Discover Your True Calling with the ‘What Color Is Your Parachute’ Flower Exercise

AvatarByGenny Wilkinson Priest

Imagine yourself taking a walk through a lush and vibrant garden, filled with an array of colorful flowers. As you stroll, you come across a peculiar flower that catches your eye. Its unique shape and hues leave you wondering, “What color is this parachute flower?” This question may seem trivial at first, but it holds a deeper meaning when applied to our lives and careers. In this article, we will delve into the powerful exercise known as “What Color Is Your Parachute Flower,” and explore how it can help us discover our true passions and career paths. Are you ready to unlock a world of possibilities? Let’s begin.

The Importance of the “What Color Is Your Parachute” Flower Exercise

The “What Color Is Your Parachute” flower exercise is an integral part of the popular career guidebook, “What Color Is Your Parachute?” written by Richard N. Bolles. This exercise has been recommended by career counselors and coaches all around the world for over four decades. It is considered to be one of the most effective methods for exploring your skills, interests, and values to find a fulfilling career.

One of the main reasons why the “What Color Is Your Parachute” flower exercise is so highly regarded is because it helps individuals connect with their inner selves and identify their ideal career paths. As such, it goes beyond just listing down job titles or completing online personality tests. Instead, this exercise encourages introspection and self-evaluation, making it a powerful tool for personal growth.

Another essential aspect of this exercise is that it focuses on more than just skills and qualifications. It also takes into account personal values and interests, which are often overlooked in traditional career planning methods. By considering these factors, individuals can find careers that align with their core beliefs and passions, leading to greater job satisfaction and overall happiness.

Moreover, the “What Color Is Your Parachute” flower exercise offers individuals a sense of direction in their careers. Many people struggle with finding a clear career path or transitioning into a new one because they aren’t sure what they want to do or where their skills are best suited. By completing this exercise, individuals can gain clarity about their strengths and weaknesses and learn how to effectively navigate towards a fulfilling career.

Additionally, this exercise promotes self-awareness and boosts confidence in individuals looking to make changes in their careers. By understanding one’s abilities and limitations through this exercise, individuals can feel more confident about making important decisions regarding their professional lives.

How to Complete the “What Color Is Your Parachute” Flower Exercise

Now that we understand the importance of the “What Color Is Your Parachute” flower exercise, let’s delve into the steps on how to complete it.

Step 1: Gather Necessary Materials

To complete this exercise, you will need a copy of “What Color is Your Parachute?” book, a notebook or journal, and a quiet space to reflect.

Step 2: Understand the Anatomy of the Flower

The “What Color Is Your Parachute” flower exercise is aptly named because it follows the structure of a flower. The flower has six petals, each representing different areas of your life. These include your preferred working conditions, skills, fields or people you would like to work with, values and interests.

Step 3: Identify Your Preferred Working Conditions

The first petal focuses on your preferred working conditions – Do you enjoy working indoors or outdoors? In large or small teams? Are you comfortable with extensive travel? Take your time to think about what work environment brings out the best in you and note it down in your notebook.

Step 4: Assess Your Skills

The second petal covers your skills – What are you good at? What skills do you enjoy using? Are there any specific skills that set you apart from others? Reflect on these questions and write down all your strengths in your notebook.

Step 5: Determine Your Preferred Fields or People

The third petal explores the fields or people that interest you. Think about industries that pique your curiosity or types of organizations or individuals that align with your values. Maybe it’s working for a non-profit organization or with children – whatever it may be, write it down in your notebook.

Step 6: Identify Your Personal Values

The fourth petal is all about identifying your personal values – What do you believe in? What motivates and drives you? Knowing your values is crucial in finding a fulfilling career that aligns with who you are as a person.

Step 7: Explore Your Interests

The fifth petal allows you to explore your interests – What do you enjoy doing in your free time? What topics do you find fascinating? Identifying your interests can lead to career paths that bring you joy and satisfaction.

Step 8: Analyze the Flower

Once you have completed all six petals, go through your notebook and analyze the information. Look for patterns and connections between the different areas of your life. This analysis will help you identify potential career paths that encompass all or most of your petals.

Step 9: Take Action

The final step is to take action. Use the information on your flower exercise to create a plan for your career. Maybe it involves getting additional education or networking with professionals in your preferred field. Whatever it may be, make sure it aligns with the key areas identified in your “What Color Is Your Parachute” flower exercise.

The Benefits of Completing the “What Color Is Your Parachute” Flower Exercise

Completing the “What Color Is Your Parachute” flower exercise has many benefits that can guide individuals towards finding their ideal careers.

The Importance of the ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’

The ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’ is more than just a simple exercise – it is a valuable tool for self-discovery and career exploration. Developed by career counselor Richard N. Bolles, this exercise has been used by millions of individuals to identify their unique skills, interests, and values.

One of the main reasons why this exercise is so important is because it helps individuals understand themselves better. Many people struggle with identifying their strengths and weaknesses, but through this exercise, they are able to gain a deeper understanding of who they are and what they have to offer. This self-awareness is critical in finding a career that aligns with one’s natural abilities and passions.

Moreover, the ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’ also helps individuals identify their interests. This is especially important for those who may not have a clear idea of what they want to do with their lives. By exploring different colors and what they represent, individuals can gain insight into the areas that truly interest them. This can lead to exploring new job opportunities or even creating their own career path.

Another key aspect of this exercise is the emphasis on values. Many people feel unhappy or unfulfilled in their careers because their personal values are not aligned with those of their employers or the work they do. The ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’ helps individuals clarify their core values so that they can seek out companies and careers that share these principles.

In addition to personal exploration, the ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’ also has practical benefits for job seekers. It encourages individuals to think outside the box when it comes to job searching, suggesting creative strategies such as informational interviews and using personal contacts. This open-minded approach can lead to unexpected opportunities and ultimately result in finding the right job fit.

Finally, this exercise has stood the test of time. First published in 1970, it has gone through multiple editions, each one updated to reflect the changing job market and evolving career trends. This speaks to the reliability and effectiveness of the exercise in helping individuals navigate their career paths.

In conclusion, the ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’ is a crucial tool for personal and professional development. By providing insights into one’s skills, interests, values, and job search strategies, it empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their careers. Whether you are a recent graduate just starting out or a seasoned professional seeking a change, this exercise can guide you towards finding meaningful and fulfilling work.

How to Conduct the ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’

Conducting the ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’ is a straightforward process that can be done on your own or with the help of a career counselor. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Gather Materials – You will need two things for this exercise: a copy of Richard N. Bolles’ book “What Color Is Your Parachute?” and some colored markers or pencils.

2. Read The Book – Begin by reading through Bolles’ book as it provides context and background for the exercise. It explores topics such as the job market and how to find your ideal career based on your unique strengths, passions, and values.

3. Take Notes – As you read through the book, take notes on any key points or exercises that resonate with you. This will help you refer back to them when conducting your own personal exercise.

4. Decide On Colors – The next step is selecting the colors you want to work with based on what they represent according to Bolles’ book. For example:
– Blue represents skills/knowledge
– Red represents people/working with others
– Yellow represents fields of interest
– Green represents potential work environments

5. Start the Exercise – The ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’ consists of four steps, which are as follows:

a. Skill/Ability Inventory – Using the blue marker/pencil, write down all your skills and abilities that you have gained through work, education, or volunteer experiences.

b. Crossroads Exercise – Using the red marker/pencil, write down people or groups of people you would like to help or serve in your career (e.g., children, elderly).

c. Interest Exercise – Using the yellow marker/pencil, write down fields or topics that interest you (e.g., finance, health).

d. Work Environments Exercise – Using the green marker/pencil, write down potential work environments that you would enjoy (e.g., office setting, outdoor setting).

6. Visualize Your Flower – Once you have completed all four exercises in step 5, draw a large circle on a blank piece of paper and divide it into quadrants using the four colors. Then take each quadrant and fill it in with the skills, interests, values and work environments that align with each color. This will create your own personal ‘flower’ that represents your unique set of strengths

1. What is the purpose of the What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise?

The purpose of this exercise is to help individuals gain clarity on their interests, skills, values, and goals in order to guide them towards a fulfilling career path.

2. How does the Flower Exercise work?

The exercise involves creating a visual representation of one’s skills, interests, and values in the form of a flower, with each petal representing a different aspect. This allows individuals to identify patterns and better understand themselves.

3. Can this exercise be helpful for career changers?

Yes, the Flower Exercise can be particularly helpful for individuals looking to make a career change as it allows them to identify their transferable skills and interests that can be applied to different industries or roles.

4. Do I need any special materials for this exercise?

No, all you need is a pen and paper to draw your flower diagram. However, you may also choose to use colored pens or pencils to make the exercise more visually appealing.

5. Can this exercise be done alone or with others?

This exercise can be done individually or with others. It may be beneficial to discuss your results with someone else who can provide insight and feedback.

6. Is there a right or wrong way to do this exercise?

No, there is no right or wrong way as it is based on personal preferences and perspectives. The key is being honest with yourself and using the results as a guide for your career exploration process.

In conclusion, the ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’ is a powerful tool for self-reflection and career exploration. Through this exercise, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their passions, skills, and values, which can guide them in making fulfilling career decisions.

The first step of the exercise involves identifying one’s core skills and talents. This allows individuals to understand how their unique abilities can contribute to their career satisfaction.

Next, the exercise prompts individuals to reflect on their interests and passions. By identifying what brings them joy and fulfillment, individuals can explore careers that align with their personal values.

Furthermore, the ‘What Color Is Your Parachute Flower Exercise’ encourages individuals to consider their ideal work environment and company culture. This aspect is crucial as it highlights the importance of finding a workplace that aligns with one’s values and goals.

One of the key takeaways from this exercise is that career satisfaction goes beyond just finding a job or making a living. It involves pursuing work that fulfills one’s purpose and brings a sense of meaning and fulfillment.

Additionally, this exercise emphasizes the importance of continuously reassessing and updating one’s career goals. As individuals grow and change over time, their career priorities may shift as well. The ‘What Color Is Your Par

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.