There is an antiquated definition of work that views work as a way to make a living or a name for ourselves. Indeed, it is true that we make a living working and that we build a name and a reputation through it, however, there is so much more to it than this.

As Matthew Fox put it “In our time, we are being called to reexamine our work, how we do it, whom it is helping or hurting, what it is we do and what we might be doing if we were to let go of our present work and follow a deeper call” (Reinvention of Work – A New Vision of Livelihood for Our Time).

What’s happening as we speak is not a revolution but an evolution, a new perspective about work which sees “work” no longer as jobs, unemployment, or retirement, but about an innate purpose instead to fulfill during our lives, in other words, what we are meant to do more than what we have chosen to do.

Imagine what it would be like to wake up in the morning and feel excited about doing what you are passionate about? Confucio said: “Choose a job you love and you won’t work one day in your life”. Now, I know that some other people say: “Love the job you choose”, but, in my opinion, they completely miss the point.

I have seen a lot of people getting into careers because they wanted to follow their parent’s footsteps, because someone told them so, because there was good money, etc., but, at the end of the day, it wasn’t what they were meant to do. Today we see teachers who don’t love teaching or doctors who don’t love being a doctor. It seems to me that people, instead of going for what they are passionate about and do naturally, go for other types of recognition and fulfillment which, at the end of the day, don’t satisfy them or make them happy.

The notion of vocation comes from spiritual and philosophical traditions. It describes a “call” that is given to us or something that we are meant to do. I don’t know about you, but I have felt this “call” at a certain time of my life which I could not resist. My background is from Senior Management in the logistics industry where I worked most of my life, but I really never felt in love with it. I chose this career when I was a young man because, at that time, I thought that it would represent a good opportunity for me. Of course, it went fine for many years, I enjoyed my job and I was able to grow to a Senior Management level but then the “call” to something completely different started to grow within me so much so that I could not ignore it anymore.

Well, to make a long story short, I ended up leaving my established career for a new adventure and become a Life & Executive Coach. This is what I am meant to do for the remainder of my life. I love what I do. When I wake up in the morning I can’t wait to start working and meeting with people to support them in their quest to change or to improve their personal or professional life. There isn’t anything else that I could be doing at this time, this is my “call”.

My project is to help as many people as possible to find their “call” and to evolve into new beings who can love what they do and contribute to make this world a better place. All you have to do is look into yourself and reexamine what you do and figure what it is that you are meant to do and then follow the call whatever it is. I promise that if you do you will be surprised to see your life changing for the better and fulfill your deeper call during your life.

Fabrizio Ricciardi
Fabrizio Ricciardi is a Life and Executive Coach with a background in the logistics industry where he held leadership roles in various companies in different countries. He is based in London but works internationally with individuals and organisation across the globe. After a career as a senior manager, he decided to answer a higher calling and follow his lifetime passion to help people improve their personal and professional life. With an educational background in business psychology and a diploma in transformational coaching he has developed an understanding of organisation’s dynamics and people’s growth and development.
Fabrizio Ricciardi, Life & Executive Coach