I found my life purpose. Have you? Some people are born knowing what they are supposed to do, like my sister, Carol, who always wanted to be a nurse. I always knew I did not want to be a nurse! Our life lines look very different, hers a straight line and mine an upside down pyramid. How did I eventually reach the top where I now purposefully perch?
For a Toastmasters Icebreaker speech this morning (in which you introduce yourself to the members), I chose to follow my jobs over a lifetime, giving the year and place, a very short job description, and ‘what I learned’ with each one. It was a little like following cookie crumbs through the forest to get home. I’d never looked at my life this way and found it enlightening. It’s a process I can recommend to you, both simple and revealing. Let me share a couple examples:
1954 – 1957: Babysitting; 25 cents and hour, 50 cents after midnight. What I learned? Earning money gave me choices and independence.
1968 – 1970: Computer specialist as Ensign for US Navy; sent to computer school to learn coding, then worked directly with computers. What I learned? I like working with people better than computers.
1983 – 1984: Counselor for Navy Family Advocacy, which deals with spouse and child abuse, neglect, rape, etc. What I learned? That I loved group counseling, but not one-on-one.
1990 – 1996: Coordinator of Baptist Hospital’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP); contracts with 80 companies in the area, developed and held training workshops as requested. What did I learn? A lot! All the various skills I had developed over the years were put to use in this job.
2008 – present: Author of published articles and two books. What I learned? The power of the written words spreads far wider than speeches to small groups.
Paying attention to what I did and didn’t like about what I was doing (whether paid or volunteer) led me to my life purpose statement: “To motivate and guide people to recognize, value, and maximize their talents, strengths, and skills.” I found my purpose; you can, too.
by Kathleen Vestal Logan, MS, MA September 8, 2017