Many professionals look for meaning and purpose in their work—their “true calling.” Passion is a great motivator for business owners, and being intentional with your work will help generate great outcomes.
If you have a specific mission and vision in place, you have something to return to any time you feel stuck in your business. However, your purpose doesn’t have to be extravagant and grand; it can be as simple as you’d like it to be.
Below, eight members of Young Entrepreneur Council shared their own personal career callings and how following those paths has impacted their business journeys.
Young Entrepreneur Council members share their “true callings” in their careers.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.
1. Storytelling
I have loved storytelling since I was a little kid. I’d play my parents against one another, claiming one didn’t tell me a story at bedtime, or I’d ask for a story I’ve heard 19 times to be retold once again. I encourage people to think back to what brought them wonder and joy as a child. There’s often a major clue into what you’re naturally guided to do from your earliest years. – Beck Bamberger, BAM Communications
2. Helping Others Find Success
I am an accountant, and I believe I have found my calling. Is accounting my calling? No. The opportunity to help others be successful while providing them with an essential business service is what I find fulfilling. Helping others is what I find motivation in. Bonus—As a business owner, I am not just helping clients, but I am also helping team members be the best versions of themselves! – Zane Stevens, Protea Financial
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3. Giving Back To Underserved Communities
I think we are all multidimensional enough as a species to have more than one calling or underlying purpose in our life. However, work should fulfill some aspect of your overall self-realization. Work allows me to meet a part of my personal calling by allowing me to give back to underserved immigrant communities to which I feel a personal and spiritual connection to. – Salvador Ordorica, The Spanish Group LLC
4. Writing
I have always worked in what I feel is my true calling, but have learned that the calling can change. Although your skills may remain the same, they can transfer to another career. My calling started as a child because I focused on my one true talent: writing. This has morphed into different areas over the years. – Baruch Labunski, Rank Secure
5. Providing Equal Access To Opportunities
My dream to connect every CEO with equal access to opportunities has shaped my career from the start. Not everyone has a broad international network, and this limits their opportunities. During my study, I made it my goal to change this. Having a purpose in my work urges my brain to accelerate my plans while staying true to my authentic self—a necessity for success. – Brian Pallas, Opportunity Network
6. Being The Voice For Others
I know that I went through what I did so that I could help those who are going through the same issues and problems. Once you know that you are called to be the instrument for others’ voices, to help them be heard and to encourage others who need your authenticity and vulnerability, you won’t grow weary of doing good and doing your best in everything. – Daisy Jing, Banish
7. Creating Jobs And Community
I love helping people and creating jobs for them. I’m an entrepreneur and have started several successful businesses with great teams of employees. Knowing that I have a knack for finding talent, bringing people together and creating jobs has encouraged me to keep focusing on team-building strategies and building bridges within my community in general. – Shu Saito, Godai Soaps
8. Helping Others Achieve Their Goals
I’m fortunate that my work and my calling are the same. While I run a blog and a number of products, what I really do is help other people achieve their own overarching goals, whether it’s to grow their business or make more money. One of the best things about this is that I connected with a larger community and I get to meet great people along the way, which is motivating. – Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner
