How do you figure out what you want to do next in your career? For some it’s obvious and for others the decision can seem utterly daunting, so much that it freezes them in their path. If you are considering a career change and you’ve found yourself here, congratulations! You’re already taking steps to figure out what you want to do next!
Before you consider any options, it’s extraordinarily important to understand your values and unique strengths. Aligning your career path to your values can quite literally make or break your decision. So if you haven’t already done so, check out my advise on how to understand your values and strengths here.
Now that you know your values and strengths, you can begin identifying your destination. The destination is your end goal, where you want to be. Without a goal it’s hard to know what steps to take to get there. Here are the steps I took to identify my goal:
- Write down values and strengths. Know them inside and out, by memory so that there’s no need to constantly reference. You just know them.
- Throw all pre-conceived notions of what you can do out the window. This is not the time to filter and especially not the time to limit what you think you can do!
- Consider all possibilities. Think of it as a brainstorming activity. While brainstorming, everything is on the table. If you need help getting started, check out this article and consider their recommended questions!
- Write down your initial reaction to some of these ideas. Before giving any thought, what do you think? The purpose of this exercise is to try to tap into your sub-conscience. Your sub-conscience is an incredibly insightful tool that guides you, so try to figure out what it’s telling you!
- Talk to those in field to find out what the role really entails. People will gladly tell you all about what they do, so have fun with it. Try to get as accurate a picture as you can of their role, from the good to the bad. Don’t forget that what might be challenging for one person could be a great fit for you, and what your interviewer loves might be a challenge for you.
- Take a close look at your list. See how they match your values. See how they match your values. See how they match your values. Yes, I said it 3 times! Immediately discard any career paths that don’t match your values, but keep 2-3 that appear to be good fits.
- Identify ways that your natural strengths could be especially useful in the role.
- Sit on some ideas for a while – like weeks or months. Deep dive. Keep in mind that first reaction from step #4. Envision what it you think it’d be like to be in certain roles. Don’t let the obstacles of getting there prevent you from picking a destination!
- Through the process, one career choice will eventually rise to the top. It’ll sound so interesting to you. You’ll get excited just thinking about what it’d be like to be in that role.
Its about the journey, not the goal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op8jSxpxA3A