What were you put on this earth to do? I’ve read many articles that go into if you’re good at math you should be an engineer or if you’re good with kids maybe a career in teaching is the right path for you. What I haven’t seen very often is asking the simple question of, “What do you want to do?” This is the first thing I always ask someone that meets with me and wants assistance with their career planning. Most are surprised because no one has ever asked them that. When I did volunteer work with veterans we would just map out what they did and tried to find the same thing in the civilian world. Life is too darn short to spend all your time doing something that doesn’t inspire you for greater things.
I know some will say that this is great but at the end of the day all that matters is getting a job and putting food on the table. I couldn’t agree with you more but there should be plan for today and for your future. If you don’t have a map, how are you going to get to your ultimate destination? Start by thinking through some of the suggestions below:
- What comes naturally? – What is something that you do all of the time and hours pass by without you even noticing it because you love it so much. Maybe you love music but you can’t carry a tune to save your life. Target your focus towards businesses or industries that have the kind of environment that you will thrive in. What are the words, sounds, smells, tastes, or images get excited?
- What irritates you? – Yes; what is something that makes you mad or that you want to fix. Many quickly realize that status quo sucks and is downright horrible for many things in this world. If you have an idea or can make something better, what not make that your career?
- What makes you smile? – This seems really simple but maybe it is your children or cousin that gives you peace. What can you do to make this world a little bit better for them? Read the history behind the Khan Academy and you will get the picture.
- Start with the old….end with YOU – So let’s say you did go for that degree and now you look up wondering how to use it in a way that inspires you. Have a degree in IT but love art? How about working at the local museum IT helping get art out to the masses through social media. Do you have a love for animals but have a journalism degree? Go work at a non-profit that supports animals helping with their public relations or bidding process. Do you but put your own spin on it.
If you’re working with someone about your career aspirations and they haven’t asked you any of the questions above then I would have a conversation about making sure you are both of the same page. No one should tell you want you do in this world; they should be helping you to figure out the best path. If not, feel free to contact me and we can schedule some time to get you on the right path.
