The art of work ~ Jeff Goins

The calling 

We humans have been proven to have only three sources of fulfillment: meaningful work, quality relationships, and a redemptive view of suffering.

Until we learn to move from seeing work as a means for survival to see it as a calling and a channel through which we impact the world, we would never stop being frustrated. You weren't designed to do every job that comes your way just for survival’s sake, there's a specific path that has been cut out for you — a calling that you must realize and start living. 

1. Discover your calling - the purpose 

Discovering and fulfilling your calling is the secret to lasting fulfillment. 

A calling isn’t something new and shiny. Often it’s something old and predictable, a familiar face that’s easily taken for granted, an old habit or hobby that comes back into our lives. It will come as an internal longing for a particular cause or an unusual fascination for a specific field of human endeavor. That longing in itself is not your purpose, but it's prompting you into discovering more.

I used to think that your calling was about doing something good in this world. Now I understand it’s about becoming someone good—and letting that goodness impact the world around you.

1. The principles of the calling

There are no exact formulas for discovering your life's work, but there are guidelines that will help. What governs life is not formulas but principles. Principles don't change but tactics do.

The fact that your father worked for 38 years and retired rich is no guarantee that you'll be rich after working for 38 years yourself. You could create wealth earlier than that, and you could even die trying. The best you can do is adopt the wealth creation principles he applied in his life. If you are able to grasp and implement them, chances are high you may even replicate the same result faster. your goal shouldn't be to see how others did it but to understand the principles behind it. Your experience will be unique, but principles will guide you.

1. Follow the direction 

If you look back at your life so far and consider your experiences, gifts, and desires, you would notice a fine thread of purpose coursing through your experiences and passions. you'd see that your current passion and the overarching desires you've had since childhood synchronize in a good way, pointing you in a specific direction. 

You won't know where the road will lead, but the best you can do is begin actively working in that direction. Clarity comes with action and not just waiting for a miracle to happen.. You don't just jump into the unknown without some level of preparation, but at the same time, you don't sit and wait for everything to be perfect. A wise thing to do is to come up with a plan. Maybe a two year plan or three, or shorter. Your plan should include starting the new on the side and saving money for when you’ll leave your day job. 

1. Mentorship

You may be the main player, but you can't possibly do it alone. mentorship could come from the authors we read, our parents, friends, total strangers, colleagues at work, online resources or the people we follow on social media.

More you work towards it more mentors will come your way. Humility is a requirement for mentorship. you have to intentionally decide to learn from people when they show up.

1. Growth mindset  

Avoid the effort excuse, you can exceed your expectations. For many people, there is a fundamental problem with the understanding of their own capabilities. However, with enough encouragement and self-motivation, anyone can achieve whatever they set out to achieve. Hardwired in our brains and bodies is a potential greater than we realize, and all we have to do to unlock it is, believe.

With the fixed mindset, people are born with a certain number of finite abilities and cannot exceed those abilities. With the growth mindset, however, potential is unlimited. You can always get better. For this kind of person, the goal is not so much to be the best in the world but to be better than you were yesterday.

1. Deliberate practice research claims that talent is not the cause of excellence — practice is. 

Sometimes, the only way to know the difference between a hobby and a calling is to put yourself through the crucible of painful practice.

1. Failure

Failure can either last a lifetime or be seasonal. The first one is what you should avoid at all costs, but the second type of failure is normal. Lifetime failures are products of backing up the wrong tree. You can be successful doing the wrong thing and that is very bad. Do this: When you see yourself going in a direction contrary to your dreams and passions, pause — go on a retreat — and really think about what you're doing. Change directions if it doesn't align with your deepest desires.

1. Patience 

Patience is important in all these. You can't force things when it's not yet time. The best you can do is take action and believe that you're getting ahead. The reason you can't just rush into it is that there are skills that you need to acquire along the way, and these take time. You won't even know all the skills needed when you begin. 

1. Legacy 

Your work is supposed to outlive you. The crown of your life's work is when you're able to replicate yourself in others whose paths are similar to yours. Try this - Think about the work you’d like to be remembered for after you die. Start doing it if you haven’t because that’s your purpose right there.

Source - book summary by Headway