How to Discover and Pursue What Truly Energizes You

Hi there, welcome to Work Wise! My name’s Octavia Goredema.

I’m the CEO of Fire Memos, the author of Prep, Push, Pivot and the host of the Audible Original series How To Change Careers.

Every week I share insights and actionable steps to help you do your best work and achieve your career goals.

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When was the last time you felt truly excited about your work? Not just satisfied or productive, but genuinely energized and excited?

As we prepare for 2025, I’d like to encourage you to look beyond your to-do list and consider the professional opportunities that would truly excite you.

This is what I refer to as the “I’d Love To…” list.  It’s an invigorating way to explore what lights you up at work. Instead of outlining rigid milestones, this list captures experiences, opportunities, and moments you’d love to have. It’s about dreaming, getting curious, and bringing joy into your career.

Here’s how to create your “I’d Love To…” list, why it matters, and how to make those ideas a reality. And, if you’re feeling stuck or uninspired, I share some tips to help reignite your motivation at your own pace.

Finding What Inspires You

An “I’d Love To…” list isn’t about what you should do. It’s about what you want to experience. Think of it as a collection of aspirations that make you excited to wake up in the morning and get going.

For example:

• “I’d love to collaborate on X with a mentor I admire.”
• “I’d love to attend Y event and soak up new perspectives.”
• “I’d love to lead Z and connect with this audience.”

Each item reflects something meaningful to you, not just what’s expected or on your immediate to-do list.

Why This Approach Works

Traditional goal setting often centers on external validation milestones centered on meeting deadlines or reaching certain benchmarks decided by someone else. While important, these can sometimes feel disconnected from what actually fuels us.

An “I’d Love To…” list flips the script.

It’s about your own personal intrinsic motivation, the things that give you excitement and purpose. When you identify experiences that truly resonate, you’ll not only enjoy your work more but also naturally excel, so it’s a win-win all round.

Getting Started

Creating this list should feel fun, not forced. Set aside time to brainstorm and allow your ideas to flow. Here are some coaching-inspired questions to guide you:

• When do you feel most alive at work?
• What kind of work environments excite you?
• What skills or passions would you like to explore?
• Who inspires you professionally?
• What would make you say, “Wow, I can’t believe I got to do that...”?

As your ideas start to flow, it’s time to capture them and then choose one that stands out for you.

Using Your Ideas to Spark Action

Having a list is great, but making it happen is where the magic happens. Here are a few ways you could explore turning your idea into reality:

Start Small. Pick one item that feels doable and take the first step. Want to shadow someone? Reach out with an email. Excited about running a workshop? Draft an idea and share it with someone for feedback.

Look for Overlaps. Scan your list for items that align with team or company goals, and where your “I’d Love To…” idea could add value.

Share Your Aspirations. Talk to your manager or mentor about your “I’d Love To…” list. Frame it as a way to grow and add value to your team.

Reigniting Your Enthusiasm If You Feel Uninspired

If you’re feeling stuck and can’t think of anything you’d love to do at work next year, know that you’re not alone. It’s normal to go through phases where inspiration runs low, especially if you’re feeling exhausted, unsure about your direction, or disconnected from your role.

Sometimes, the reason we can’t think of what we’d love to do is because we’re too busy or overwhelmed to imagine it. If that’s the case, don’t push yourself in the moment.  Giving yourself space to step back and not think about work can actually help ideas to flow more naturally.

Feeling uninspired doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you, it might just mean you’re in a season where rest, recalibration, or exploration is needed. Give yourself grace and trust that clarity will come in time. 

In the meantime, focus on what you can control: showing up, doing your best, and staying open to new experiences. Inspiration often strikes when you least expect it.

Define Success on Your Own Terms

Work is often defined by expectations, but your “I’d Love To…” list shifts the focus to what makes you come alive. It doesn’t have to be a grand plan for the future, it can be as simple as starting where you are, with a single idea that excites you.

By prioritizing experiences that feel meaningful and energizing, you’re reshaping how success looks and feels. Over time, those small moments of energy and excitement will build into something bigger - a career that has value and purpose and feels uniquely yours.

– Octavia Goredema

CEO of Fire Memos, author of Prep, Push, Pivot and the host of the Audible Original series How To Change Careers