Recognising the path to inner fulfilment
In today's working life, the concepts of profession and vocation play a central role in the question of how decision-makers can find their true fulfilment. Profession and vocation mean more than just an occupation or a source of income. Rather, it is about discovering meaning in everyday working life and pursuing activities that reflect personal values and talents.
The profession is usually characterised by pragmatism, it secures the income and defines the tasks that need to be carried out regularly. A vocation, on the other hand, speaks to a deeper level: It is an inner drive that brings joy, motivation and passion to everyday life. Decision-makers who recognise their vocation often experience how this difference fundamentally changes their working environment.
Many managers report that they originally felt rather trapped in their job, whereas they found a new sense of purpose in their work by pursuing their vocation. This interplay between profession and vocation creates space for fulfilling and motivated work.
Balancing career and vocation
Combining career and vocation is not always an immediate or easy task. Decision-makers are often faced with the challenge of harmonising their professional duties with their inner calling. However, career and vocation can complement each other. For example, the profession can provide a firm foundation for carefully discovering or developing one's own vocation.
Many successful decision-makers choose a pragmatic career that offers financial stability and at the same time dedicate themselves to projects or activities that they feel are their calling. This creates a balance in which career and vocation influence each other positively.
BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) One manager used targeted coaching impulses to gradually initiate projects that corresponded to her personal values. As a result, the feeling of meaningfulness grew in the current environment and motivation increased. Professional security was maintained, while vocation was integrated in small stages.
Impulses and strategies for discovering your vocation
Reflective questions and practical methods help to bring career and vocation together. For example, decision-makers can ask themselves: What activities energise me? Where do I feel really committed? Which skills and talents do I want to strengthen? Consciously paying attention to such impulses helps you to recognise your own vocation more clearly.
One common strategy is career coaching, which helps you to realign your inner compass. Network meetings with like-minded people or subject-specific further training can also provide valuable guidance. These approaches promote clarity, goals and the courage to increasingly combine career and vocation.
BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) A project manager set clear priorities in an accompanying process by reflecting on personal values and gradually taking on new areas of responsibility that gave him more meaning. The balance between professional responsibility and inner fulfilment developed organically and sustainably.
Examples from the practical application of profession and vocation
In different industries, it is equally evident how profession and vocation can be combined in order to experience fulfilment. In the creative environment of a media company, for example, decision-makers succeed in combining their profession and vocation by developing their own innovative formats.
Teachers in the education sector also report that they see their vocation as facilitating individual support and inspiration, while their profession involves the structured implementation of the curriculum. This creates a link between pragmatic work and passionate commitment.
Managers in the IT industry also experience satisfaction by creating space for the realisation of personal innovation ideas that are in line with their values, in addition to their regular tasks.
BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) An IT manager took the initiative to set up an internal innovation lab where employees can pursue their own projects with passion and personal commitment. This model led to increased job satisfaction and at the same time promoted economic success.
How decision-makers keep their vocation alive
Profession and vocation are not static states, but must be actively cultivated. Decision-makers who want to live their vocation regularly cultivate time for self-reflection, consciously tackle new challenges and seek dialogue with inspiring people.
Especially during periods of high stress, it is important to remember why certain activities are fulfilling. This helps to maintain focus even in changing circumstances and to promote long-term enjoyment and purpose at work.
BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) One decision-maker established regular feedback sessions in her team in which personal sources of motivation were discussed alongside professional progress. This practice strengthened awareness of individual vocations and promoted a culture of growing attachment to work.
My analysis
Profession and vocation are closely linked and can strengthen each other if decision-makers keep both pragmatic aspects and personal fulfilment in mind. The path to true fulfilment is revealed in the conscious interplay of these two dimensions. Introspective questions, targeted support and the willingness to explore new paths are the keys to combining career and vocation into a powerful whole.
Further links from the text above:
Profession vs vocation: these are the differences
From profession to vocation - three letters that make the difference
Vocation - explained simply and clearly
Legal notice: Coaching does not replace therapy. It serves personal development. I do not diagnose or promise a cure. My offer is for personal development and is not a substitute for medical, psychotherapeutic or curative treatment. Please consult a medically qualified specialist if you have any health complaints. The experiences described here are based on individual feedback from my clients. They are not a guarantee of success and do not replace medical or therapeutic counselling. For more information and if you have any questions, please contact Contact us on the topic or read further blog posts on the Topic here.
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