A pandemic story

During one of the pandemic years, I used to do random virtual coffee chats.

I moved to another country.

I didn’t know anybody.

But I craved for connection.

And yet, I can’t meet people in person for safety reasons.

Thus, every week, I would virtually connect with a stranger.

People I chat with come from different backgrounds, levels, and experiences.

I loved listening to their stories and perspectives.

One of the people I had a virtual chat with suggested that I read a book.

The book's title? What Color Is Your Parachute?

I searched online, and I thought…

Ugh, another career book written and based on Western cultures and values

But still, I got a copy and read it.

I did the practical exercises, too.

One of the exercises had to do with creating a flower petal of things you’re looking for in your career.

One of the petals has to do with “purpose”.

I'll give you a simplified version.

Below, you can find the nine spheres of purpose.

As you go through each one, try asking yourself with the accompanying question.

Then, pick the top three that resonate most with you.

1) Sphere of the senses – Do you want to have more beauty in the world through art, music, or any creative endeavor?

2) Sphere of the body – Do you want to have more wholeness, fitness, or health in the world? Do you want to feed the hungry and clothe the poor?

3) Sphere of our possessions – Do you want to have better stewardship of what we possess—as individuals, as a community, as a nation?

4) Sphere of the will or conscience – Do you want to have more morality, justice, righteousness, or honesty in this world?

5) Sphere of the heart – Do you want to have more love and compassion?

6) Sphere of entertainment – Do you want to lighten people’s loads, make them forget their cares, make them laugh more?

7) Sphere of the earth – Do you want to protect the planet, explore, and not exploit nature?

8) Sphere of the spirit – Do you want to be more spiritual, to have more faith, compassion, forgiveness, and love of God and humanity in all its diverse forms?

9) Sphere of the mind – Do you want to have more knowledge, truth, or clarity in the world?

After asking yourself these questions, what are the top three spheres you feel most strongly about?

Here’s mine: the sphere of the mind, the sphere of will/conscience, the sphere of the senses.

It's not that I don't want to work on the other ones.

I'd like to believe that my career will be more meaningful if I can use it to seek knowledge and truth, promote justice, righteousness, and honesty, or apply creativity.

And while going through this exercise, I realized…

Perhaps, I was so unhappy in my work before

Because being an accountant/auditor conflicts with some of my purpose

But also, that was my mistake.

I thought that my profession was rigid and fixed.

That it cannot lead to any meaningful endeavor

But in fact, every profession can be purposeful, if only we learn how to be fluid and open to new directions.

For example, even if I perform dry and boring stuff sometimes, I can still find:

• beauty in the outcomes of a well-planned audit,

• justice and honesty in ensuring that the public receives assurance from clean audit reports, and

• knowledge or truth from every situation that makes me critically analyze what’s wrong and what’s right.

Why is this relevant for you?

It’s because the world continues to shift and transform. You should know your place in it. Whether you opt to stay in your small circle or expand your borders, find a meaningful pursuit that will enable you and the people close to you to operate within your sphere of purpose.

If this resonates with you, here are a few action items you may consider (choose one or more):

• Share your top three spheres as a comment or private email.

• Read the book “What Color is Your Parachute” (If you need guidance in completing the exercises and a sounding board to bounce your thoughts with, invite me to act as a coach-guide through the process).

• Share this post with friends/colleagues/connections looking for meaning or purpose from their endeavors.

And finally, here's a bonus. Discover "The Hidden Art of Virtual Coffee Chats and What You Can Learn from Talking to One Stranger Per Month".

May this lead you soon to a purpose-driven journey!

Welcome to Busy Season Journals—stories and experiences to shape accountants of the future. A newsletter made especially for you by a fellow accountant, adventurer, and coach-guide.

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