Ina Teves, Organizational Development Consultant

Ina Teves is an organizational development consultant with a change management firm dedicated to making a difference wherever it goes by journeying with the client through the entire process of organizational transformation. Email your questions to ina.b.teves@gmail.com.

DON’T JUST LOOK FOR A JOB---BUILD YOUR LIFE’S WORK

Take some time to be alone in a quiet place and answer these questions:

• In what situations do I excel? What activities are easy for me to do? In what situations do I seem to just get by or plod on?
• What are my interests? What is it about these interests that make me forget the time?
• What do friends, classmates, teachers, and relatives usually say I’m good at?
• Am I energized when I am in a crowd? Or does having to meet with people make me tired?
• Do I tend to sense situations intuitively? Or am I better at relying on my five senses?
• Is it more important for me to be logical and fair than to be empathic?
• Do you like to work according to schedule or preparing one yourself? Or do you like to keep your options open?
• Am I most energized in the morning or in the evening?
• What am I willing to give and give up for success on the job? What are my non-negotiables?

When you look for a job, do not merely look for work, something to tide you over from payday to payday.

Consider that you are building your life’s work.

You might find it as an employee, as an entrepreneur, or as a craftsman. You might find it in civic organizations or in the world of entertainment or in politics. You might find it in front of a central processing unit or in front of a gas range. When you think of a job in terms of your life’s work, you will give it the respect it deserves in terms of serious thought and preparation.

You will be able to accept setbacks and move on because you would be moving with a sense of mission; you have your eyes on the long-term. You will give yourself the respect you deserve. You will honor the talent, hard work, and relationships that went into the package that is you.


Always,