Minneapolis, Minnesota: Since 9/11 my significant other has found more dissonance between his job and his career goals so he decided to quit his job. Unfortunately that dissonance remains and he seems stuck at determining what he wants to do with his life. What suggestions do you have for moving on? In other words the intent to change is high but his actions seem weak. He focuses more on his house repair than on exploring a new career.

Stephen Covey: The ideal career can say “yes” to the following three questions: Am I good at it? Do I really like it? Does the world need it to the point that I can get paid for it? This requires a lot of self-knowledge, and also the study of opportunities to discern the real needs and problems in those opportunities. Then proactively, you go to that opportunity as a prepared solution to their problem instead of being just another problem.

Comment from Stephen Covey: The main reason most people don’t have the job they want is because they don’t do this homework, and they’re nothing but a problem rather than a solution to problems.

Comment from Stephen Covey: Arise to your responsibility and make it happen.

Read the rest in this missed Stephen Covey chat transcript at USAToday.

Stephen Covey is chatting now at USAToday on Job satisfaction.