The continuation of my public introspection as I read “48 Days to the Work You Love” by Dan Miller (my answers to the questions at the end of each chapter):  

1. In today’s rapidly changing work environment, is it realistic to expect a job to provide more than just a paycheck?
We have so many options today that our parents’ parents didn’t have. While it may not be reasonable to “expect” more than just a paycheck, there must be jobs out there that do offer more than that. Intangible benefits such as telecommuting and flexible hours are becoming just as important as benefits like health insurance and 401(k).

2. Have you ever had a sense of calling in your life? How did you hear that calling?
I definitely feel called to help people with personal finances. I know this because anytime I see an opportunity to do that, I get a jolt of excitement and my spirit lifts.

3. Does God call only a few people?
I imagine God calls many but most of the time we’re not listening. 

4. Is it reasonable to expect our work to be part of the fulfillment of our calling?
I hope so. For all the hours we spend working we should be able to fulfill a calling at the same time.

5. Do you currently have a job, a career, or a vocation?
A job. Sort of a career, only because I’m in working in a field I enjoy. Not a vocation, because I don’t feel called to the job I’m currently in.

6. What does success mean for you this year?
Success this year would mean finding a clear focus, setting a long-term goal for my life, and begin working toward it. That’s a broad answer. There is one thing in particular I want to accomplish this year; I would like to find a way that Mike and I could have more time with Luke. With our current situation he is with a sitter five days a week and we miss him terribly.

7. Are you where you thought you’d be at this stage in life?
I never had a clear vision of where I was going. I know I didn’t expect to be a mother. We struggled with fertility for so long that I was beginning to lose hope. Professionally I had hoped to be a controller, an office manager, or perhaps a self-employed bookkeeper. But because I lacked clear vision I never settled on any one thing. 

8. Do you go home at night with a sense of meaning, purpose, and accomplishment?
Not from my job, but when I’m running an FPU class I ride home every week on Cloud Nine.

9. If you want different results next year, what will you change in what you are doing now?
For starters, decide where I want to be in three or five years. Until I make that decision I won’t know what changes to make.

Previous Chapters:
My “48 Days” Journey – Chapter 1
My “48 Days” Journey – Chapter 2