I am grateful to everyone (approximately 400 people at this point) who took the time to answer this survey.  Life is a series of decisions.  Throughout every day we encounter forks in the road.  Should I do this or that?  Some decisions are small and some are significant.  However, one of the biggest decisions we make is our choice of occupation.  The idea of this survey was to see how we ended up doing that one thing that captures the majority of our time each day. 

Time is our greatest asset.  We can always make more money but we have a fixed 168 hours each week.  Once we use it, it’s gone forever.  Most people spend anywhere from 40 - 100 of those hours working.  Further, many of the non-working hours are often spent thinking about work!  So, if you were to add the total time that work captures the mind of an individual, it would be significant.  Of course, there are some that spend the majority of their work time thinking about anything but what they are doing there...so you may need to do the math personally.  Regardless, generally our occupation captures more of our time than any other activity in life with sleeping coming in second.

Since our occupation generally consumes most of our time, doesn’t it make sense that we would choose to invest our time (our greatest asset) into an occupation that will yield the best results? Of course.  Then, what results are the best?  Is it the most money?  Is it the most flexible time schedule?  Is it what seems to be the most secure?  I would submit to you that the very best results we could aim for is to fulfill God’s specific will for our life? 

Everyone ever born was born for a reason.  There were no accidents.  Your parents may not have planned you but God did.  He specifically designed you with certain gifts and a will for your life.  The question is, are you specifically searching to discover your gifts and your passion in order to pursue that which God has designed you to do?  When you discover your gifts you are on top of your purpose.  That is, those things that you are gifted to do, you are gifted for a reason.  Many people discount the very things they love and are good at because they do come so naturally.  Yet, your purpose in life is specifically connected to your gifts.  In addition, when you apply your purpose to that which you are most passionate about, you have discovered your calling or assignment in life.

What if what you did for an occupation could be in alignment with your purpose and assignment in life?  How fulfilling would that be?  Then, … why not do it?  If you believe finances are stopping you, I’d encourage you to think that through.  Are you trying to live a lifestyle that is stretching your dollar to achieve a feeling of comfort?  Is that really more comfortable than the feeling that comes when you are living on-purpose; that is, doing what you love, what you are designed to do, and what you are passionate about?  Who’s to say that if you made a decision to do what you are passionate about that you wouldn’t find a way to make it profitable?  Imagine if you did that!  Then, the more you did what you were passionate about, the more income you’d make.  Perhaps, by pursuing what you are passionate about you may profit through some other means that allows you to do it.  Regardless, I believe if you start the process of focusing on doing what you are passionate about, doors will open and the details will be covered. 

I want to encourage you to make a decision to revolve your life around your purpose and the one who gave it to you.  Make that commitment and let the details fall into place.  Let go of centering your life around things and doing what you think you ‘have to do.’ 

Out of the 400 people who have currently taken this survey, there is a tie for first.  The number one way people ended up in the occupation they are in is a tie between, “Most lucrative option available,” and “Only available option at the time.”  It shows that most people are either taking work as it is available or, if they do have a choice, are deciding based upon the best return financially.  This is life.  This is what is normal.  Unfortunately, time passes and as we come closer to the end of our life we ask, “Is this really what it is all about?”  Only 15% of the poll responded, “Knew it was what I am designed to do.”

I hope you will take a deep look at what it is that you are designed to do and then I hope you will pursue it with everything that you have.  Let no excuse, doubt, or fear stop you from fulfilling your purpose and assignment in life.