Envisioning Your Future Based on Your Passions  

When working with professionals, they often voice a desire for future opportunities. Instead of jumping into a new role, it can be helpful to identify what this position can entail.   

Start by envisioning your future and what you hope to achieve. Case in point, on my journey, I originally started out to be a nurse and wanted to help others. My life took a dramatic turn when I was hired at GM. Now, I own my own consulting business. How could that happen, and are they aligned? Is there a way to meet your goals without having a particular position in mind? You first must identify what you are trying to accomplish and how you picture the outcome of your work.  

Start by picturing what you want to achieve without focusing on one position. In my case, I started to become a nurse because I enjoyed helping people to heal and feel better. Now, I work with individuals and organizations to help them heal and feel better! Different position but the same goal. So, to envision your future:  

• Start with clear goals you are trying to achieve.  
• What skills do you possess? What are you trying to leverage?  
• What is it you are trying to create? Is it organization, empowerment, alignment?   
• What other skills and experiences do you have, either professionally or through volunteering, that you’ve enjoyed?  
• Find people currently doing work you are inspired by and find out if there are positions that align with your goals.  
   

Start by identifying what you are motivated by and what inspires you. Then, think of alternative positions that will fuel your passion and help you to lead a more fulfilling career. Don’t limit yourself to one position. If you say to yourself, “I want to be a director.” Ask yourself what it is about that position that draws you to it. What do you hope to achieve? What skills do you possess that will help you succeed? Are there other positions that will fulfill a need and drive your passion? Then see if there is a way, much like I did, to combine passion with position.