“Between stimulus and response lies a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose a response. In our response lies our growth and our happiness.”
― Viktor Frankl
Focus on What You Can Control
In 2018, when I returned from traveling. To supplement my income, I decided to return to the workforce and utilize my engineering degree.
Although I interviewed at many companies that didn’t result in job offers, I found them to be valuable experiences for useful feedback to improve my interview skills.
Additionally, interviews are a two-way street – it’s an opportunity for both the potential employer and me to get to know each other.
And having the power to choose, I can decline jobs that aren’t aligned with my values.
To create clarity for my goals and actions, I used the Context, Purpose, and Results (CPR) method shown below as an example for my engineering job search.
Context:
Supporting my current highest purpose of becoming my best and helping others
Purpose:
To find a suitable job in engineering with a sufficient salary and benefits, and with that, I can provide for myself and those I care about, and grow my business and impact more people.
Results:
- I applied for appropriate chemical engineering jobs.
- I prepared for each interview to the best of my abilities (company research, job experience review, studying chemical engineering fundamentals, etc).
- I embodied presence and professionalism in my interviews (phone, virtual, and in-person).
- I answered each question concisely and articulately.
- I asked the interviewers engaging and relevant questions.
- I was given a job offer.
- I accepted the job offer after negotiating with a suitable company that is aligned with my core values.
Remind Yourself of Your “Why”
On the journey to pursue meaningful and impactful results, there will inevitably be times of hardship and struggles. When the road gets tough, you must revisit your “why” for doing it in the first place.
It may be beneficial to take a break and step aside from the busyness, which allows time for self-reflection.
- “How was I feeling about this endeavor?”
- “What did I envision for myself?”
- “Why did I get into this in the first place?”
Rekindle your inner fire so you can move forward.
And in the rare case that your reason for starting isn’t worthwhile to propel you forward despite challenges, then perhaps it’s time to either redefine your purpose for starting in the first place or choose another path that is more aligned with your deepest desires.
Strive for Action and Progress
To help you march forward in times of struggle, you can keep track of your efforts and the progress you’ve made on the journey.
Focus on your wins and store them in a place that you can access at a later time. These are specific truths that demonstrate the value that you bring to the world, and may counter any misbeliefs that you have about yourself.
These are from those who genuinely want to see you reach new heights.
As you implement the necessary changes, your results will appear, which could vary with time and correlate with the adjustments that you make.
Closing Thoughts
Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond to it.
This means controlling what you can, such as your emotions, actions, and thoughts.
Regardless of external circumstances and your current situation, you have the power to choose what your next steps are.
This way, you give yourself the best chance to create your desired results.
I am on a mission to help 1,000,000 people, and I can’t do that without your help. Please share this article with anyone whom you think will find it valuable and helpful. Thank you very much! I greatly appreciate it!
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