Comments on: The Best Way to Find Your Vocation

By: jerry

jerry — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 22:08:42 +0000

First find a serious hobby and build around that.

By: Paulo

Paulo — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:19:51 +0000

thank you for the amazing useful content!

By: peter

peter — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 12:35:21 +0000

Thanks AOM, and commentators for some wonderful insights. I’m 26 and have a splitting soulache over this mega-substantive “vocation.” I’m actually on my way to therapy to help me get over this polemic philosophical wall.

Thanks to the many comments I realize how common this problem is. That takes off some of the pressure. I think that the biggest underlying problem which is alluded to but not directly denoted, is the conflict between fulfillment and necessity. Like another person said…food on the table. That’s necessity. What about happiness? My older brother who I look to as an example picked boring degree and profession (software and systems) for stability over happiness. That dream job of his as a scuba diving guide/instructor went somewhere else. Now he makes a living, but will never leave lower middle class. Let’s be realistic people, most professions will leave you in the “lower middle class.” Meaning….less than 100k a year. Happiness? If you like what you do….then like many have said…you can survive on a pittance. BUT, if you hate it AND don’t make good money, you won’t be able to afford the wonderful vacations, massages, and toys needed to happily unload work related stress! I’m going to struggle a little more over what to do with myself…but this page and comments have genuinely helped. You all have highlighted the important questions, and stimulated the right thought patterns. Peace n Love

By: daniel molitor

daniel molitor — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:45:49 +0000

Following your passion is not the same as following a career path. That is what many of those commencement speakers are talking about. Employment is good, and necessary, and should be high on the list of anyone seeking success. Obviously. But employment and passion are not always the same, nor do they have to be. All too often we assume that our work, what puts food on the table (and a table beneath the food), must satisfy both our need for income and our passions. This leads to frustration and regret. While it’s fantastic if some people find a job or a career that satisfies both, most people don’t, and that’s why you shouldn’t confuse the two. College is too often assumed to be nothing more than job training. It can be so much more. Take advantage of it while you can and use it as a starting point for ALL of life’s journeys.

By: Jess

Jess — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 02:41:11 +0000

Your introduction describes exactly how I feel about women’s magazines, and the reason I read your blog. Every women’s magazine seems to be filled with how to do your hair and make-up and various ways to please your man. As a scientist and a women with interests outside of beauty, I think a blog or magazine that cover more interesting topics would be great. Maybe I shoud make that my side hustle for a few years and see what happens.

Thanks.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:31:38 +0000

Finding a problem and then dedicating yourself to it only works if the problem is inherently tied to your passions. I read through David Brooks’ column and disagree with his assessment that the way to find a vocation is to de-emphasize the inner journey and look outward for problems that need solving. I work with college students between the ages of 18-24 every day and their capacity to “discover self” is abundant if pointed in the right direction. Moreover, once they discover their passions and strengths they typically not only solve meaningful problems but they also become leaders in their respective industries as a result of this self-knowledge and commitment to their passions. There is absolutely a necessity to look inward to discover 1) what you care about and 2) what you do well, and then to use that knowledge as a lens through which you can examine problems to which you can contribute positive change.

You may not have started AOM because of an inherent drive to start manly blogs, but it’s success is directly tied to your talents as a writer, organizer, and researcher and your passion about restoring the “classic” man. Thus, I think the formula for finding a vocation looks more like this:

what I value + what I do well + a problem that needs solving = successful vocation

There are obviously a few other ingredients, like grit and resilience, but the foundation starts with self-knowledge.

-Dustin

By: Mister Peepers

Mister Peepers — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 08:19:15 +0000

My girlfriend gave me the best vocation advice I have ever received.

She told me to think of the absolute coolest thing ever that I’d like to do.
Didn’t matter if I thought I could do it or not, just pick it anyway.

Somewhere out there is a person, school, or company that also thinks it’s
the coolest, and they are dying to teach and share with others.

It worked.

By: Bill G.

Bill G. — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 02:26:15 +0000

I have always felt that one of the great short-comings of the education system is it’s lack of life/career planning/guidance. I’m 42,during my grade school years we were told to get good grades so that we would do well in high school. In HS, we were told to get good grades so that we could get into a good college. In college, we were told to get good grades so that we could get a good job. During all that time no one ever really explored WHAT we wanted to become just HOW to get there. In grade school we were given ONE “aptitude test” in 8th grade which gave you a broad idea of careers you might like. In high school, I remember our guidance counselors stepping into class and saying, “Anyone who hasn’t spoken with their guidance counselor yet and plans to go to college should come see us.” – that was in January of my senior year! My father had left when I was 9 – I saw him at graduation. His advice – go into the military or become a plumber. Gee, thanks. I told my counselor that I liked to computers and I liked to fix things and wanted to be trained to repair electronics. He said with my grades he could get me into a good engineering school – I lasted 7 months and dropped out. My mom always took a “don’t pressure people – let them find their own way” approach. So when I said I wanted to go back to school to work with animals she just said, “…as long as you’re happy”. Which is very nice but a degree in biology without plans for further education doesn’t lead to much. So here I am at 42 – going back to school with kids half my age learning a new profession – nursing. I’m looking forward to it but I just wish someone way back when would have sat me down and really helped me do a little “soul-searching” perhaps then I wouldn’t feel like I spent an awfully long time “wandering” through life. I know that ultimately I am responsible for MY life – I’m just saying that guidance is so important and often so overlooked.

By: Matt Franklin

Matt Franklin — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:54:43 +0000

My first post of AOM, after reading for the better part of a year:

I agree with everything you’ve said in this article. I think you have grasped the key, one must be passionate about one’s work in order for it to become more than a paycheck. I just wish I were as passionate about what I do as you are about your vocation.

To me, there’s the hard part: Finding a way to be passionate about whatever it is that you find yourself doing.

By: Ryan M

Ryan M — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:03:29 +0000

Here is a great interview with Fred Rogers from 1999:
http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/fred-rogers

In the first few minutes he describes how he found his vocation. It made me think of this article…so I wanted to share it. The simplicity of his explanation was what left such an impression.

The whole interview is worth watching, though. He comes across as someone who really lived a lot of principles that are discussed and valued at AOM.