Discover The Work You Love

You are probably telling yourself that you are too old to change your life and find the work you love. Let me tell you this, you are never too old to learn or do something you truly desire to do. There is no time like the present to start thinking about pursuing your interests, ideals and dreams.

Did you know that many famous and successful people found their true calling after 30 years of age?

1. Paul Gauguin, leading post-impressionist artist, initially worked as a stockbroker and he started painting full time in 1883 at age 35.

2. John Grisham, one of the biggest selling authors of all time, graduated from University of Mississippi School of Law and practiced criminal law for about a decade. He left his law practice at the age of 35 in order to pursue a full-time writing career.

3. Martha Stewart, television host, author, and magazine publisher, worked as a stockbroker until she was 32 years old. At age 35 she started a catering business which changed her life and made her one of the most prominent women in America.

4. Harrison Ford, film actor and producer, was a carpenter before becoming a movie star.

5. Nineteenth century French writer Stendhal wrote his first novel at the age of 44.

6. Csontváry, Hungary's greatest painter, started his art studies at age 41 and painted his major pictures after the age of 50.

I can give you many examples of famous people who changed their lives after 30 (or 40) years of age and became successful, happy and fulfilled with the work they do. If that still does not convince you, read the following real-life stories of three women who prove it really is never too late.

Liz Davies was 37 years old when she founded Welsh Coast and Country Cottages. She is now 57 and her company makes a multi-million pound turnover.

Eve Davies worked as a nurse for nearly three decades before launching her own business offering personalised tours of Britain. She was 62 years old when she and her husband started to run Cambrian Routes, an award-winning specialist holiday service.

Elsie Richardson went to university at 70 years old. She was awarded an MA in counselling when she was 75 years old and set herself up as a counsellor after her graduation. She is now 82 years old and studying for her PhD at the School of Health, Community and Education Studies in Northumbria University. As well as studying for her doctorate, Elsie sits on the board of nine committees and is the vice chairman of Newcastle's Years Ahead project. She says "It's never too late to learn. I want to encourage people to go out and meet people, it's better than sitting inside the house just looking out of the window and watching rubbish on the TV."

The first step to discover the work you love involves identifying your unique strengths, gifts and talents, what you are passionate about and where you can make a difference.

Start by answering the following "self-analysis" questions to provoke thinking and to begin your journey towards purpose, fulfillment and meaning.

Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Relax your body and mind. Take as much time as you need to write down your answers. REMOVE ALL LIMITS and allow yourself to dream about the work you were born to do.

1. What work would you love to do if money was not a concern to you?
2. What inspires you ? What do you most enjoy about life?
3. What are your values ? Which values do you want to express through your work?
4. What comes natural and easy to you? What do you do without struggle?
5. What are your strengths, talents and gifts? What are your natural abilities? Write them down and spend some time reflecting on your answer. Then ask your friends and family members to answer this question for you. What is their perception of your skills and abilities? What do they think you are good at? Ask them what they see is a gift that you bring to the world. Sometimes others can help us see what we may not see.
6. What is missing from your job now? What was missing from your previous jobs? Is there anything you wanted to do, but have held back for some reason?

Take as much time as you need to evaluate yourself using these questions until you are satisfied with your answers which will give you some valuable information about your direction.

Alternatively, download my free report 10 Powerful Questions To Help You Discover The Work You Love.

During the journey from a job that you hate to finding the work that you love, you will need lots of guidance, support, motivation and encouragement.

Most of us fail to create our dream life because of trying to do it alone. Interruptions, setbacks, and fears are part of every journey and they are inevitable. Without getting help, most of us lack focus, commitment, and accountability. Even if you were very disciplined and motivated, it would take much longer to reach your goal without someone who believes in you, who will praise your achievements, take you out of your comfort zone and keep you on track.

Best way to move forward is to enlist the services of a Career Coach who will help to remove barriers that you have placed in your path, inspire you to take action and provide you with the necessary resources and tools. If you are unable to afford the fees of a professional coach, try Free Coaching.

Like Liz, Eve and Elsie, you too can pursue your passions and transform your life. So, stop making excuses and start making changes NOW.