“Don’t ask what the world needs.
Ask what makes you come alive and go do it.
Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive.”
~ Howard Thurman
What makes you come alive?
Not sure?
Here’s how to find your passion in about 30 minutes.
Come on now – the world is waiting!
My group responses are as follows:
Find Your Passion.
ENJOY: Music, TV, Surfing the Internet, Add to your wardrobe, Dining Out, Bus riding, Going to group classes, Hot baths or showers, Relaxing, Meditating, Sleeping, Phone conversations, Picnics in good weather, Indoor picnic in bad weather, Socializing, Weekly library visits, Maintaining medical appointments, Attending church.
GOOD AT: Reading, Online Job Apps, 1 hour a day check emails, Cooking, Scripture reading, Crafts, Needlework, Art Work, Wood working, Being compassionate, Level headed.
HAPPINESS: Socializing w/people, Attend group classes: Continued Education & Recovery, Religious belief, Conversation w/trusted pal, Positive people places things, Peace of Mind, Place to live, Eating healthy meals, Understand happiness, Living independently, Complete job apps correctly, Have pride in what you do, No abusive relationship, Addiction recovery, Learning to get along w/people.
ALWAYS INTERESTED IN: Opposite sex, Helping people, Meeting new people, Understand conversations,
Baby sitting, People reactions on bus, Religious matters, Current events.
BUSINESS/CAREER/VOLUNTEER: Online job apps, Weekly Volunteer: Organizational Skills. Continue Recovery: Attend groups at RC/GCB. New opportunities. Not working Volunteer Weekly: Soup kitchen,
Food banks, VA, Local hospitals, Warm Line.
What do you enjoy doing?
YOUR SPARE TIME.
Watch TV i.e.: Full House, Murder She Wrote, Sue Thomas, Matlock, Colombo, Cold Case, Without A Trace, Emergency, Hawaii Five-O/J Lord, NCIS, Law & Order SUV, First 48, Americas Most Wanted, Criminal Minds, Diagnosis Murder, Murder 101, High Chaparral, Law & Order.
HOBBIES/PASTIMES: Computer literacy, Opposite sex, Crafts/Needlework, Wood working, Fishing, Coloring Books, Crossword Puzzles, Springbok jigsaw puzzle, Word Find puzzles, Online games, Playing cards. Game night: Scrabble or solitaire. Learn foreign language.
WORK/VOLUNTEER
Reasons to volunteer: New learning skills, Interaction socially, Head off boredom.
Reasons for working: Money, Benefits, Self-fulfillment, pay for your living expenses.
TASKS/ENJOYMENT
Computers, Art, Camaraderie, Positive conversations, Sharing.
Peers & Staff: Things in common.
What are you good at?
COMPLIMENT: Good manners, Your smile, Your looks, Your shape, Your determination, Your tenacity,
Learning ability, Get along with peers, Job well done, Persistence, Hard worker, Positive Attitude/Life.
Compassionate, Cooperative, Creative, Open minded, Thoughtful to others, Be aware of your surrounding, Reliable/dependable, Courteous, Forgiving and grateful.
AWARDS WON: Degrees/Certificates, Certified food handling, Biography published.
JOBS EXCELLED AT: Automotive service, Sales, Housekeeping, Arts and Crafts, Factory work, Travel Agent, Secretary.
NATURAL SKILLS: Construction, Automotive repair, Computer literacy, Mechanical, Analytical, Receptionist, Good listening skills, Problem solver, Empathy for others, Patient with people, Understanding cultures, Being dependable, Detail oriented, Punctual/On time, Conscientious, Online journaling, Handwritten journals, Scrapbook.
What gives you a sense of meaning?
IDEAS THAT MATTER: Spirituality, Sharing time, goods or services, Caring for other people, Loyalty, Honesty, Integrity and Kindness.
YOUR LIFE FEELS EMPTY: Companionship, Finances, Meaningful Purpose, Meaningful Relationships.
ON A MISSION OR VOLUNTEERING: Seeking full or part time employment, Broadening friendships,
Broadening networks
WHAT DRIVES YOU: Boredom, Maintaining employment or Volunteer Job, Maintain your house, Business.
Relationships w/others, Taking care of extended family members as needed, Choose positive people,
Put up w/family or walk away for peace of mind.
What have you always been interested in?
Books you like to read: Non-fiction, Mystery novels, Comic books, Automotive, People’s Magazine,
Playboy/Playgirl, Travel, National Geographic, JET, Sports, Remodeling, Wood working, Gardening,
Cooking, Scientific, Nutritional.
Movies we like to watch: Drama, Suspense, Comedy, Mysteries, History, Documentaries, Biographies,
Autobiographies
Your childhood interests: Climbing trees, People watching, Cooking, Baby sitting, Newspaper routes,
Collecting coke bottles, Buy candy w/lunch money, Sell candy for extra cash, Newspaper bags for bottles,
Flying kites, Building tree houses, Building models, Swing Sets, Skating, Bowling, Volleyball, Going to the Zoo, Staying out of trouble or don’t get caught, Croquet, Table Tennis, Blackmailing brother for smoking cigarettes, Hop-scotch, French Rope, Hoola Hoops, Soaping Cars, Watching Color TV.
What we love to talk about: Current events/news, Politics, Religion, Sex, Job Searching, Mental Health Recovery, Playboy/Playgirl, Sports, Computers, Microsoft Office, Surfing the internet, Socializing/Relationships, Joke telling, Public transportation, Trivial Pursuit.
What opportunities are you aware of?
People you know: Job Developer, Case Manager, Case Coordinator, BVR, IKRON, CCHB, Talbert House.
Changes in economy/technology: Ozone layer, Taxes, Slow Economy, Speedier computers.
Ideas you’ve wondered about: Sex, Economy, Bus Route changes.
Ideas other people have stimulated.
Slow down on job search: Stress conscious/backslide, Healthy diet/works for you, Find other things to do.
Don’t become focused: On one subject.
Passion Plan Gathering Info:
Facts you need to know before accepting a position:
What does the job entail? What benefits do I receive? What hourly salary will I start at?
Are you on a bus line? Is this job full or part time? Part time do you offer a benefits package?
Will I have to work weekends or Holidays? Do you offer Holiday Pay? What is your dress code?
Do you have dress down on Fridays? i.e. blue jeans and t-shirts.
Do you offer college reimbursement? What is your company policy on felonies?
Do you offer sick days? What is your vacation policy? Gift giving policy? Inclement weather policy?
Dressing for an interview:
Men’s Interview Attire [men keep your pants up].
Suit [solid color: navy, dark grey; khakis, dress slacks with shirt, tie and sweater]. Long sleeve shirt [white or coordinated w/suit], Belt, Tie, Dark socks, conservative leather shoes, Little or no jewelry,
Neat, professional hairstyle, Limit the aftershave [clean shaven], Good dental hygiene, Good grooming.
Not acceptable Attire: Tennis shoes.
Ladies Interview Attire.
Suit [navy, black or dark grey], The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably,
Coordinated blouse, Conservative shoes, Limited jewelry [no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets],
No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry, Professional hairstyle, Neutral pantyhose, Light make-up and perfume, Neatly manicured clean nails.
Do not bring the following to the Interview:
Gum, Cell phone, Ipod, MP3, laptops or tablets, Coffee or soda, If you have lots of piercings, leave some of your rings at home [earrings only is a good rule], Cover tattoos, Leave children at home with babysitter.
Interview Attire Tips.
Before going on an interview, make sure you have appropriate attire and everything fits correctly.
Lay your clothes out the night before, so you don’t have to spend time getting them ready on the day of the interview. If your clothes are dry clean only, take them to the cleaners after an interview, so they are ready for the next time. Polish your shoes. Bring a breath mint and use it before you enter the building.