Vocation

21/11/2024

'Where talents and the needs of the world collide, therein lies your vocation.' (Aristotle)

Think prayerfully.

(See also: A calling beyond ourselves; Sense of destiny; Diving deep in the coaching pool; Listening for a voice; Great)

(Examples: Safe; Legacy; A radical heart; Pivotal points; Chosen; Leap of faith; Bread; Machine gun preacher)

26 Comments

Lilla

21/11/2024 11:15:00 pm

Hi Nick, This is a very clear, easy-to-understand, and practical infographic—especially for young people. I like it!! In today’s information-overloaded world, having such a straightforward set of questions is definitely helpful!!

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 12:02:42 pm

Thanks for the encouraging feedback, Lilla. Yes, sometimes people find sample questions easier to work with than longer explanatory blogs!

Mike E

21/11/2024 11:31:15 pm

Simple but amazing!

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 12:03:46 pm

Thanks Mike. I've used this approach with people who've found it very useful, thinking beyond career questions to deeper questions of calling.

Wendy

21/11/2024 11:32:29 pm

Nice one Nick - you are talented.

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 12:04:18 pm

Thank you, Wendy, for such affirming feedback!

Rica

22/11/2024 09:11:26 am

Interesting! Infographics is not easy to do as a student.

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 12:06:08 pm

Thanks Rica. It's quite new to me too. I've been experimenting with free Infographics templates such as those offered online by Canva. (https://www.canva.com/infographics/templates/)

Sandra

22/11/2024 09:14:02 am

This great work!,any clue how to do this?

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 12:07:38 pm

Thanks Sandra. Do you mean the Infographic, or the process outlined in the Infographic?

Jancy

22/11/2024 09:18:58 am

This is amazing yet as a student it's a hard work without guide.

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 12:10:55 pm

Thanks for your encouraging feedback, Jancy. Do you mean the Infographic or the process outlined in the Infographic?

I use the process in coaching conversations, if people want to step back from immediate job or career questions to consider deeper dimensions and, ultimately, God's calling on their life.

I hope some of the links to other related pieces that I shared under the blog may prove inspiring and useful too.

Sheena Armstrong

22/11/2024 12:19:55 pm

Hi Nick. I love this! The structure of this step-by-step process breaks a huge question, “What’s my calling?”, into manageable parts. That’s brilliant because most people freeze when faced with such a big idea.

The progression feels strategic: start with the external (roles, jobs), move to strengths and achievements, and then dig deeper into values and motivations. I like how it integrates feedback from others; that’s something often missing in personal development.

The final stage is ambitious. Not everyone might approach it from a spiritual angle, but the idea of aligning life with a higher purpose feels universal. Whether framed as God’s mission, societal contribution, or personal legacy, it’s a call to think beyond yourself.

This is more than a blog - it’s a framework for finding direction in a complex world.

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 07:36:41 pm

Hi Sheena. Thank you for such encouraging feedback on this framework and approach. Yes, I too find that if I ask someone, 'What is your calling?', they often look at me blankly. Breaking it down into some core questions can make it easier to grapple with.

When people start by asking me to help them think through what kind of job to look for, I offer them the opportunity to step back and consider some wider and deeper questions first, if they'd find that useful. They often say afterwards that they are glad they did.

I like they way you flex and adapt the final stage to offer different framings for people who have different beliefs and metaphysical outlooks. Thank you.

João Silva

22/11/2024 12:23:05 pm

Hey Nick. this process feels like a roadmap for self-discovery, which is something I’ve been craving. I’ve spent a lot of time wondering if I’m on the right path. The first stage is like grounding yourself, figuring out what kind of work fits your life right now. It’s a relief to start simple and not feel overwhelmed. Then, the deeper stages push you to look inward. I love how the third stage brings in feedback from others. Sometimes, we don’t recognize our strengths until someone points them out. The final stages feel spiritual and profound, and though I don’t have all the answers yet, I think that’s okay. This is a journey worth taking. Thanks for sharing this, Nick!

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 07:39:58 pm

Hi João. I'm pleased you have found the framework and process steps so helpful. I agree that it's useful to draw on others' insights and feedback. In my experience, a person can start at either end of the framework and work it through in either direction - depending on their preferred starting point. The middle stages can be useful for deeper reflection and self-awareness-raising too.

Hannah Gillies

22/11/2024 12:26:06 pm

Hi Nick, I didn't understand the diagram at first but hey, I found the articles under the links below it so inspiring for my own life!

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 07:40:55 pm

Hi Hannah. I'm pleased you found the short pieces under the links so inspiring! I hope they helped bring the conceptual model to life too.

Yuki Nakamura (中村ゆき)

22/11/2024 12:29:04 pm

Thank you Nick. I find this process and these questions deeply thoughtful. It guides one through layers of self-awareness, much like peeling an onion to reveal the essence within. The early stages are practical, asking us to examine our daily lives and skills. These are the tangible things, easy to grasp. But as the process deepens, it requires courage. To ask what others see in us takes humility. To reflect on motivation and values demands honesty. The final stage, addressing life’s purpose and God’s mission, is a universal question. In my culture, we see this as understanding one’s ikigai - the reason for being. This process reminds me that vocation is not just work; it’s a way of living aligned with your spirit.

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 07:44:18 pm

Hi Yuki and thank you for offering such thoughtful reflections. I agree - it takes courage and humility to face these questions honestly (and this is where a coach as a 'thinking partner' or 'critical friend' can be useful). I hadn't heard of ikigai before so thank you for sharing that concept: 'the reason for being'. I really like that, and 'a way of living aligned with your spirit' too.

Rebecca

22/11/2024 01:01:52 pm

This is Amazing nick ❤️😊

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 07:44:50 pm

Thank you for such affirming feedback, Rebecca!

Paul

22/11/2024 02:32:20 pm

Thank you for this infographic Nick. This is very useful for my graduating students. Especially those who are still in a quandary if they are taking the right path. It can be shared during spiritual retreats.

Nick Wright

22/11/2024 07:48:10 pm

Hi Paul - you're welcome. I'm pleased it could be useful to use with graduating students. It may be helpful to work through it in 2s or small groups with a coach, tutor or facilitator to help students get best insight and value from the experience of using it. If you do use it in this way, I'd love to hear your feedback!

I like the idea of using it as a stimulus for thinking, prayer and discernment during spiritual retreats too.

Helena Warwick

24/11/2024 12:57:32 pm

I love this model, Nick. Thanks for sharing. Do you have any additional questions for Stage 4 of the process, to help me unpack it a bit more?

Nick Wright

24/11/2024 12:59:56 pm

Hi Helena and thanks for such encouraging feedback. How about:

Who or what matters most to me in life?
What difference do I want my life to make?
What do I want to be remembered for (and by whom?)

The answers to those questions flow into Stage 5.

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