Get ready for !!!!!!!: January 2010

The conventional formula for success is to do what you love, get someone to pay you for it, and then stick with it. That's what Aamir Khan's character Rancho does in the latest Bollywood film, 3 Idiots.

But what if you find yourself in a situation similar to Farhan Qureshi's (played by Madhavan) from the same film: stuck in an industry or a job that you might be good at, but you know is not your life's calling? What if Farhan had decided against following his heart and not made the switch from engineering to wildlife photography?

What if you don't yet know what your life's calling is and so drift from one job to another in search of the "perfect" job? On the bright side, you could be a maverick: someone who refuses to follow conventional ways of thinking.

So, the idea of "sticking" with one job till you get "good" at it, might seem unappealing. On the downside, you could be a Jack of all trades, but master of none. But what if finding career stability is your life lesson? Here are some tips to help you stay on course.

TIPS to stick with your job :

Deal with issues: Just as a new love can't help you get over your last heart-break, a new job might not always come minus the issues you had in your previous one. It's important to deal with challenges head-on.Resist temptation: Money, adventure, glamour, fame... there could be several reasons for why a friend's profession might seem more attractive. However, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the right fit for you.

Wait it out: you can't become the "Man of the Year" in one day. The sooner you realise that persistance pays, the easier it be for you to cope with delays and setbacks, and the less "trapped" you feel.

Embrace Change: As in life, change is inevitable,there will be sudden changes in hierarchy and job profile, Organisational structures and pay cuts. Dont run at the first sign of change. stay focussed on the aspects of your job that you enjoy.