Written by Thokozile Eunice Mahlaola, Purpose Coach
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise
In uncertain times like the ones we are facing as a world right now, many jobs are at stake just as many companies are threatening to close. We might not know what the future holds for us all. However, the fact remains that we will always need each other to survive as human beings.
Here are five questions that can help you understand the importance of clearly defining your unique service, so you can no longer seek to have a job but to dedicate yourself to valuable work that fulfills both you and your client.
1. Why should you serve?
The first thing to recognize is that all human beings are created to serve. We are brought to planet earth to serve and help one another, and that is how we have survived to this day. Yet we somehow lost this formula. Hence there are currently more consumers than producers. Now, this imbalance is what we all need to rectify in this new era we are in, because if we do not do our part to serve, we are doing a great injustice to all of humanity.
The act of serving is the one thing that no matter what economy the world finds itself in, it will never get old. Whether we were bartering centuries ago, trading last season or serving right now, it is still the same concept because it is a two-way transaction where you serve someone with what you have that they need and they serve you with what they have that you need.
To add to your why understand the aim of your service. Be clear as to whether you are serving to educate and develop; to help and improve; to release and entertain; to heal and support or to create and build. Being clear with this enables you to position yourself perfectly in the right industry.
2. What should you serve?
Lately, companies do not have the luxury of creating employment like they did years before. They are looking for skilled and knowledgeable people who can help them keep their companies relevant and active. That cuts back on those who work to earn a salary and accentuates those who work to add value to the company and to their own careers.
To be marketable, you need to find your authentic flair that comes from being fulfilled as a person. This quality shines through when you do what aligns with your truest values, and when you do what you are genuinely great at. To realize what fulfills you pay attention to what you spend your time and energy on and still end your day feeling satisfied. If you go after that, your work will attract opportunities towards you, but if you run after money your drive to keep at it will surely diminish.
There is always a possibility that you can do what others cannot do and know what others want to learn. Look at what are the top three skills you possess and what are the top three topics you know thoroughly. Taking the time to know a topic well and to horn your skills allows you to become an expert in that area, which is favorable because there is definitely a need for what only you can give when you have a specialty that is clearly defined and well packaged.
3. How should you serve?
How you are to serve depends on the innate and acquired abilities you have. Honestly identify your talents, passions, interests, experiences, gifts, and fields and combine them to deliver your unique service.
Focus on those that are above average by identifying what you can do effortlessly; what you are willing to do even if it comes with a sacrifice; what you spend most of your time, money, and energy on; the failures and triumphs that make up your testimony; the special quality that sets you apart from everyone else; and the reoccurring impact you have in the lives of others.
Inject your personality as you serve, never suppress it because it makes you relatable to those you serve. Couple that with your positive feminine or masculine qualities, and you will have a winning formula. We need to remember that we are in the age of the internet of things where everything is becoming more technological and robotic, so the human factor is a necessary contributor to your unique service.
4. Who should you serve?
The world is filled with seven billion eight million people, therefore the answer to who is particularly important because no person can reach all those people in their lifetime. Hence, it is imperative that you understand who you are created to serve because not every industry or company or person is a good fit for you.
We each have our own tribes, which consist of those who need what we have. These are people you can be yourself with, and you can give your best to. When you have identified those people, nurture them so they can keep coming back for your service. Do not just think of them as clients or a job that brings you money but also as individuals with whom you can build relationships and an environment that can be a thriving community.
To simplify the process of identifying which people will possibly soak up what you serve as well as which environment will nurture your career growth, you need to have a vision for your life and work and recognize which mission you are committed to. This will lead you to those who are on the same path as you; those who want to be on the same path; and those who have been on the same path, making it easy for you and them to create connections.
5. When should you serve?
The world teaches us first to learn then serve, but the best way is to start serving now and learn along the way. The greatest thing about serving from where you are right now is that you get to grow as you serve. You are helping others, but you are growing your skills, knowledge, and income in the process.
Many people wait and keep waiting due to fear. The truth is fear gives an illusion of comfort only to keep you from evolving as a person. If you allow it to stop you from taking calculated risks, you might never land your ideal career or start your ground-breaking business. Dreams become a reality when you push past your own boundaries because that is when you learn just how capable you are.
Make it your responsibility to find something to do with your life and time instead of waiting for someone else to do that for you. If no one is hiring right now, volunteer your services and start building testimonials. If companies are closing down, identify a critical gap in the market and draft your own innovative business idea. Opportunities follow those who are dedicated to refining their crafts and those who keep moving towards their greater vision one day at a time.
It is a fact that we need an income to survive, especially in this economic crash, though a job may help to ease off some stress, it is not particularly necessary for your serving journey. What is essential is to position yourself according to your distinctive why, what, how, who and when and get moving, and your life and career will timeously fall into place.
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Thokozile Eunice Mahlaola, Purpose Coach
Thokozile Eunice Mahlaola is the founder of The CherryBlue House, a consortium where they deal with career development, personal development, content writing and music entertainment. Since 2015 she has self-published three books and has two books as well as a music album coming out in 2020. Her online courses have changed the lives of people from different parts of the world. She has studied Creative Writing and Editing through the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism as well as Language and Literature and Public Relations Management both through the University of South Africa. The eighteen years of combined corporate and entrepreneurial experience she has gathered has prepared her to work with individuals, employees and new entrepreneurs who want to know their life’s purpose; align their priorities with their values and be more productive in their lives, work, and businesses.
