Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the Unites States, said: "Never fear the want of business. A man who qualifies himself well for his calling, never fails of employment."

 

The apostle Paul put it this way in Ephesians 4:1,7: "Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. … He has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ" (NLT).

 

Having a Strategic Life Plan can help you walk worthy of the calling God has for you. When helping men develop a personal strategy to fulfill their callings, I look closely at the following three key components:

 

1. Skills and Abilities (What) The most common mistake men make in choosing a career is to do something simply because they have the ability to do it. The accountant who was good at math or the computer programmer who was a childhood whiz might be frustrated, having discovered that their careers are not fulfilling or meaningful.

 

Think about the happiest times in your life and the periods when you felt most fulfilled. They are better indicators of your calling than just knowing what you have the ability to do.

 

And certainly, circumstances alone are not good predictors of God's calling. Many people have responded to circumstances and at about age 45, they have realized that their God-given passions are not being utilized in their work.

 

2. Personality Traits (How) How do you relate to other people, projects and ideas? Are you analytical and logical or expressive and outgoing? Are you nurturing, supportive and encouraging, or do you thrive when you are working on a project in isolation?

 

There is no right or wrong answer here; understanding your uniqueness will help identify your best work environment. Your unique, God-given personality characteristics must be embraced in satisfying work. For a sample of a personality report, log on to 48days.com/work personality.php.

 

3. Values, Dreams, Passions (Why) Are you motivated by position, status, titles and money or by the constant search for new knowledge? Are you moved by beauty in nature and your surroundings? What are you drawn to, even when money is not an issue? What is it that when you are doing it, time just flies by?

 

What God calls you to do does not stamp out who you are. As Olympic contender Eric Liddle said in the movie Chariots of Fire: "God made me fast—and when I run, I feel His pleasure."

 

By Dan Miller, who specializes in creative thinking for personal and business development, helping individuals redirect careers, evaluate new income sources and achieve balanced living. Miller’s principles have been clarified in his book, 48 Days to the Work You Love, as well as in his popular workbook and audio sets. For free newsletters, reports and other tools visit 48Days.com.