Image

Over 60% of our lives is spent working, and the sad fact is that many of us never end up doing the jobs we wanted to do. We end up sticking to what’s good for the family or which pays the best, but we should be thinking about what we actually want to do with our lives too.

If you feel as if you are a pot a loose end right now with your career options, or you feel as if it’s time for a change, you will need to take a look at this post and step back to really think about what you should do with your life.

What Excites You?

The first thing to think about when you are about to choose your career path is what makes you jump out of bed every morning. You need to find that one thing which you are passionate about and which makes you happy every single day, only then will you find your true path. For example, you may love helping people in your community, and this could involve you going into social work and undertaking lcsw reciprocity. Maybe you love animals, and you want nothing more than to go abroad to facilitate conservation. Whatever you love is the thing you want to start pursuing.  

What Are You Good At?

Remember that an important part of finding the right career is knowing your own skills. Think about what you’re talented at and what you can bring to the wider world. You may be struggling to choose a specific passion, but the skills you possess could be what drives you in a particular direction.

If In Doubt, Test It

You might think that career tests are only made for college kids who have no idea what to do with their lives, but you can take a test at any age. If you have found yourself in a rut with what to do in your life or you simply don’t like your job, it may be worth taking a career test to see whether you are suited to anything else. You could see results you’ve never given any thought, and in the end this result could be exactly what you need for your life. And even if it doesn’t help, it will only be 20 minutes of your day.

Intern It

If you are flexible with your current income or are in a situation where money is not an issue, going for a small internship could be the best way for you to try out a different career path to see if it is for you or not. Many people use this method as a way of experiencing first hand what it would be like to work in a certain role and it can give valuable insight into different career paths. You may have always been convinced that you wanted to be a teacher when you were younger, and when it comes to work experience you could find that you hate it. It is a helpful way to test the water and see if what you think you want actually is what you want, before you commit completely.

Get A Mentor

It is crucial when you are looking to advance your career or take a new path that you find someone who is more experienced and can show you the ropes. Things will be much less daunting for you if you have already found someone to tell you their experiences and what to expect with a certain career or training. It could be useful if you are interested in a specific role to find someone within a company who you can shadow for a couple of days to learn the ropes.

Think Outside The Box

Most people go for the popular career choices in life like being a scientist, a doctor or a lawyer because they know they are reputable and will allow them to support their loved ones. However, choosing a career shouldn’t mean just going for the sensible option. There are thousands of amazing careers up for grabs which you may never have even heard of, and it is not until you open yourself up these opportunities that you will truly see what’s on offer for you. You could have a job as cool as a chocolate inspector, a panda caretaker and even a cat cuddler! There are countless career paths out there to choose from, you just need to take the time to research and find something which truly appeals to you.

Ask Other People

Sometimes the best way for you to find out what kind of job would suit you and what’s out there is simply to ask. You could ask other people what they are working on and what kind of careers they have come across in their time. Talk about the things you love and your skills, and they may be able to help you move in one direction or the other. Talking to others is a great way to gain a different perspective on the working world and gain multiple insights on how it all works. Some people may be creative, some may be analytical and some may be great at communicating: they will all have different views and values which you can make the most of during your search.

G+P+V Formula

have you ever heard of the G+P+V formula? It entails that the perfect career for you will include Gifts + Passions + Values. This means that a perfect balance of these three things will be the perfect job for you to take on. Think about what you love to do the most in the world, everything you excel at and then your values. What are the conditions and morals you absolutely cannot work without? Many modern companies have understood the importance of values and offer a better workplace attitude for their employees. For example you will be able to to see offices with big open dining halls, yoga classes, team building, a ping pong table and lots more. If you want this to be your working environment then a modern company is the best choice.

Plan It Out

Planning is a crucial step to any great idea or process, and the same applies to your career. Take an hour to sit down and think about exactly what you want out of a career and what is the most important thing to you. Write down what you are talented at and the things you love to do most, and write down your values. Decide what path you want to take in your career and where you see yourself in the future. It is important when planning your career that you think toward to future. This will allow you to have something to strive for from day one and will keep you focussed for the future.

Realise It’s A Journey

A career is a marathon, not a sprint. You will most likely find that you go into several different roles before you reach the level you want to be. Take your time and don’t worry about the journey. Make the most of every opportunity you get in your career and build yourself a library of skills and values to use as your progress further. It could take you a few years to reach where you want to be and it could be decades, just have faith in yourself and trust yourself to make the right decision. And most importantly, enjoy your job!