Get Clear Career Assessment

Life’s too short to waste in a career that doesn’t light you up. Discover how to find work that truly resonates with who you are.

1. Align with Your Natural Talents

Your talents are like power tools crafted to make work feel seamless. Understanding these innate abilities can transform how you approach your career.

You have specific talents that make certain tasks almost effortless for you, whether it’s clear communication, problem-solving, or organization. Think about those moments when others struggle, but you seem to excel naturally. Recognizing these strengths is the first step to finding a job that matches your abilities.

Talents can fall into eight categories: communication, connection, execution, imagination, inspection, justice, organization, and persuasion. For example, if you excel in persuasion, you may thrive in influencing or motivating others. On the other hand, if execution is your strength, you might be drawn to roles requiring goal-setting and follow-through.

Examples

• A skilled communicator could excel as a public relations professional or content creator.
• Someone with a talent for organization might shine as a project manager or operations specialist.
• An imaginative individual might enjoy roles in product design or marketing strategy.

2. Find Work That Ignites Your Passion

Passion transforms mundane tasks into something you eagerly anticipate. Knowing what you love to do can steer you toward career satisfaction.

When you’re doing what truly excites you, time flies, and the work hardly feels like a chore. Start paying attention to the moments when you feel energized and engaged. These are clues to your true passions, whether it’s solving problems, performing, or teaching.

Categorize your passions into three levels: what you love (75% of your time), what you like (20%), and what you endure (no more than 5%). By minimizing the tasks you dislike and maximizing those you enjoy, work becomes significantly more fulfilling.

Examples

• A performer at heart might thrive in roles like acting, public speaking, or coaching.
• Someone passionate about hands-on creation might find joy in woodworking or craft-based entrepreneurship.
• A solver could enjoy troubleshooting as an IT specialist or quality assurance analyst.

3. Clarify Your Mission

Your mission is the "why" behind your work. It provides purpose and makes every task more meaningful.

Work rooted in your mission gives you motivation beyond just a paycheck. Missions are about the impact you want to create—whether it’s achieving goals, bringing new ideas to life, or contributing solutions. By identifying what drives you, you can focus on roles that align with your values and ambitions.

Missions can be grouped into six types: achievement, creation, efficiency, influence, service, and solution. Reflect on what resonates with you most and let it guide your career decisions.

Examples

• A creator could channel their mission into designing software or crafting art.
• Someone driven by service might thrive in roles like social work or healthcare.
• A person motivated by efficiency could enjoy optimizing systems as a logistics manager.

4. Recognize Where You Shine Most

Different jobs require different strengths. Understanding how your talents and passions align with areas of work can provide clarity.

Work can be grouped into four main areas: People, Ideas, Processes, and Objects. For example, those who love connection may find themselves drawn to People-oriented roles. Meanwhile, someone who enjoys creation might pursue Ideas-focused jobs.

Creating a chart that matches your strengths with these areas can pinpoint your ideal work environment. This reflection helps you match your personality to specific career fields with precision.

Examples

• A problem solver drawn to Processes could succeed in supply chain management.
• Someone passionate about Ideas might excel in creative writing or advertising.
• A People-oriented person might thrive in human resources or counseling.

5. Play to Your Super Strengths

Not all skills are created equal. Focus on what you’re excellent at instead of trying to improve every weakness.

We all have super talents, solid talents, and subpar talents. Super talents are the things you’re naturally gifted in and should use often. Solid talents are reliable but may not be extraordinary. Subpar talents are those tasks that challenge you most. Avoid spreading energy thin by trying to boost weaker areas.

Leaning into your strongest skills enhances your confidence and helps you grow professionally. Focus on becoming exceptional in these areas rather than diverting energy into tasks you’re not truly good at.

Examples

• A fantastic writer should enhance their storytelling skills instead of trying to master mathematical analysis.
• An influential speaker should take on public-facing roles instead of back-end operations.
• Someone skilled at relationship-building could work in sales or client management.

6. Balance Work with Purposeful Results

A meaningful career combines what you love, what you’re good at, and results that matter to you.

When you align your talents and passions with a mission that delivers real impact, work becomes immensely rewarding. Too often, people find themselves doing tasks that aren’t significant to them, leading to frustration. Instead, focus on the outcomes that give you a sense of accomplishment and pride.

Crafting a Purpose Statement can help you visualize what this looks like in action. Think of it as a roadmap for the job that matches your unique blend of skills, passions, and missions.

Examples

• A teacher driven by service may feel fulfilled by fostering growth in students.
• A musician passionate about creation may find joy in touching audiences through their art.
• A project manager motivated by efficiency might feel satisfaction streamlining company workflows.

7. Test Your Current Job Against Your Ideal

Evaluate your daily tasks to see if your current role aligns with your talents, passions, and mission.

Track your activities for a week, noting which ones energize versus deplete you. Compare these to your Purpose Statement. If most tasks fall into the “drain” category, it may be time to recalibrate your role or switch paths. Seeking alignment is the key to long-term career joy.

Communicate your findings with your manager to explore adjustments to your role. If flexibility isn’t an option, it may signal the need for a different job that better complements your authentic self.

Examples

• A data analyst bored by repetitive tasks could transition into strategy-focused roles.
• A customer service agent energized by solving problems might move towards technical support.
• A creative professional drained by tedious admin could advocate for more project time.

8. Enlist a Support Network

Your peers, mentors, and leaders can be valuable allies in aligning your career with your Purpose Statement.

Networking isn’t just for new job searches; it’s also crucial for refining your current role. Share your career vision so that others understand what you’re aiming for. Supportive colleagues may identify opportunities you hadn’t considered, while mentors can guide your path forward.

When your workplace doesn’t support alignment with your talents and passions, don’t hesitate to lean on your external network. Opportunities often arise when you voice your goals.

Examples

• A colleague might recommend an internal role better suited to your skill set.
• Mentors could connect you with professionals in your desired field.
• A friend might refer you to a company that reflects your values.

9. Be Comfortable with Experimentation

Finding your perfect career isn’t always linear. Be willing to try different things and learn from missteps.

It’s okay to adjust your path as your own skills and passions evolve. Experimenting with different roles helps you clarify what works best. Embrace the learning process and view failures as redirection rather than setbacks.

The journey toward career happiness requires patience, reflection, and an open mind. Each step, even if imperfect, brings you closer to a rewarding career.

Examples

• An accountant trying their hand at financial advising may discover a passion for client interaction.
• A software developer experimenting with project management might uncover a knack for leadership.
• A writer transitioning into marketing might find satisfaction in persuasive storytelling.

Takeaways

1. Create a Purpose Statement that lists your top talents, passions, and mission to guide your career path.
2. Use a weekly task analysis to identify areas where your job drains versus boosts you and adjust accordingly.
3. Share your career goals and aspirations with your network to uncover opportunities that reflect your true self.