Working Toward Fulfillment WorkshopExploring Values and Creating a Plan for a Fulfilling Career

Created by Keith Walkiewicz, 2017

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested” - Seneca

Laying it Out

There are six sections:-Defining Success-Identifying What’s Important-Identifying Strengths and Interests-The Experiments-Finding the Time-Forward Thinking-Reality Check

The questions and ideas shared in each section are meant to make you think. There are no universally correct answers, only the answers that are right for you.

Laying it Out

Goals for this workshop:

-Determine your definition of success.

-Create a list of your top values, strengths, and interests.

-Create projects that you can use to demonstrate the value you can bring to employers.

-Build clarity and awareness about what you can offer and what you want in a career.

Defining Success

How do you define success?

-Success looks different to everyone and it’s up to the individual to decide.

-What does success mean to you?

-Why do you want to be successful?

Identifying What’s Important

Start by making a preliminary list (at least 5) of your values or rules.

Identifying What’s ImportantAdd to and refine your list by answering these questions:-What is most important?*-What matters most?*-What makes your life most full?*-What are the rules and beliefs that guide your life?-When are you at your best? -What are you always working toward?-What do you always find yourself coming back to? (Thoughts, ideas, etc.)-Why did you choose this [major, job, school, etc.] in the first place?-What adds to your life in a meaningful way?-What positive thing do you do that is not regularly required of you?-What is the story you have created for yourself?-What identity have you assumed? Is it what you want?

Ask “Why” 3 times of your answers.

Identifying What’s ImportantThought Experiment: How would you spend $10 million on creating something to benefit other people?

Why would you spend you time that way?

Identifying Strengths and Interests

Make a list of your top strengths and a list of interests.

Identifying Strengths and InterestsAdd and refine your lists by answering these questions:-What captivates your attention?-What field do you see yourself in?-When do you lose track of time?-When are you most engaged?-What do you care enough to say or create?-What organizations do you gravitate towards? What is appealing about them?-In what ways do you connect people? Around what topics? -What do you want to work on?-What do you do that you think you’re in the top 25% of?-What were you obsessed with as a kid?-What idea can’t you get out of your head?-What can you do that not many others can?-What do people ask your advice about?

Ask “Why” 3 times of all your answers.

Bonus Exercise Email 15-20 friends, colleagues, or family members asking them what they believe to be your best strengths. Compare the responses you get back and look for the commonalities. The most common strengths you come across will likely be some of your best attributes.

The ExperimentsWhat are the actions and activities that combine your values, interests, strengths?

In what ways do can they bring value to others?

The ExperimentsValue: Being part of a team

Skill: Writing compelling prose

Interest: Chemistry

What actions can be taken to combine these attributes?

The ExperimentsValue: Being outdoors

Skill: Strategic thinking

Interest: Photography

How do we best combine these?

The ExperimentsValue: Intense competition

Skill: Verbal communication

Interest: Finance

What path will lead to a fulfilling career option for this person?

The ExperimentsValue: Spending time with family

Skill: Programing/Coding expert

Interest: Soccer

How do we combine these in a way that creates value for others?

The Experiments

Take your lists of values, strengths, and interests and combine them. - Always lead with your values. - Create a unique, values-based angle for a career. - Combine the three in unconventional or creative ways.- Begin by creating your minimum viable product.- Always consider how your project will benefit others.

The career path that fits you best may not be what is commonly offered. There is no rule against creating your own unique path.

"Most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you will have more time, and more tranquillity." - Marcus Aurelius

Finding the TimeTake a quick look back on your past few weeks. What did you invest your time doing? How did you spend your days?

How will you work on eliminating or minimizing the activities that don't get you closer to your definition of success? How will you use your time to do the things you actually value?

Finding the TimeAsk yourself:

-Do your actions align with your values or interests? Are they serving a purpose?-What actions have you taken to fulfill your values? How can you double down on these?

-What have you spent time on that doesn’t fulfill your values? Are these actions useful? Can they be eliminated?

-How will you begin to align your actions with your definition of success?-What actions motivate you toward your values? -What is in the way of doing the things you want? Why? Is there another way?-How can you reimagine your responsibilities and work to shift closer to align with values and goals?

-How do you treat your time? Are you using it with a purpose or intention?-Are there actions you cling to for the sake of maintaining an identity? Does this serve you well?

The goal is to start looking at your time as an investment.

Forward thinking…Tools to focus on your values:-Design a daily mental check-in. Stop to think if your actions are bringing you closer to fulfilling your values and goals.

-Partner with a friend that you can bounce ideas off of and talk to about your values and actions.

-Keep a written list of your own rules and values.-Create a schedule that allows time for you to work on projects that fulfill your values.

Forward thinking…

Take action, you don’t need permission:-Where do you want to be in the next 3-5 years? What are the most important actions you can take in the next 3 months to bring you closer to your goal?

-What can you do that is not an obvious or “safe” way of fulfilling your values? Be creative with this one.

-How will you use your unique abilities and experience to create value for others?

-What are the small changes you can make toward your values? What are the bigger changes?

Forward thinking…What is the smallest viable product that combines your values, strengths, and interests while adding value to others?How will you take the first step?

Reality CheckSuccess-Creating a values framework for your actions does not mean automatic success.-Knowing and striving toward your values will guide you toward fulfilling your definition of success.

Control-Focus on what is in your control.-Your situation is not always in your control.-How you respond to the situation is always in your control.

Practice-Knowing your values, interests, and strengths isn’t worth much unless you turn that knowledge into an actionable practice.-The is no shortcut to achieving success. You have to do the work.-Use your actions to explore what brings you the most fulfillment.

Responsibilities-You are responsible to your commitments even when they don’t align with your values.-Use your values, strengths, and interests as a framework to accept new responsibilities.

Reality CheckRisks-Risks should be taken in the interest of your values.-Do things that make you uncomfortable, but with the intent of fulfilling your definition of success.

Expectations and Change-Values, interests, and talents may change over time and so should your expectations for fulfillment.-Build awareness around what you use your time doing.-Ask: “Is this useful?”, “Is this effective?”, “Can I maintain this pattern in the long run?”

Failure-Cap the downside when you can.-Fail in the interest of your values.-Use failure as an opportunity to improve.

OverviewYou should come away from this workshop with:

1. Your definition of success.

2. A list of your values, strengths, and interests.

3. Experiments or project that can lead to fulfilling work and bring value to others

4. An increased awareness of how you spend your time and the unique things you can offer employers

What is the first step you can take?

“Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s all small stuff.” -Richard Carlson