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A new concept -

Finding work that not only pays the bills but that we also find meaning and purpose in is a relatively new concept.

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Work before -

For example, work during the Industrial Revolution was a means to an end, a way of making ends meet.

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Choice paralysis -

However different things are today, it is important to keep in mind that being confused about career choice is perfectly normal. There are virtually endless options for some people looking to choose a career path. This is known in psychology as choice paralysis.

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It is achievable, but not common -

Although confusion is natural, and fear also plays a huge factor in finding meaningful work (as it can be a risky business), it doesn’t mean that it cannot be overcome.

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Everyone has strengths -

Everyone has something that they are relatively good at. But our talents may not be as evident as they are for other people. We may be good with dealing with children or at gardening, as opposed to being a wizard with numbers.

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Adopting a pragmatic approach -

For a lot of people, your innate strengths won’t be obvious. The likelihood of us receiving some kind of divine calling regarding what we should do with our lives is unrealistic, so we should adopt a pragmatic approach to discover what may be fulfilling as a job for us.

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Meaning might not be obvious -

Most people find work meaningful when they are helping people, in one form or another. This may not be as obvious as working at a soup kitchen, so it would be wise to keep an open mind. For instance, the mechanic helps people by getting them back on the road and living their lives, and the farmer helps people by bringing fresh produce to market for them to purchase to keep themselves nourished.

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We are unprepared -

We should have empathy for ourselves if we have not yet located work that is entirely fulfilling because it is challenging (and for several reasons).

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We are not shown how -

In general, throughout the world, schooling systems fail to prepare us for finding work that is fulfilling for us.

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Bills and life get in the way -

Many companies in the world are looking to make a quick buck, and it’s very easy to end up working for them, especially if the salary and benefits are attractive.

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We may lose track of the mission -

We also may feel like our job is not fulfilling an organization’s goal. For example, suppose you’re working for a company that resides in 27 different countries and is trying to produce a medicine for asthma patients. In that case, you may not feel like you’re part of that goal if you’re just emailing internal departments all day long.

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It could be a long and arduous process -

In finding fulfilling work, there are accepted processes that can help, although they might take a long time and considerable effort.

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It will take careful consideration -

When people choose a new car, they usually take time to consider and finalize their decision. If that's the case, then no wonder something as serious as finding a job that is the right fit takes time.

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Putting pen to paper -

A good exercise is to park the issue of money and write down the kinds of activities that you have enjoyed in the past or that you may find interesting to try.

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Think expansively at first -

The goal is to come up with a list of jobs that you will find fulfillment in doing.

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The next steps -

When we discover the kinds of jobs that we may find fulfilling, the next step is to try to whittle down the list based on several factors.

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Whittling down the list -

To aid us in cutting down the list to a more considerable number (as opposed to 10 options, for example), another helpful exercise is to take note of our priorities about certain jobs.

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There are legitimate obstacles -

For example, someone may note that financial security is their number one priority, working outside is second, and that the status of their job title isn’t important.

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Values outside of work are relevant -

Your values will play a significant factor in work that you find fulfilling. A job that warrants working very long hours may not be suitable for someone who values their time with their family, for example.

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Gathering data -

Once you have an idea of the kind of job that would be fulfilling for you, it is recommended that you gather as much data as possible about the job and what it implies. There are several ways of doing this.

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Find out what it's really like -

Shadowing people who are doing the job you may find fulfilling is an excellent way of gathering data.

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Some useful tools -

Another tool that can help people find fulfilling work is to do online assessments or see career guidance counselors who can help them generate ideas or confirm that they would be suitable for a specific job. These tools may also shed light on whether what we want to do for work is achievable for us, based on your skill set and intelligence, for example.

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Volunteering -

For some kinds of jobs, it may be possible to volunteer to work in the industry, giving you hands-on experience and knowledge of what the job entails, allowing you to better understand it.

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A select number of options -

Eventually, the goal is that a particular job, or a number of jobs, will emerge as the type of work you will find fulfilling. 

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Setting goals -

Once it becomes apparent what you will find fulfilling as a job, the next step is to set goals in getting into whatever line of work it is.

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Specifically, SMART ones -

The SMART goal system is a handy tool in aiding with the achievement of any long- or short-term aim.

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A long-term strategy -

A long-term plan can span years ahead and may include going back to school, training, or attempting to start a business in your spare time.

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Be confident -

If the job you have discovered you will find fulfilling is achievable, confidence is your most valuable tool. The difference between the people who are in the job they want to be in and those who are not, most of the time, is simply that the person who is in the position puts themselves forward.

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Luck -

Whatever circumstance people find themselves in, luck often has a lot to do with it.

Sources: (The Balance Careers)(Indeed)(Careershifters)

See also: Stress-free jobs with high salaries

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