How to Find Work You Love: The 10-P Framework
I decided that I wanted to become a doctor when I was a teenager. And I'll admit that I didn't think through my decision as thoroughly as I should have. And this was partly due to the fact that I had no idea how. It's crazy that we have to decide what we want to do for the rest of our lives at such a young age. Committing to a profession as demanding as medicine can feel like being locked into a high-stakes game with no easy way out.
To simplify this process, I propose a framework that incorporates the 10 P's—seven positive factors to optimize, and three pitfalls to avoid. It's a method that This method helps evaluate potential career paths with a more individualized approach.
- Personality: First, ask yourself if the career aligns with your personality traits. Are you a social butterfly or a solitary thinker? Does the profession require quick decisions or slow, meticulous planning?
- Passion: "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life." Ideally, you would find a career that you enjoy, which makes it easier to show up to work even on the bad days.
- Proficiency: Skill and competence are critical. Do you have the necessary abilities or the potential to develop them?
- Profit: While money isn't everything, it is an important aspect to consider. Does the career offer financial stability and security? Can you sustain a comfortable lifestyle, save for the future, and have room for leisure and luxuries?
- Progression: Consider if the career provides room for growth and advancement. Are there opportunities for promotions, skill enhancement, and achieving new milestones?
- Purpose: Does your chosen career align with your broader life goals and values? A career with purpose gives a sense of fulfillment and meaning beyond the day-to-day tasks.
- Prodigy: Evaluate whether you have a natural edge in this field. This includes physical traits, like height and appearance.
The first seven are criteria to optimize. These last 3 are factors that should not weigh heavily into your decision:
- Parents: Our parents will have their opinions, but remember that this is your career. Respect their insights and wisdom, but ultimately you're the one who needs to love what you do.
- Popularity: Don't chase a career because it can make you famous. Prestige and fame can be enticing, but they are fleeting and often don't reflect job satisfaction or a good career fit.
- Peer Pressure: Avoid getting swayed by trends or your peers. Just because you see all your friends making a lot of money going into real estate doesn't mean that it will be a good fit for you.
Try out this 10 P framework and let me know how it goes. Is the career you're considering compatible with you?
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