# 316. You're Probably in the Wrong Career — Here's How to Find Your "Thing" | Tom Rath

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-learn-it-all-podcast-6700797/316-you-re-probably-in-the-wrong-career-here-s-how-to-find-your-thing-tom-rath
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-learn-it-all-podcast-6700797/316-you-re-probably-in-the-wrong-career-here-s-how-to-find-your-thing-tom-rath.md
Podcast: [the Learn-It-All™ podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-learn-it-all-podcast-6700797)
Published: 2026-07-28T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.learnit.com/podcast
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/708feb4c-2a34-406b-8ad5-52b7a5e1abb2.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2571

## Resource

By the time you picked your career, you probably only knew about 5% of the opportunities out there. No wonder so many of us end up in the wrong one. According to bestselling author Tom Rath, millions of people die with their greatest contributions locked inside them. He makes the case that a few key changes can unlock your full potential, make you a better leader, and build purpose into your day. In this episode, you will learn: Why most people end up in the wrong career The daily question that keeps you focused on what matters Why chasing your own happiness is the wrong goal How to find the right career and build purpose into your day How the leaders can bring out the best in their teams Topics discussed: (00:00) Introduction (00:47) Why Most People Choose Wrong (05:54) Stop Promoting the Wrong People (07:13) How His Health Shaped His Mindset (12:21) One Question to Ask Daily (15:53) The Happiness Mistake (17:23) Help People See Their Greatness (23:23) Don't Specialize Too Early (25:43) Rethinking Purpose (27:59) Stop Sleepwalking Through Your Day (32:05) Your Role as a Leader (35:09) Boost Your Productivity (36:59) How to Find Your Path Connect with Tom Rath: https://tomrath.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/trath/ https://x.com/TomCRath https://www.facebook.com/authortomrath https://www.instagram.com/tomrath_author Resources Mentioned: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink About the Guest: Tom is an author and researcher who studies how careers impact health and wellbeing. He has written 12 books that have sold more than 10 million copies and made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists. Tom's first book, How Full Is Your Bucket? , was an instant #1 New York Time…

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