Are you a Jackhammer or a Hummingbird?
Being British I had to look up the former as I had no idea. Basically it’s rather like a woodpecker! I’ll come back to this later on. As a Career Coach of some years, I often get clients who are frustrated as they don’t know what they’re going to do workwise. They feel they haven’t got a ‘passion’. They often sense that something is ‘wrong’ as they ought to know what they want to do career-wise. This is even more obvious with those starting out on their careers. They are often asked by well-meaning family or friends ’so what are you going to do now?’ There’s often a huge expectation that they SHOULD know exactly what they want to do. Some people do.
Posted in Career development
A friend of mine Martin knew from early childhood that he was going to be a doctor when he grew up. He’s been a doctor for over 30 years and never doubted that was his passion. Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love, amongst other wonderful books, knew from early on – she wanted to be a writer. Whilst there have been struggles, she knew that was her passion. Knowing that enabled her to follow that path, despite obstacles, and she has gone on to great success now.
Until recently Elizabeth offered great advice - follow your passion. She’s noted that it’s great advice, if you already have a clear and obvious passion to follow. Harder if you just don’t have a clue!
What happens to those who have not yet managed to identify their passions? For some listening to this advice, they end up feeling more frustrated than they were at the start. The frustration stems from the fact that an individual would happily follow their passion if they had an idea what it entailed. So if your passion isn’t obvious, forget about finding it rather - go with your curiosity.
I’ve worked with clients who when they allowed themselves to be curious, discovered what they loved. That curiosity opened up some amazing hobbies, opportunities, connections that they never expected. Sometimes it was a role they never expected to find. A client Jo went from her editorial magazine job to freelancing, gardening and also ceramics. All because she was curious about gardening and went on a gardening course.
What does ‘go with your curiosity’ mean? What are you interested in? Go find out more. Be open to where that path may lead you. As Elizabeth advises, following your curiosity may, in the long run, lead you to find your passion. It may not. You may get a fabulous experience and a beautiful memory. But you could also end up leading an exciting, beautiful, and fulfilling life, all because you chose to follow curiosity.
So back to the jackhammer and the hummingbird. As Elizabeth Gilbert so eloquently expressed it, the jackhammers drills away at their passion, they won’t give up, they’re focused, and they keep going. Rather like Elizabeth and my friend Martin. In contrast, the hummingbirds have a flight that takes them from place to place. A curiosity driven life. Often the hummingbirds add huge value to the places they land along their way. Rather like Jo who’s now much more open to where she might go next.
Would you like to be more curious? Enjoy your work more? Love to have you join my new facebook discussion and virtual career coaching group here or contact me to express interest.
For Elizabeth Gilbert on jackhammers & hummingbirds click here.
For the full session from Elizabeth Gilbert on Oprah’s super Soul Series click here.
About Claire
Claire is a highly experienced and accredited Coach & Coach Supervisor. Passionate about helping people with their purpose, career, work, life. Being fulfilled in this every changing world.
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