I've heard it said that the question, "What is the purpose of my life?" is the most common question of all time.

Everyone is yearning to know what purpose they are supposed to play in this world. It is at the heart of every human being to feel important and needed. As pathetic as it sounds, it's true.

The mistake most of us make is to place purpose and occupation into the same mix. They are often related, but should not be directly linked.

Purpose involves you are designed to be. This is the more important issue because it affects every decision you make and every activity you engage in.

Occupation, on the other hand, is not as important because it is merely what you do in order to make a living. There are plenty of occupations you could have while still being the person you were designed to be. But on the flip side, there are plenty of other occupations that you are simply not designed for. Being in the wrong occupation can be devastating to your financial health.

I read a book by Ron Blue - and I'm having trouble remembering the name of the book... I'll try to look it up later when I'm back in my office - but in it he talked about a woman who switched careers for financial reasons. The woman was having a hard time getting by and paying the bills. She hated her job, but the job actually paid very well. Ron was trying to figure out why she was having financial trouble when she had such a great salary.

After studying her situation he determined that she was very unhappy with her career and needed to switch immediately. With Ron's help, she determined what new occupation would best suit her. Eventually, she got a job doing something she loved even though it paid much less than the last job she had. Her financial troubles stopped.

Wait a minute...

By getting paid less, her financial troubles stopped? That seems a little backwards.

Ron knew that when someone enjoys what they do for a living, they spend less money on material things to bring them temporary happiness. Nothing in this world will ever bring total satisfaction (as a Christian, I know that total satisfaction can only come from God alone), but our occupation is such a big part of our lives and plays a crucial role in what we think and how we feel on a daily basis. By finding a place where your gifts and abilities are maximized, you will be blessed with a tiny piece of satisfaction.

This "tiny" piece can go a long way when it comes to your financial well-being. Don't just settle for an occupation that pays the bills. Find one that maximizes YOU.

Have you ever experienced this in your own life? Share your story by submitting a comment below: