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Can't
Decide On A New Career? Don't Rush It!
Dream Career News
by Kent Johnson
http://www.careeradrenaline.com
Issue: Nov
15, 2005
Number of Subscribers: 1159
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If you really want a new career, but you can’t decide which direction to take, or what work you would really enjoy persuing, don’t despair. This isn’t a process that should be rushed in any way. A successful career change is a process, and the right career path may only come to you after hours of soul searching and carefully weighing all your options. But it is time well spent. After all, the worst thing you can do in a career transistion (especially if you’re an older worker) is make a hasty decision that you’ll regret later.
Finding your passion will probably take some time. After all, most adults have been taught that you should find a job that will provide well for your family, and give you security, and so what if it’s dull, monotonous work that saps all of your creative energy and leaves you feeling empty and unfulfilled?
Most of us were turned away from our passions and our interests by well-meaning but misguided parents and teachers. You can’t make a living as an artist, or a musician, or an entrepreneur, we were told. You need to find something solid, something safe, like accounting, or nursing, or construction (now I’m not trying to belittle any of those occupations, by any means. Many people are quite satisfied working in those fields. But there are other alternatives for many of us who seek more creative work, if we dare to try).
If you’re having trouble pinpointing the type of work you’d like to persue, try doing a few brainstorming exercises. Think back to a time in your life when you were doing something that really enthralled you, something that had you fully engaged and inspired. Maybe it was acting in a school play, or playing an instrument in the band, or gazing at the stars through a telescope, or working out equations in your high school calculus class (not an option for me, I’m afraid).
Another thing to ask yourself is what do you do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies that you’re passionate about? Do you enjoy art, or music, or movies, or stamp collecting, or scrapbooking? Don’t discount a hobby as having no money-making potential. Almost anything can be turned into a career or a business these days, especially with the Internet. And even if your hobby can’t be turned into a career, it could still help you pinpoint your interests and passions.
And lastly, ask the people around you for help. Sometimes others are better at identifying your strengths and interests than you are, especially family members. But ask them to stick to constructive ideas, and don’t be afraid to be selective when listening to others advice. Remember, you’re the only one who can truly decide what career path is best for you.
Don’t get discouraged if the answers to the above questions aren’t immediately forthcoming. Again, this is a process, and the best career field for you might not become apparent until you’ve tried several different things. Just remember to take action, keep moving forward, and sooner or later you’ll find the work you were born to do.
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Copyright (c) 2005 by Kent Johnson
Author, publisher, career coach
"Helping people realize their dreams one career at a time."
Searching for your dream career? Visit the popular
http://www.careeradrenaline.com for more info
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