your personality and attributes have been completed you will be able to review the results with the Employment Councilor. They will be able to help you understand and access your strengths and weaknesses which have been clarified and how they apply to the various employment opportunities there are. They will also be able to assist you in determining how this evaluation will forward your goals.

You are now ready to enter or re-enter the work force with this new knowledge of yourself. Your Employment Councilor should be able to assist you in creating your new resume.

Why do you want to go through all this trouble of determining what you do best?

You really, really want to put yourself through this effort to avoid hating your work and losing valuable time while you are at work which does not interest you or further your life path. How can you enjoy your family when you are using all your energy to cope with a position that you do not like, is grating on your being or stunts your personal development?

So follow this simple routine and spend your life enjoying what you do best and to better enjoy all the perks in life with your family.