This is a tool that I keep returning to and as I share it with others, they keep saying it adds a lot of value and is helpful. It’s what I call my Vocational Matrix. You can jump to the end of this post for the quick how to or keep reading to find out some of the back story for the what and why this may be helpful to you.
This last year I’ve been making lots of decisions about work and life and living — how do I want to use my time, energy, resources in this next season? Mixed into the big picture questions are the highly practical things like how will I pay my bills? Where will I live? What commute can I handle? What do I want to have fill my day to day? Who are the people I want do life with? And so on.
I designed this matrix so I could visualize how my vision and values align or don’t align in the practical everyday things.
This tool is meant to help you decide between several options and also to be intentional about how you will live out your vision and values in different scenarios. Lately I’ve been using it to make choices between jobs and opportunities that demand some kind of big commitment.
The Key to Understanding Vocation
vo·ca·tion noun
/vōˈkāSH(ə)n/
Vocation is different than career or job. Vocation gets to the deeper roots of your identity and calling. Living out your vocation is one of the most fulfilling choices you can make and will get to keep making. Vocation transcends time, age, stage, job, and city.
Many people struggle with the question about who they are or what they should do now that _____. (Now that they’ve retired, no longer work at X, no longer live in Y, don’t have the same story, background, or privilege as Z.)
The struggle to find purpose, fulfillment, and joy is real. Job satisfaction is a worthy goal. And being able to pay the bills is real real. What stands out as I listen to stories from those who describe joy and fulfillment at work and in life is that it doesn’t come from finding the perfect job or title or school, it comes from the deeper place of living from your vocation.
I believe if you focus on your vocation and how it practically integrates into your everyday Rhythm of Life & Leadership you can experience joy, fulfillment, a sense of purpose AND pay the bills.
Some of My Vocational Journey:
When I was in seminary, a classmate was frustrated that he wasn’t able to live out his “calling in ministry.” What he meant was be paid. For a long time he refused to get any job and kept telling his church “you should pay me.” He felt the lack of paycheck was what was holding him back from living out his calling. He was bitter and dissatisfied. Eventually he started working at Guitar Center and said, “I’m just doing this until I can live out my calling full-time.”
My question to him was: “why aren’t you living out your calling right now where you are?”
Living your calling doesn’t require a paycheck or a title.
At the time I was also in seminary and working 30+ hours at a restaurant with a few paid hours at a church. I also said, “I am called into ministry.” However, I felt like I was living out my calling everyday. Most of the stories I would share about living out my calling came from the restaurant and the people I saw everyday.
The difference comes down to the choice I keep making to live out my calling and vocation everyday wherever I am no matter what my official title, role, or source of income.
I’ve lived out my vocation working in restaurants, doing roofing and painting, driving for Lyft, being a staff Pastor and a Lead Pastor, working throughout Latin America in a development type role. I’ve watched kids, helped people move into Assisted Living, worked the family furniture business, do coaching and consulting — all kinds of odd jobs beyond these.
The fulfillment I find in any and all of the things I do and the places I have lived comes not from the job itself or the title I hold, but from my commitment to live out of my vocation. It comes from being intentional to live out of my values, my vision, and my calling.
When Things Don’t Align
When something doesn’t align, I make choices and changes for how I will live differently.
If there is a part of my calling that feels absent from my workplace or living situation, I ask myself:
How will I choose to respond instead of react or simply doing nothing?
What is God inviting me to do, explore, bring into this place?
Who is God inviting me to be here and now?
How will I show up no matter where I am in whatever I do as the person God calls me to be?
Using the Vocational Matrix
The Vocational Matrix is a tool I keep returning to. Because I keep putting in the work over the years to know who I am and who God calls me to be, I am able to say “yes” and “no” with clarity and conviction. I’m also able to creatively envision possibilities in many different scenarios. And because it’s real, real — I make wiser choices and keep paying my bills.
You may find this tool helpful to reframe your existing circumstances or it may help you navigate your own life transitions and choices.
How to Create Your Vocational Matrix:
1. Choose your tool to create your matrix
Your goal is to create a table with columns and rows. I chose Evernote because it is simple and more flexible than Word or Excel. You may also choose good old paper and pen.
2. List your values and vision
Down the left column list words and phrases that represent your vision and values. These are words or phrases that are significant for you personally and for how you relate to others and the world around you. For me this includes things like diversity, leadership development (both for myself and how I invest in others), relational, healthy team / network, etc
3. List other considerations
On the left below the list of values add other things you need to consider. I suggest:
Timing – Is there a start date? Deadline? Multiple options?
$ Income – What is your realistic budget? What is your goal budget? What will this job / opportunity pay and provide you?
$ Investment – What does this opportunity cost? Travel? Training / certification? Time? Start up fees?
Impact – How and who will this impact positively or negatively?
4. Add blank space for notes
I found leaving a blank row under everything so I could add any other comments / notes that didn’t fit elsewhere is helpful. For example, if there are any pros / cons you can think of not otherwise covered.
5. Add each job / opportunity you are considering
Across the top for each column, add each thing you are considering. Mine was a mix of specific jobs as well as big scenarios / opportunities. For example, I was considering moving to different cities, or staying in Seattle which meant considering several scenarios. I also had different opportunities for volunteering, training, and joining networks I wanted to consider alongside everything else.
6. Fill in the table
I added a checkbox to each separate space in my matrix so I had a visual way of seeing what checked the boxes and what didn’t – literally. I also decided to add space in each box so I could add comments. For example, one job I considered had a healthy team, but would have a negative impact on some of my networks. I added that to the space rather than a checkmark.
7. Start making decisions
Now that you have done all the work to research, be specific, practice awareness, and have created a visual tool — it is time to make decisions and determine next actions.
- What do you need to say “no” to and take off the list of open options?
- What seems great but is not practical or doable? Why? Does it mean not now but consider again later? Does it mean get creative and try to find the way? Does it mean take it off the list?
- Where something didn’t check a box, is there a way you can be creative and still live that value out in another way? Or is it a deal breaker?
- Is there anything you are considering that is really a distraction from living out your vision? Is there anything that is out of alignment or keeps you from living out God’s calling on your life? Can you live with integrity in all that you keep on your list?
- Are there any voices impacting you? Are they wise voices? Are they people you should be listening to? What is God saying to you? What does your own inner voice tell you?
- Would it help to share your Vocational Matrix with a trusted friend or mentor?
- Determine your next actions and do them. Schedule them.
One of the things I love about this tool is that it combines several exercises I have done over the years to know my vision and values. All of that is part of creating your Rhythm of Life & Leadership and it is something I love walking people through. If you are interested in personal coaching or going through an 8 week plan that includes more exercises like these, contact me through this site or message me in the social medias and let’s talk!
I’d also love to hear from you: What would you add to the Vocational Matrix? What has helped you as you navigate life’s decisions? What helps you live out your calling everyday?
