Over the last several months I have had a graphic that I created posted in my office that is based on an idea that Joe Sweeney shared with me and is in his second book, Moving the Needle. The idea is that Passions + Strengths + Service to others can/should equate (=) to one’s mission or life’s work.

When you drill down far enough to clearly identify what you love to do when time is not limited, the skills you have developed, and how your efforts actively serve other people, you should be able to identify what I call the “Sweeney” spot, or place that we all want to find our careers and lives, for that matter. I added numbers to the equation at Joe’s suggestion to make it more multidimensional. There are several tools available in the world to assess strengths, including Tom Rath’s Strength’s Finder 2.0, so it does not have to be a challenge or time consuming thing to accomplish if you are struggling to identify where your strengths really lie. I also found an online survey that identifies thoughts and behaviors that direct people in ways that satisfy them. I’ve done both and think they are each helpful. Identifying what a person is passionate about doing seems far less daunting. It really comes down to what you love doing when time is your own.

Serving others seems so important and is often overlooked in how we plan our lives. I am happy and have seen first hand, how this simple “Sweeney” formula builds relationships and creates opportunities that would otherwise never existed. Serving others has a way of identifying who you really are, how much you care about people and things that are important to you and the community. Serving others goes miles farther than talking about change or what others can and should do.. What simple things can you do to make lives brighter everyday? Serving others doesn’t have to include huge acts or projects, but meaningful ones that don’t expect anything in return. Opportunities that grow out of the conversations and relationships that are created when people know you don’t expect something in return are endless and would never have occurred if you hadn’t acted.

In thinking about my career, I can’t help but feel really lucky that I am doing what I love. Maybe that’s it though; did I just keep pushing forward to create a life and work that have allowed me to use my strengths and passions in ways that serve others?  When I reviewed my survey results and saw the following, I felt reassured. For you, finding a decision-making role is key. That could mean anything from producing a play to spearheading a global campaign for something you care about. In work, you’re suited for leadership positions in education, government, industry, finance, religious institutions, or politics. But you can find satisfaction anytime you’re given the autonomy to do things your own way.

In moving forward, I hope this formula can help the people I work with, both young, middle aged, and veteran teachers, find greater joy and success in their lives. To really make it effective though, I have to continue serving others in ways that embrace my strengths and passions. I know that in providing the formula as a tool, the Universe will share endless possibilities with all of us.