Is my calling sure? | by Hermann du Plessis

Today’s post is by regular guest columnist Hermann du Plessis, founder of Therapeia, a coaching practice based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Is my calling sure?

What a question to ask! I was reading the opinion of two Harvard Business School Professors who researched career guidance, counselling and coaching. They studied the concept we all have become accustomed to, the concept of: “calling”. The word calling is taken from the Latin word “Vocatio” which translates as “Vocation” into English. It literally means a specific voice calling you to a destination.

What is your calling? Is my calling sure? This question really helps me to focus my energy and actions. Your calling is different from your career. Career is taken from the French word “carere” which literally means: “oval racetrack”. This implies that your career will just get you going around and round in circles, but essentially you will get nowhere.

We should make sure that we do not confuse our calling for our career. Calling is more than career. Calling is eternal. Calling lasts. Calling is personal and compels us to listen to the Voice calling us towards the given destination. That is where it starts, with an acknowledgement that there is a Voice. I have to believe that I am more than a cosmic explosion, which has no purpose and will again end up being nothing! I am alive for a purpose, for my calling.

We have to actively learn more about who we are, so that we move closer to our calling. This is the second part of discovering and living your calling. You have to develop an awareness of your skills, passions, experiences and values.

Are you moving towards your calling? I find that sometimes we need coaching and guidance to discover our calling which will be a big part of our eternal existence.

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Tagged as: Calling, Career, Guest Columnists, Passion, Values