Nonprofit Vocation or Occupation?

According to Wikipedia: “A vocation, from the Latin vocare (verb, to call), is a term for an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Though now often used in secular contexts, the meanings of the term originated in Christianity.”

My question to you is how do you view your job? Is it “just a job” or a “calling?”

In America we seem to be stuck on giving ourselves titles. Your are Mr., Mrs., Miss or even Ms. but let’s also not forget Dr.

Then for others you have Jr., II, III as well as toss in PhD or even Esq. in addition President, CEO, COO, Vice President, Director of etc.

Isn’t it a shame we don’t use Barron, Duke or Duchess because those sound so impressive don’t they?

I also find it interesting that so many people work at a job to make a pay check but for a moment if you asked them to imagine that they somehow won the lottery or didn’t have to worry about finances anymore, would they still continue to work at their current job? Almost everyone says no, are you kidding?

Why is it that so many people work their entire life in a career that they would toss away so easily? Have we all lost our minds and think so little of our life we are willing to waste it away doing something we really don’t want to do?

I am struck as a consultant the number of conversations I have had with individuals who call me and tell me that they are at a point in their career that they want to re-focus and do something different, something to help people.

Wow, well honestly you don’t have to wait any longer. I am not advocating you to sell all your worldly possessions, so relax, I am suggesting that helping others is not as gigantic as it appears.

Start small… and do something nice and totally unexpected for a stranger within the next 24 hours. After you complete this, write a short note to yourself about how that made you feel. Read it out loud to yourself….Then think about what life would be like if you did this everyday and ask yourself are you willing to allow the gift you have inside of you out and share it with others. What are you waiting for?