There is a point in our lives where we must choose between what is an occupation and a vocation.
An occupation is defined by that which occupies our time.
A vocation is defined by that which calls us to spend our time meaningfully.
How do we know if we’re truly ‘called’ to something?
For me, there are two signs.
The first is an incessant knocking on the door. It’s a thought, an idea, a shimmering on the horizon.
It could be a problem that is crying out for solving. It could be a crappy offering that’s desperate for improving. Or it could be a creative endeavour that is ready to unfold.
Often we add these things to a giant list in our heads and then move on.
Most of the items on our ‘life to-do list’ go away.
We should pay attention to the ones that don’t.
The second sign is a feeling of listlessness that gathers weight over a long period of time.
The work that merely occupies our energy - rather than summoning it - is not worth spending our entire lives on.
In my case, I was occupied by digital advertising for 13 years (2003-16).
I ran a company called WWC with my two business partners, Mike and Louis. It was a season that was fruitful and for which I am very grateful.
However, in 2016, it became clear to me that the season had come to an end. I became listless and a drain on the company that I had founded.
I had always felt a calling towards the South African entrepreneur community.
When I considered furthering my career in advertising, I felt increasingly depressed.
When I considered starting Heavy Chef, I felt increasingly excited.
I resigned from my old position as CEO of the digital agency. A month later, I registered Heavy Chef.
I had no business plan or detailed forecast.
I just felt called.
That Heavy Chef journey has sustained me for the past decade and likely for a long time going forward.
Jungian psychologist, James Hollis, calls this moment of reckoning a “summons of the soul.”
Sometimes, the signs are obvious and loud.
Sometimes, they are small and subtle.
Either way, the “calling” will always make itself clear after a while.
My friend Colin Hall, former CEO of Woolworths, used to meet with me every few months at Hout Bay, close to where I live.
In one of those sessions, Colin shared with me a chilling reminder of what happens when we don’t follow our life’s true path.
“You will get one of two letters in the mail,” Colin told me. “Either one from your wife, or one from your doctor.”
When we sense the knocking on the door of the soul, we must recalibrate everything towards that sound.
I asked Colin, how can I be sure? I mean, how do I know if I’m truly doing something worthwhile or if I’m just throwing everything away.
He smiled. “Follow your energy,” he said, somewhat cryptically.
Colin passed away at the ripe old age of 85. In his final years, Colin often used to speak of energy. Not in the spiritual sense, but in the physical “battery” sense.
His words only made proper sense to me recently.
I knew that it was an authentic calling when I noticed how much energy the work gave me.
Looking back at the early days of Heavy Chef, when we were making very little revenue, I recall bounding out of bed each morning, ready for a day of building.
There was a sense of joy, of meaning, to each day - despite how mundane that day’s tasks.
What is taking my energy?
What is giving me energy?
