How many people do you know who are in the right career? Who’s earning a living in a highly rewarding way? Are you?
Most people are far from it, and unfortunately it’s the way people think that’s holding them back. Many people think that to find and get in to the ideal career is a really straight forward thing to do. But then, most of these people are not in it. Why is that? I’ll be blunt and realistic. It’s because they’re wrong. It’s not as easy as they think. And there lies the problem.
I come across lots of comments online, sometimes even disguised as advice that make light of the situation. They don’t mean to, in fact the intentions of people is to help. But unfortunately it’s having the opposite effect.
Many people post comments like, ‘just find out what your passions and skills are, and make sure you use these’. Thanks for that. Is that the magic wand we all needed? Does that mean a miraculous shuffle is about to occur and everyone is going to leave their current jobs for their ‘ideal careers’? No.
Some people say, ‘just do what you love’. Where do they get these gems of advice from? I hadn’t thought of that. Look, sorry to be sarcastic here, but I’ve seen so many comments like this that I want to raise awareness that they are not helping and they are part of the problem.
Yes, it’s true, certainly strive to do what you love. But that’s a bit vague and doesn’t tell people HOW to start moving in the right direction.
Let me tell you ths - coming from someone who made it their mission to identfy and get in to my ideal career (6 years ago). It took a fair amount of time and effort to work through a methodical thought process to identify my ideal career. It was not straight forward, but NEITHER was it boring or dull. It was very exciting, really motivating, and I don’t want to sound all fluffy but obviously it changed my life like no other decision I ever made.
And I learned a way to contiually keep myself on track and happy in my work. I use the same process every so often. Those who don’t, begin to slip in to career problems again. Everyone should know how to do it. The more you do it, the easier it is to naturally think in the right way. And you begin to make smarter career decisions.
So folks, please listen to my advice here. I’ve done it. Most other people you are listening to (many careers advisors and coaches included) have NOT done it. They claim to know the theory. But they have not made a transition in their life in to another career successfully (of course some may have, and you need to hunt them down). Do not listen to anyone who has not done it themselves. They literally do not UNDERSTAND what they are talking about. It’s like someone teaching you how to swim who has never got in the water themselves.
Finally, I hope you understand the importance of getting in to the right career. If you don’t yet, you will one day when your career situation begins to hurt.
I regard it as one of your most important decisions in life, because earning a living IS your life. You spend more time working than anything else, and you owe it to yourself to earn a living in a way that you enjoy and are best at.
If you’re not yet there, you need to be there.
Any thoughts or questions? Post them below and I’ll answer.