I’ve always been able to learn things quickly and pick up new activities fast and with little effort be it school or activities. I have no idea what to focus on because like Scott, Mike and Arbor33 stated I am good at a lot of things and I have as many or more interests. The real trick becomes what is actually worth pursuing, what are the sacrifices involved and what is truly important in life. I left a high paying career that worked me 80 hours/week because the sacrifice to family and personal time wasn’t worth it in my opinion. I’ve since decided to pursue a “job” that I can’t say is my life passion, but I don’t dislike it either and derive some satisfaction from it. I don’t have a life passion that’s work centered. A lot of my work and school interests are fleeting and temporary before I become very bored and want a change.

So I chose a “job” that gives me time and flexibility. The time allows me to chase my many varied interests on my time table without relying on those interests for income. The “job” also allows me to move all over the globe to travel in a way that lets me get immersed instead of one week glances here and there. Instead of making my unfulfilling career equal to my whole life and spending all my time doing what I don’t like for income, prestige and impressing others I’ve made my new job a means to fulfilling other passions in life. It certainly can’t be considered my maximum potential because my previous career was so much more difficult and prestigious. However I know many succesful doctors who are failure husbands and failure fathers. Lawyers and CEOs too for that matter. I guess it depends on how success is perceived and what a person is willing to sacrifice for television’s version of success.

Perhaps through this job and exploring many interests I’ll discover something I want to do for passion and income and I’ll be able to call a vocation. This “job” that is so liberating and freeing compared to what I was doing perhaps can be called my vocation, especially as I delve into it I may find I become more invested and passionate about it. Maybe fulfilling other passions outside of work is more satisfying than a vocation that wouldn’t allow fulfilling the other passions. Or maybe I’ll make a vocation out of sharing my travels, experiences and life lessons learned with others somehow. For now I’m going to stop trying so damn hard to hammer the square peg into the round hole and enjoy life, interests, family and travel for a while.

Curious indeed. I certainly want to quiet my mind more often, take more time to just reflect on myself.

However, Here’s a hiccup in your equation.

Your True Vocation=Your Gifts+Your Passion

I feel I have many gifts where I’m above average. I also like many things. I can get lost in time on many different subjects doing many different things.

Yet, finding my true vocation has been challenging. Also it changes over time, I found it for a while, but then after a few years, I out grew that vocation.

So, I’m still looking. I experiment with different ideas, and just keep chugging along in jobs/projects that spike interest, pay bills, but the level of passion is not near the top of the mountain for me. Granted, its not near the valley either. For others, it may be a vocation in their view, but in my view, I’ve seen better. I’ve been more passionate.

I also definitely don’t think that for most men they already know what their vocation is. I could be an outcast though.

Thanks again for the series. I’ve love to read more about finding passions/gifts.

After I read the first three parts of this series, I decided it was time to persue my vocation. I listed my first item on Ebay last Friday and I sold it for a $55 profit on Monday! The fire has been lit and these articles have helped me discover what I truly feel is my calling. To all of those on the sidelines, I suggest you jump in feet first. Once you realize just how easy it is to get started, you will never look back.