3 Career Development Exercises to Find Your Strengths and Passions

Summary

The video script discusses the journey of a professional artist and writer who reflects on various jobs held, emphasizing the distinction between job and work. It highlights the importance of taking pride in one's work and the skills gained from diverse experiences. The speaker introduces an exercise for creating a personal resume that focuses on the skills and lessons learned from past jobs, rather than just job titles. The concept of a 'creative identity bullseye' is introduced to help individuals understand their industry, market, and niche, using Beyonce as an example. The video also encourages daily practice of identifying and tracking moments that bring positivity and joy, suggesting color-coding as a tool for reflection and self-assessment.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Embracing a variety of jobs can lead to personal growth and discovering passions, despite not always aligning with societal expectations.
• 💼 The distinction between a job and the work you do is important; take pride in the effort and dedication you bring to each role.
• 📝 When reflecting on past jobs, consider the skills and experiences gained that positively impact your current and future work.
• 📋 Creating a resume that focuses on personal growth and skills, rather than just job titles, can be a meaningful exercise.
• 🔍 Identifying common threads in your job experiences can help you understand what truly resonates with you.
• 🎯 Defining your creative identity involves understanding the hierarchy of industry, market, and niche to communicate your unique value.
• 🎰 Beyonce's success can be analyzed through the lens of industry (music), market (pop), and niche (self-empowerment and iconic status).
• 📅 Tracking daily moments of positivity and satisfaction can help clarify what activities align with your happiness and goals.
• 🎨 Focusing on granular details in your daily activities can reveal what aspects of your work truly bring you joy.
• 📈 Reviewing your tracked moments at the end of each month can provide insights into whether your current path aligns with your desires.
• 🗓 Establishing a daily practice of reflection and tracking can make it easier to recognize and pursue what truly matters to you.

Q & A

What is the main message the speaker is trying to convey about finding passion in one's work?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the job one does and the work that brings fulfillment. They suggest that even if a job doesn't fully reflect one's passions, interests, and values, one can still take pride in the work they bring to it and use those experiences to shape their future career.

How does the speaker suggest we reflect on our past jobs to identify our passions?

The speaker recommends creating a resume that lists past jobs, the skills gained from them, and what was liked about each role. This exercise helps in identifying common threads and passions that can be applied to future work.

What is the purpose of the creative identity bullseye exercise mentioned in the script?

The creative identity bullseye exercise is designed to help individuals understand and communicate their unique place in their industry, market, and niche. It aids in identifying the aspects that make them different and suited for specific types of work.

How does the speaker define the terms 'industry', 'market', and 'niche' in the context of creative identity?

The speaker defines 'industry' as the broad field one works in, 'market' as the specific corner of the industry where one's skills are applied, and 'niche' as the unique part of the market that is distinctly one's own, based on personal attributes and talents.

What is an example given in the script to illustrate the concept of 'niche'?

The script uses Beyonce as an example. Her industry is the music industry, her market is pop music, and her niche is defined by her status as an icon and her focus on self-empowerment, which sets her apart within her market.

What is the significance of tracking positive and negative experiences at work?

Tracking positive and negative experiences helps individuals understand what aspects of their work they enjoy and which they do not. This self-awareness can guide career decisions and lead to greater job satisfaction.

How does the speaker suggest we track our daily work experiences?

The speaker recommends writing down moments that make us feel positive and good, as well as those that do not. This practice helps in recognizing patterns and making informed decisions about our work life.

What is the benefit of using color coding in the tracking exercise?

Using color coding helps in quickly identifying the overall trend of experiences over a period. Green for positive, yellow for neutral, and red for negative experiences can provide a visual summary of job satisfaction.

Why is it important to focus on the mundane details of our work?

Focusing on mundane details can reveal small joys and satisfactions in our work that contribute to overall happiness and job satisfaction. These small details can lead to significant changes in our career direction.

What is the narrator's final advice for viewers?

The narrator encourages viewers to engage in the exercises presented in the video as a daily practice. This consistency helps in establishing a routine that can lead to better understanding of one's work preferences and career aspirations.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Embracing Diverse Work Experiences

The speaker discusses transitioning to a professional artist and writer, reflecting on past jobs that didn't align with their passions and interests. They emphasize the distinction between a job and the work one does, taking pride in the effort and skills developed in various roles. The focus is on identifying the skills and experiences gained from past jobs that continue to be valuable in one's life and future career. The exercise involves creating a personal resume that lists jobs, the lessons learned, and the unique skills acquired, which may not typically be included in a formal resume.

05:01

🎯 Defining Your Creative Identity

The speaker explores the concepts of industry, market, and niche, explaining their importance in understanding one's creative identity. They guide the audience through creating a 'creative identity bullseye' to communicate their unique place in their field. Using Beyonce as an example, they illustrate how to identify one's market and niche. The speaker also introduces an exercise for self-reflection, encouraging the audience to track moments of positivity and happiness in their daily lives, using color coding to analyze their overall satisfaction and guide future career decisions.

Keywords

💡Professional Artist

A professional artist is someone who earns a living primarily through the creation and sale of art. In the context of the video, the speaker became a professional artist and writer, indicating a shift towards a career that aligns with their passions and interests. This is a central theme of the video, which encourages individuals to find and pursue work that reflects their true selves.

💡Passions and Interests

Passions and interests refer to the activities or subjects that an individual feels a strong enthusiasm for. The video emphasizes the importance of aligning one's work with their passions and interests, suggesting that this alignment leads to greater personal fulfillment and potentially more impactful work. The speaker reflects on past jobs that did not reflect their passions, highlighting the contrast with their current profession.

💡Job vs. Work

The distinction between a job and work is a key concept in the video. A job is often seen as a means to an end, such as earning a living, while work is more about the broader impact and satisfaction one derives from their professional activities. The speaker suggests that while not all jobs may be ideal, the work one does within them can still be meaningful and contribute to personal growth.

💡Resume

A resume is a document that summarizes an individual's education, skills, and work experience. In the video, the speaker encourages creating a personal resume that lists not only past jobs but also the skills and lessons learned from them. This exercise is meant to help individuals reflect on their experiences and identify the elements that bring them joy and fulfillment, which can inform their future career choices.

💡Creative Identity

Creative identity refers to the unique set of characteristics, skills, and values that define a creative individual. The video introduces the concept of a 'creative identity bullseye,' which breaks down identity into three concentric circles: industry, market, and niche. Understanding one's creative identity helps in communicating who they are, what they do, and why they are different, which is crucial for finding work that suits them best.

💡Industry

In the context of the video, industry refers to the broader field or sector in which one works. It is the outermost layer of the 'creative identity bullseye.' For example, for a musician, the industry would be the music industry. Understanding one's industry helps in identifying the larger context in which their work fits and where opportunities for growth and collaboration may exist.

💡Market

Market, as described in the video, is the specific segment within an industry where an individual's skills and talents are most applicable. It is the second inner ring of the 'creative identity bullseye.' For instance, a designer might find their market in logo design or a musician in pop music. Identifying one's market helps in focusing efforts on the areas where they can have the most impact.

💡Niche

Niche refers to the unique position or specialized area within a market that an individual occupies. It is the innermost ring of the 'creative identity bullseye.' In the video, Beyonce's niche is described as being an icon of self-empowerment within the pop music market. Finding one's niche involves identifying the specific elements that set them apart from others in their market.

💡Time-Tracking

Time-tracking is the practice of recording how much time is spent on various activities. In the video, it is suggested as a method to identify moments that bring positivity and joy. By tracking these moments, individuals can gain insights into what aspects of their work they truly enjoy, which can guide them in making career decisions that lead to greater satisfaction.

💡Signal and Feedback

Signals and feedback refer to the cues and responses that individuals receive from their environment and experiences. The video suggests that amidst the constant noise of daily life, it's important to tune into these signals, especially those that indicate enjoyment and happiness. This self-awareness can help in aligning one's work with their true desires and strengths.

💡Daily Practice

A daily practice is an activity or routine that is performed regularly each day with the intention of developing a skill, habit, or mindset. The video encourages making time-tracking and reflection a daily practice to better understand one's preferences and to make informed career choices. This regular self-assessment can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful professional life.

Highlights

The speaker became a professional artist and writer after having various jobs that didn't fully reflect their passions, interests, and values.

The speaker discusses the societal pressure on creatives to only do work they love for money, emphasizing the distinction between a job and the work one does.

The exercise involves writing a resume that focuses on the skills and experiences gained from past jobs, not just the job titles.

The speaker shares personal examples of jobs they've had, such as being an ESL teacher and a men's stylist, and what they learned from them.

The importance of identifying common threads in past jobs to understand what one truly enjoys and can apply to future work is emphasized.

The speaker introduces the concept of a 'creative identity bullseye' to help understand one's place in the industry, market, and niche.

The industry is defined as the broad field one works in, the market is the specific area within the industry, and the niche is the unique aspect that sets one apart.

Using Beyonce as an example, the speaker explains how to identify one's market and niche within the music industry.

The exercise of tracking daily moments that make one feel positive is suggested as a way to understand what truly brings happiness and fulfillment.

The speaker advises focusing on granular details in daily activities to identify what aspects of work are truly enjoyable.

Color coding notes at the end of each month is recommended to quickly identify patterns of positive and negative experiences.

The importance of making this exercise a daily practice is stressed for better understanding and routine formation.

The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to like and subscribe for more content.

Transcripts

- So I became a professional artist

and writer a couple years ago.

Before that, I had so many different types of jobs,

and I wouldn't say that any of them

particularly reflected all of my passions

and interests

and values.

In fact, none of them did.

And I sometimes felt some shame about that

because I feel like there's this message in society,

especially for creative people,

that if you're not doing what you love

to make money, that something's off,

and I feel like there is a really big difference

between the job you're doing

and the work you're doing, big picture.

I'm not proud of every single job I've ever had,

but, I'm proud of the work that I brought to it,

and, that's what I really want to tap into today.

It's about your work, that you take pride in,

that lights you up

and hopefully helps others.

And that's something that you can bring to any job

you have in the future.

For this exercise, we are writing a resume

where you don't have to impress anyone.

So, you're listing the jobs you've had

and what you learned from them,

the kinds of skills that maybe

you wouldn't put on an actual resume,

but the ones that you've actually gotten something from,

that actually help you in your real life,

'cause, that's kind of the point

of all this experience anyway.

So I'm just going to start by, just thinking about some jobs

that I've had, I've had so many.

I was an ESL teacher.

I was a men's stylist.

So when you're journaling about this,

think about the things that you really got from those jobs

that still help you today.

So for example, I think a lot about my food service jobs.

I not only developed empathy for people

who were also waitresses,

but I developed empathy for customers

and dealing with a lot of people at once.

So I've been working on this one,

which has a couple examples

from different jobs that I've had.

So you can do this as pure journaling,

or you can make a chart like I did.

I put title, role description, skills gained,

and what I liked about it.

The What I Liked is my favorite part,

'cause it kind of ties them all together,

like, what do I really like about the jobs that I've had?

And that gives you a lot of information moving forward.

So, when you look at this category of What I Liked,

and you can journal about this as well,

what were really the common threads

between all these jobs you had?

If there's one thing you liked about it, what was that?

And maybe that's something that you can use in your work

right now, or your work going forward.

So, the things that I liked, according to this chart,

are getting to know people, using creativity to find fun,

and sharing something I love to do.

(upbeat rock music) I use the things

that I liked about all of my jobs

to kind of fuel my dreams for the future.

What do I want my future career to look like?

I hope it would use all of these elements.

- We talk a lot about who we are as creative people

in lots of vague ways.

We say things like industry, market,

and niche, interchangeably.

We use them to mean vaguely the same thing,

but it's been really, really helpful to me

to find what each of those terms actually means

and understand how our identity breaks down

into those categories

and get them all sorted in a very particular hierarchy.

So, we're going to make our creative identity bullseye.

It's important because, you need to communicate

who you are, what you do

and why you're different, if you want to get the jobs

that are perfectly suited to you.

Now, you're probably already familiar

with the big outer ring.

We can think about these as like, the different layers

of the castle you're trying to break into.

The outer ring is what's known as your industry.

The second inner ring of this castle is your market.

It's the place within the industry that you fit.

It's where people with the flavor of gifting that you have

congregate in a very particular corner of your industry

and make their living.

So the idea is, if you are an illustrator,

your market might be the corner of the industry

of magazine illustration.

If you are a designer, your market might be logo design.

And this is where you fit in.

The last

and final inner ring of this castle

and of this bullseye is what we call your niche.

So yes, the market is where you find your people,

but the niche is the part of the industry that is just you,

it's only you in there.

Now, you might get bogged down in this idea of like,

I'm not really that original, but yeah,

everything about you, you might have in common

with someone else in your market.

And what I would do is,

list your industry, list your market,

and then list a handful of things that define your niche,

and it's the sum of those things

that will help you find your own particular place.

Why don't we just, I don't know,

talk about someone you might've heard of, Beyonce?

Beyonce's industry? Music industry, obvious.

The market?

Now this was kind of a toss up for me

and you're probably going to have a similar thing

where you're thinking is this my market,

or is that part of my niche?

But you got to think about it in terms of hierarchy.

So like, if we're talking about,

we could say R&B, or there's some hip hop roots,

but ultimately, the music station

that she's appearing on most is the pop station,

and so that's a bigger circle where she fits in,

those or who her peers are.

So we're going to say pop for her market,

but then her niche, it's made up of being an icon.

(indie rock music) It's about a self-empowerment.

Every little particular thing

that makes Beyonce who Beyonce is,

that is her niche within that market.

- Every single day, we are literally bombarded

with signals

and feedback

and images

and just constant noise, so this exercise is really

about trying to tune all of that out

or at least working with that

and writing down,

and time-tracking the moments

that make you feel positive

and the things that make you feel good.

Our brain

and our body are giving us signals

all the time on what we are enjoying

and what makes us happy,

so it's important to write them down,

otherwise we'll just forget.

So, for this exercise, it's really important

to actually focus on the kind of mundane stuff

that you probably don't think is anything big to focus on,

but it's actually the more granular details, the better.

So, is it that you got to present in a meeting

and you actually really enjoyed

that feeling of public speaking?

Was it that actually one Friday,

you got to go home a bit earlier

and you loved the idea of having an hour to yourself

every Friday afternoon?

And how can you make that work?

Or, is it that you've got to work on a weekend

in a bookshop on a Sunday night

and actually you loved being in that environment,

meeting new people?

It's very important to kind of focus on smaller things

because at the end of the day,

it's the smaller things that ladder up to the big changes.

Another useful thing to do in this exercise,

because I know we're all really busy,

but at the end of each month,

you're going to want to look through your notes

and just see what jumps out at you,

and instead of just reading through all of it

and all of your kind of small print,

color coding is really useful.

So, you can use red for something negative.

You can use yellow for something kind of in the middle

and you can use green for something that was just amazing,

and you really loved.

And if you look through the month

and you've got all red,

kind of looks like you need to change something,

but if you look through the month

and it's kind of greens

and yellows, then actually maybe you're onto something

and maybe you are doing the things

that you want to be doing.

(upbeat indie pop music) What's important is

for this to be a daily practice,

because it's actually easier if it's daily.

If you're doing it kind of every other day

and you kind of forget,

then you don't really get into the routine,

but actually, if you start doing it every day,

you just get into that rhythm

and it will soon be really easy to do.

- [Narrator] Thanks for watching.

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