Discover Your True Calling: The Power of the ‘What Colour Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’

AvatarByGenny Wilkinson Priest

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads in your career or life, unsure of which path to take next? Or perhaps you’re someone who dreams of taking a leap of faith into a new job or opportunity, but fear holds you back. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, then the ‘What Colour Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’ may be just the tool you need. This unique and powerful exercise has helped countless individuals discover their inner passions and find clarity in their career choices. So, if you’re ready to explore your talents, values, and desires, read on to discover more about this transformative exercise.

1. Understanding the Parachute Flower Exercise

The Parachute Flower Exercise, also known as “What Color is Your Parachute Flower?”, is a popular career assessment tool that was first introduced in the book “What Color is Your Parachute?” by author and career expert Richard N. Bolles. The exercise is designed to help individuals discover their ideal career path and identify roles that align with their skills, interests, and values.

The Parachute Flower Exercise is based on the concept that each person has a unique set of strengths, passions, and desires that can be compared to different types of flowers. Just as flowers come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so do individual traits and characteristics. By identifying which flower best represents them, individuals can gain a better understanding of themselves and their desired career direction.

This exercise has been widely used by career counselors, coaches, and individuals looking to make a career change or find their true calling. Its popularity stems from its simple yet effective approach to self-discovery.

2. How Does the Exercise Work?

The Parachute Flower Exercise begins by asking individuals to first identify their key strengths – both tangible skills like technical expertise or communication abilities, as well as intangible traits such as creativity or leadership. Participants are also asked to reflect on their personal interests and values – what motivates them and what they believe in.

Next, individuals are asked to identify which flowers they feel most represent their strengths and interests. Bolles suggests an extensive list of over 100 different flowers for participants to choose from. Some may find themselves drawn to the beauty of a rose, while others may relate more to the resilience of a dandelion or the uniqueness of an orchid.

Once participants have chosen their top five flowers, they are then instructed to research each one further – looking into its characteristics, symbolism, and relevance to their own strengths and values. This step encourages individuals to deepen their understanding of themselves and their potential career paths.

The last part of the exercise involves bringing all the information together to create a “parachute flower” – a combination of the top five flowers that best represent the individual’s strengths and interests. This final flower serves as a visual representation of their ideal career direction and can be used as a guide in their job search or career development.

3. The Benefits of the Parachute Flower Exercise

The Parachute Flower Exercise offers several benefits for individuals who participate in it. Firstly, it allows individuals to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, including their unique strengths, interests, and values. This knowledge is essential in determining what type of work would be most fulfilling and satisfying for them.

Additionally, the exercise helps individuals gain clarity on their career goals and direction. By identifying their top five flowers, individuals can begin to focus on roles that align with these traits, leading to more focused job searches and career decisions.

Another benefit is that this exercise can also aid in highlighting potential areas for professional development or skill-building. For example, if an individual notices that they lack certain skills required for a particular flower/career path they are interested in, they can proactively work on developing those skills to increase their chances of success.

Furthermore, the Parachute Flower Exercise encourages individuals to think outside the box when it comes to choosing a career path. By looking at different types of flowers with unique qualities and characteristics, participants may be inspired to explore unconventional or lesser-known career options that may be an excellent fit for them.

4. Tips for Completing the Parachute Flower Exercise

To get the most out of the Parachute Flower Exercise, it is essential to approach it with an open mind and willingness to explore different perspectives about oneself. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when completing the exercise:

– Be honest with yourself: This exercise only works if you are honest about your strengths, interests, and values. It’s easy to choose the flowers you think would sound impressive, but be sure to stick to your genuine qualities.

– Do thorough research: Take the time to research each flower thoroughly. The more you can relate it to yourself, the better it will help you understand your strengths and desired career direction.

– Consider feedback from trusted sources: You can also ask friends, family members, or co-workers for their opinions on which flowers they think represent you best. Remember that they may see qualities in you that you don’t see yourself.

– Don’t limit yourself: When selecting your top five flowers, try not to limit yourself by only choosing what is familiar or seems logical. Allow yourself to be genuinely drawn to flowers that resonate with you, even if they may seem surprising at first.

5. How to Use Your Parachute Flower

After completing the Parachute Flower Exercise, the final step is using your “parachute flower” as a guide for your career decisions and development. Here are some ways you can incorporate it into your job search and

Overview of the What Colour Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise

The What Colour Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise is a popular career development tool that helps individuals determine their strengths, interests, and values in order to find their ideal career path. This exercise was created by Richard N. Bolles, a former Episcopal minister and career counselor, who has sold over 10 million copies of his book “What Colour Is Your Parachute?”

The exercise involves identifying a person’s top ten favorite skills or abilities and matching them with their top ten favorite fields of interest. This helps an individual gain clarity on what type of work they would enjoy and excel in. The end result is a personalised “flower” that represents an individual’s unique combination of skills and interests.

The Science behind the Exercise

The What Colour Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise is based on the idea that individuals are most fulfilled when their work aligns with their strengths, values, and interests. Numerous studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between job satisfaction and a strong alignment between an individual’s skills and interests.

By identifying one’s top ten skills and interests, this exercise allows individuals to focus on their strengths rather than trying to fit into predetermined career paths.

How to Complete the Exercise

Step 1: Identify your top ten skills.
Start by listing down all the skills you possess, both hard (technical) and soft (personal). These could include communication, problem-solving, leadership, creativity, etc. Narrow down your list to ten key skills that you enjoy using the most.

Step 2: Identify your top ten fields of interest.
Take some time to think about what kind of work you find interesting or enjoyable. Do you like working with numbers? Do you want to make a positive impact on society? List down your top ten fields of interest.

Step 3: Match your skills with your fields of interest.
Take each skill and see which fields of interest they align with. For example, if you have strong communication skills, you may be well-suited for a career in marketing, sales, or counselling.

Step 4: Create your personal “flower”.
Using a blank page or template of a flower, write down your top ten skills in the petals and your top ten fields of interest in the center. This will give you a visual representation of your unique combination.

Benefits of Completing the Exercise

The What Colour Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise provides individuals with numerous benefits for their career development journey.

Clarity and Direction

By completing this exercise, individuals gain clarity on what type of work they are most suited for. This allows them to focus their efforts on finding job opportunities that align with their strengths and interests.

Avoiding Career Mistakes

Many individuals end up in careers that don’t align with their skills and interests due to societal pressure or other factors. By completing this exercise, individuals can avoid making career mistakes and find work that is fulfilling to them.

Increased Job Satisfaction

When individuals are able to use their skills and pursue their interests in their work, they are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs. This exercise helps individuals identify the right career path for them, resulting in higher levels of job satisfaction.

Personal Growth

This exercise also provides an opportunity for personal growth as it encourages self-reflection and introspection. By examining one’s skills and interests, individuals can gain a better understanding of themselves and what drives them.

The What Colour Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise is a powerful tool that has helped millions find fulfilling careers. By identifying one’s top skills and fields of interest, individuals can gain clarity, avoid career mistakes, and increase their job satisfaction. This exercise not only helps individuals in their career development but also promotes personal growth. So, what colour is your parachute flower? Take the exercise and find out!

Q: What is the purpose of the ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’?
A: The exercise is designed to help individuals identify their unique skills, values, and interests in order to guide their career choices.

Q: How does the exercise work?
A: The exercise involves picking various flower colors that represent different aspects of one’s personality, which are then used to identify potential career paths.

Q: Is this exercise suitable for all stages of a person’s career?
A: Yes, this exercise can be helpful for individuals at any stage of their career, whether they are just starting out or looking to make a change.

Q: Can this exercise be completed alone or is guidance from a career counselor necessary?
A: The exercise can be done individually, but it may also be beneficial to seek guidance from a career counselor or coach for additional insights and support.

Q: How long does it take to complete the ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’?
A: The exercise can vary in length depending on how much time an individual wants to devote to it. It can range from a few minutes to several hours.

Q: Are there any resources available for completing this exercise?
A: Yes, the book “What Color Is Your Parachute?” by Richard N. Bolles provides detailed instructions and examples for completing the flower exercise. Additionally, there are online resources and worksheets available as well.

In conclusion, the “What Color is Your Parachute Flower Exercise” is a powerful tool that can help individuals identify their strengths, passions, and ideal career paths. By examining the various aspects of one’s personality, interests, values, and skills through the lens of different flower colors, this exercise provides a unique and creative approach to career exploration. Furthermore, it allows individuals to step outside of traditional methods of self-assessment and gain a new perspective on their professional aspirations.

Through this exercise, individuals are able to identify their personal brand and use it as a guiding force in their career decisions. Understanding our unique capabilities and ambitions is crucial in finding fulfilling and satisfying work. The various elements of the “What Color is Your Parachute Flower Exercise” work together to provide individuals with a holistic understanding of themselves and what they want in their careers.

Moreover, this exercise encourages introspection and self-awareness, which are essential for personal growth and development. It reminds us that our career choices are not solely based on external factors such as salary or societal expectations but also our own desires and values.

One important takeaway from this exercise is that there is no one “right” color or career path for everyone. Our individual experiences and passions shape us, making each person’s flower color

Author Profile

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Genny Wilkinson Priest
Genny Wilkinson Priest began her journey into Ashtanga yoga in 2000 while working as a journalist in her native New York City. Initially drawn to the practice for its physical benefits, Genny soon discovered the profound mental advantages, especially during the challenging period following the 9/11 terror attacks.

Which she covered as a journalist for Reuters. Her professional career took her to Singapore, where she wrote for Time Magazine, and then to Paris, before she finally settled in London.

As her family expanded to include four boys, Genny decided to leave full-time journalism to immerse herself in yoga studies. She achieved certification as a Shri K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute Authorised Level 1 teacher, a British Wheel of Yoga teacher, and a Yoga Alliance-certified teacher.Genny’s passion for yoga philosophy led her to pursue a Master’s Degree in the Traditions of Yoga and Meditation at SOAS in London.

From 2024, Genny Wilkinson Priest has started writing an informative blog on the “Niche Name” niche. She writes informative posts and answers queries on topics that people seek in the niche. This transition marks a significant shift from her previous focus on journalism and traditional media to a more interactive and digital form of communication.

Genny’s blog aims to provide valuable information and foster a community of yoga enthusiasts who can learn and grow together. Her extensive background in both journalism and yoga practice ensures that her content is both authoritative and engaging.