By Nancy Anderson, Author of “Work with Passion in Midlife and Beyond”

Your strengths are what you do naturally and well after a lifetime of experience. You don’t even have to think about what you are doing, you just do it. In fact, you may take your strengths for granted, thinking everyone can do what comes easily to you. As a result, you don’t target employers, clients or customers who need your strengths to accomplish their goals.

Examples of strengths are common sense, intuition, eloquence and the ability to get along with people. If you were an employer, client or customer how would these strengths solve your problems? Who besides you would pay for them? How would using these strengths benefit everyone who works with and for you? When you know the answers to these questions you are on the path to passion, the niche in work where you will exceed your expectations.

Start now
Given the likelihood that safety nets like social security, dividends, and savings may not cover expenses when you are older, it is imperative that you start now to find the work that makes the best use of your strengths. It’s not just a matter of if you should follow your passion. You absolutely must find what you love in order to weather the turmoil that will be around for some time to come. The stakes simply could not be higher.

An added bonus is that when you are paid to exercise your strengths you are always looking for ways to improve. As you age you get better and better at your work, increasing your value in the marketplace to the point that you are virtually recession-proof. 

Focus on what you do best
To survive and thrive in a struggling economy focus on what you do best. Don’t allow fear or other distractions to keep you stuck in a career rut. Begin by streamlining your life. Get rid of everything that you no longer need, keeping only what you love and use. Avoid what and who drag you down, including the media’s negative drumbeat. Instead, expose yourself to uplifting influences, art, music, good books, nature and people whose hearts are on their sleeves, not in their bank accounts. Then you can take the small steps that lead to success:

  • Identify your strengths, values, needs and temperament, since as a group they define your perfect niche in work.
  • Ask people you trust what they think you do easily and well, and where you will make the greatest contribution. Be open to constructive criticism, it’s the mark of a professional.
  • Armed with self-knowledge, research people who are doing what interests you. Be thorough, preparation gives you an edge on your competitors.
  • Hold low-key meetings, not job interviews, with prospective employers, clients or customers, some of whom you may already know. Ask questions to determine if your strengths can solve their problems, and if these problems interest you.
  • In your meetings, watch for the passion clues that let you know you are on track, such as you would do the work even if you did not get paid for it, and the work turns you into a better person as you do it.
  • Be alert to the signals that let you know you are off track, as when you focus on outcomes instead of the process of getting there, or you make money the priority.
  • If you need help, hire a professional, or go to career support groups in your community.
  • If owning your own business or solo practice is your passion, work with someone else for at least two years to learn the ups and downs of the business.
  • Take the opportunity that makes you grow personally and professionally, working with people who have the same values.Be assured, if you persevere through the normal self-doubt that accompanies any risk, correcting and learning as you go, you will find the niche that offers fulfillment and financial security. Once you reach your destination, celebrate your achievement. Then pass on what you learned to those who are coming along behind you, but only if they are willing to do the work passion requires.

    Nancy Anderson is a career and life consultant based in the San Francisco Bay Area and the author of the best-selling career guide, “Work with Passion.” Her new book, “Work with Passion in Midlife and Beyond” is available in online and retail bookstores. Her Web site is workwithpassion.com.