By Kent Johnson

What are you good at? What do you do best? For many people, the things they’re really good at have little or nothing to do with their present job or career field. For example, you might be really good a building a table, but only mediocre in your job as an accountant. Or you might be great working with children, but just average in your career as a dental assistant. 

Learning to identify where your skills and talents lie is an important step in discovering your ideal career, or the work you were born to do. But also understand that you may have skills in a particular area, but no real passion for that type of work. Some people make the mistake of thinking that if they persue a career in an area that they’re good at, that job fulfillment will automatically follow. This is often not the case.

Understand that skills, knowledge and experience are three entirely separate things. Skills refer to specific abilities that a person aquires over time in their job, hobbies, social activities, and other persuits. Experience--especially in a job setting--refers to job titles and types of work that a person has performed in the past. And knowledge can be aquired from many sources, including formal education, vocational training, home study, on-the-job training, etc.

For most people, the ideal career would be a perfect marriage between something they’re good at, and something that fits their values and they’re passionate about. For example, the accountant mentioned earlier would find a way to turn his talent and love of carpentry into a custom furnature business. Or the dental assistant could spend her time working with children by starting a tutoring service.

So do a little brainstorming and write down on a notepad all of the things you’re good at. Don’t leave anything off the list, even if it’s something that seems trivial like fixing the sink or sewing the hem on a dress. Then underline the things you really love to do, the things you’re passionate about. These could be things like drawing cartoons, or writing in a journal, or flying ultralight airplanes. 

Then see if there isn’t some way that you could turn one of these pursuits into a business or a new career path. Just understand that some things might not be practical – you may love to fly fish, for example, but you could have a tough time making a living at it (although not impossible). If you love to draw cartoons, you might have a future as a graphic artist. If you’re crazy about video games, you could look into a career in the booming video game industry.

Too often as children, we’re told that the things we love to do would make lousy career choices. That’s how so many people end up in jobs and careers that leave them drained and feeling like there’s something missing in their lives. 

So don’t discount anything. After all, it’s your life, and the choice is up to you.

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