PART 3 – FINDING YOUR GROOVE
“Tell me, what is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life” – Mary Oliver, The Summer Day
One of the biggest road blocks to starting your career in the wellness industry is working out exactly what it is you might do. As I mentioned in Part 2 of this Wellness Career series, a shrewd place to start is by reading books, talking to people in the industry, and taking short courses and seminars to see what resonates with you. Hopefully this path of discovery will give you a clearer picture.
To get closer to knowing what really lights you up, I recommend a process called The Desire Map by Danielle La Porte. Rather than traditional goal setting, which typically focusses on “things” and achievements, desire mapping (I’m using it as a verb; that’s how much I love it) helps you to really distil how you want to feel (as opposed to what you want to do). This then can help you set goals based on your core desired feelings. For me, these feelings and mental states were things like INSPIRED, PASSIONATE, PEACEFUL, FULFILLED and LOVING.
This also means that you look at your life holistically, encompassing love, family, friends, spirituality, play and home, rather than simply what you want to do and have.
I recommend that everyone interested in a career in wellness do this as it is gives you a much fuller picture as to how you want to live your life. It will also help to inspire you as to what activities ignite you up and how they might relate to your new career. (FYI, I am not an affiliate nor get any kickback, I just like it.)
For more inspiration on this incredible journey of yours, I love some of the concepts from the 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss, and in particular the idea that your dream life might not cost as much as you think. You might discover that you don’t need to earn as much as you think, which can help to guide you in your choice of dream career or give you the confidence to chase it.
For example, say that you uncovered (perhaps through your desire mapping process) that what you really want is to eat organically, locally and sustainably and to practice yoga and meditation every day. Your dream life mightn’t require you to earn a six figure salary. Maybe you go to Bali or Byron Bay (where life can be less expensive) and work remotely or teach yoga or find a product to sell and market.
You have a unique opportunity to design your life and not be constrained by linear and traditional thinking. The wellness industry, by its very nature allows for a LOT of flexibility and creativity.
If you still have no idea what you could do, but know that you would love to be immersed in wellness, I would also encourage you to look at a career that supports the industry; admin, marketing, finance, online, etc. You may get your fill (or perhaps your start in the industry) this way and can then continue to explore your passions along the way.
One thing is for sure – this is part 3 of the Wellness Career Series and you’re still with me, so it’s truly time for you to start working towards this dream life of yours…
Here’s your light-inspiring homework
Ask yourself:
What lights me up?
How do I want to feel in this one magical life of mine?
What could I do?
Can I use what I already know?
How can I get started?
