Articles

Answering Your Call – Finding your purpose

Jana M. Kemp

Dozens of stories over the last decade have included lines about quitting a job and finding real meaning and purpose in something else. We’re no longer in an economic environment where quitting work seems realistic. So, with long hours looming, work piles growing and household chores continuing, how can we find meaning in each day?

According to “Answering Your Call” author John Schuster, “a call is the urge to do something significant and meaningful. A call isn’t necessarily tied to a job or a profession.” Finally, a book about meaning in our lives that doesn’t tell us we need to quit working.

In eight conversational chapters, Schuster debunks the myths of answering a call. “It has to be heroic.” A call can be answered in the things we do every day. Look to the roles you play each day, mother, father, spouse, employee, manager, innovator, volunteer and so on. Perhaps your call is to be the best parent or an inspiring volunteer.

Another myth is that people get “one big call” that lasts their whole lives. Schuster’s research uncovered that more typically people have three or four calls that correspond to different times in their lives. If you are waiting for that one big call, forget it. Start looking for the meaning and significance in your everyday activities.

Schuster offers these tips for managing through the times we don’t feel like we are answering to our highest purposes. “First, take it a day at a time and find the little joys to celebrate each day. Second, look at becoming more of yourself. Ask yourself ‘what do I need to hold on to, what can I let go of and what can I take on to become more of myself.’ Then be open to the possibilities. And remember that just because there is no sign it doesn’t mean you aren’t moving in the right direction.”

And Schuster reminds us “when things aren’t working on the outside, keep working on the inside – on who you are. And when thinking about working on ourselves, consider this. A job you can find. A career you can manage. A calling you become worthy of.”

ACTION ITEMS: Identify the things you do every day that are a part of your call: working, parenting, neighboring, volunteering. Ask yourself what conversations you could have to provoke more meaning into each day. Decide how you will add value to the world today.

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Reprint Permission: The author is willing to grant reprint permissions. Please contact Jana Kemp: jana@janakemp.com or call 208-367-1701.