8: Bryan Dik - Work and Calling

Does your job reflect the big picture purpose you feel called to live out? Each person exists to live out their unique gifts, and a unique calling. There’s a misconception of a calling being one, singular event. In actuality, calling continues as life develops. Some people will experience their calling in combination with professional work. This can cause others to seek a match between job and purpose, but is there always an intersection of professional work and calling?

Today’s guest, Bryan Dik, Ph.D., discusses why calling is an on-going pursuit, identifying calling, and the science behind a Life Calling. Bryan is a Professor of Psychology at Colorado State University, and serves as the co-chair of the department. He is the author of four books, a TED talk speaker, and co-founder and Chief Science Officer at jobZology. He commonly performs research to collect an evidence-based understanding of how people connect to work and calling. Through his work, he turns knowledge into guidance for career development strategies, perceptions of work, faith-based career planning, and career counseling interventions.

The study of Calling takes a look at the perception individuals have towards their own personal calling, along with the correlation to work. Listen to Bryan explain work, calling, bringing both together as he uses professional, personal, and scientific examples. For those with a faith-orientation, Bryan speaks to the balance of doing both action and prayer in moving closer to a calling. He encourages everyone to take informed actions. In terms of using career guidance tools, Bryan emphasizes that people should choose career assessments that are supported by evidence and reliability, like PathwayU.

Generally, a calling is not a singular event. The presence of a calling, at least part of having a calling, means constantly asking questions about how to effectively use unique gifts. From that standpoint, a calling transcends any particular job title or occupation. It’s an ongoing pursuit that can connect to reoccurring positive outcomes.

Time stamps:

• [00:20] - Bryan Dik is bringing his expertise on work, calling, and the intersection of both.
• [02:11] - How did Bryan originally get into his official profession?
• [04:56] - Bryan affirms that prayer is essential, and warns of separating the practice of prayer from passivity.
• [07:15] - There’s a misconception of a calling being one, singular event. Calling continues as life develops.
• [09:27] - Bryan explains why a calling is larger than a job role by recalling an exercise he does in workshops.
• [12:11] - Bryan speaks on the critique that the study of Calling is too soft.
• [14:39] - Bryan speaks on the critique that the study of Calling is too psycho-spiritual.
• [16:13] - Recalling a past study, Bryan explains the correlation people make between work and calling, then explains the positive outcomes of living a calling. 
• [18:43] - What is the connection between calling and paid work? Bryan expands on the definitions of the concepts around work and calling
• [20:37] - Bryan describes his Life Calling. How does PathwayU help others find their calling?
• [23:11] - Bryan emphasizes that people should choose career assessments that are backed by evidence and reliability.
• [25:05] - While thinking back, Bryan chooses this step as a major building block in what got him to his calling.
• [26:58] - How does collaboration impact calling?
• [28:58] - What does Bryan say he was born to do?

Links:

• Chris Heinz
• Chris Heinz Co.
• BryanDik.com
• PathwayU
• Redeeming Work