I was listening to an interview with the great tennis professional, Andre Agassi, this morning. He says he never really loved tennis. And, yet, he was one of the greatest players of all time. Would you ever guess that someone who is so great at his sport could dislike it so much? I mean, how can that happen? How can that be?

It made me pause to think about the things we do that we’re really good at; maybe even great at – yet we don’t love it or even like it. What percentage of your day is spent on these sorts of things? At work? At home? In sports? Activities? Community programs?

Often as a professional career coach, I explain to my clients that just because they’re great at something doesn’t always mean they love to do it.  I try to help them tease out the differences and similarities between their unique skills/talents and their passions and interests. It’s a bonus when there is overlap between what we’re great at and what brings us joy. Those are the things to really hone in on as you explore your ideal career.

Here are some career coaching tools and tips for doing a gut check of ‘loves’ vs. ‘strengths’:

• Pay attention to the things you spend your time on at work. Then pause for a few minutes to ask yourself how much you enjoy that task.

• If you find you really enjoy something you’re working on (you get a rush or experience some joy, pleasure or excitement), ask yourself whether that thing (task) is a strength or strong skill/talent of yours.

• Ask peers and colleagues you trust what they think you’re really good at AND what they think you enjoy most at work. Sometimes outside perspective is key to learning about yourself.

• Pay attention to what you gripe and complain about. If you’re moaning and groaning most of the day yet you’re getting great performance feedback, you are doing what you’re good at but not necessarily what you love.

• Look at what you love to do in your off-time. If you love to wash dishes, ask yourself why. Then see how that applies to your career. For example, if you love to wash dishes because it gives you a sense of completion, then how much do you get to experience ‘completion’ in your job/career?

In our most ideal career and life, we will spend a large percentage of our time on what we love to do AND what we’re great at. Yes, we all have parts of lives that we have to do that we don’t love. I mean, someone has to clean the bathroom and take the trash out.  But if that feeling of ‘ugh’ hits you a lot, it’s time to explore and reevaluate how you want to spend your days.

I invite you to schedule a personal, one-on-one, no cost session with me to explore what your own career passions and strengths:

=> Create a crystal clear vision for the type of career you want to achieve

=> Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging your personal strength/balance ratio

=> Leave this session renewed, re-energized, and inspired to create your most ideal career.

As always, I welcome your comments and questions.