The Profession and Vocation Paradigms

• In a profession – mind, body and spirit are directed towards earning a living
• In a vocation – mind, body and spirit are directed towards leaving a legacy

• In a profession, personal responsibility is assumed for securing material interests of self and near and dear ones.
• In a vocation, personal responsibility is assumed for securing non-material and material interests of affected persons – unrelated to self.

• Professional contributions facilitate material benefits
• Vocational contributions facilitate non-material benefits

• A profession is mind-based
• A vocation is spirit-based

• A profession is reasonable
• A vocation is unreasonable

• A profession is driven by aspirations
• A vocation is driven by vision

• A profession begins and ends with the professional
• A vocation begins and ends with God

• A profession is an answer to one’s own calling
• A vocation is an answer to God’s calling

• A profession is for solving problems
• A vocation is for inspiring problem-solvers

• In a profession, talent is leveraged
• In a vocation, cause is leveraged

• Goal-setting is the tool of choice for progressing in a profession
• Meditation is the tool of choice for progressing in a vocation

• A profession is intrinsically self-centered
• A vocation is intrinsically God-centered

• The key benchmark in a profession is professionalism
• The key benchmark in a vocation is stewardship

• The end-point of profession is entrepreneurship
• The end-point of vocation is salvation

• The horizon for profession is material success
• The horizon for vocation is spiritual legacy