What 5 things would you be doing in your ideal role?

Whether you’re actively looking for a new job or not, most of us have a running dialog in our heads around what’s working at work, what’s not, and what we’d rather be doing instead.

These thoughts take us around and around in circles. Frustrating, energizing, confusing, exciting, tiring, disheartening, hopeful circles.

We assume other people have it figured out.

We think we’re missing something that should be obvious.

We believe if we had the answer, we’d be at peace and able to focus.

At the heart of it, we believe there IS a “right” answer. When it hits us, we’ll know. And then we’ll be happy.

So this week’s journal prompt is about getting clear on what you want—not necessarily forever, but next.

What 5 things would you be doing in your ideal role?

We often skip the step of writing down what we enjoy, what we think we’re good at, and what’s most satisfying. We try to muscle through with thinking, mentally trying on one role after another.

We skip this step for two related reasons, I think. First, we know there is no such job out there. And two, we don’t feel entitled to ask for it or go about creating that thing for ourselves. (You might even think something like, “who am I to ask for all this stuff? Maybe I should just sit down and be thankful for what I have.”)

As you write, consider things beyond tasks such as the level of connection with coworkers, how much you’d boldly lead or be inspired to follow, amount of flexibility, influence, creativity, visibility, legacy desired, etc.

This question in particular lends itself to journaling. It’s nearly impossible to think our way out of the thought swirl. In fact, it seems to just spin faster the harder we try.

“FOCUS ON WHERE YOU WANT TO GO, NOT ON WHAT YOU FEAR.” - TONY ROBBINS