When you’re young, there are so many possibilities ahead of you. You have the time and the potential to be anything you want to be. For instance, you could travel the world, write a best-selling book, or go into space if that is what you want. You could be an actor, plumber, dog trainer, graphic designer, secretary, CEO, landscape architect, or anything else you can think of.
But as you get older, your options start to dwindle. With each big decision you make, the scope of possibility narrows down until you find yourself on the particular path you have chosen. Hopefully, you will be happy with your choice, but if you’re not careful you could find yourself full of regret.
Many people don’t find their true calling until well into middle age, so you shouldn’t worry too much about your future right now. If you are unsure what you want to do with your life, here are some ideas to help you decide.
Follow your heart
What are you passionate about? There must be something that brings joy and meaning into your life. Maybe there is a way to turn this love into a lucrative career. Let’s say you love reading books. Why not find a job in the publishing industry, or even write your own novel? If you are an animal lover, you could become a zoologist or work for a rescue charity. Look deep inside yourself and work out what would make you happiest in life.
Remember what matters
We are constantly fed the narrative that we need to chase money. Our parents, teachers, and peers drill into us that it’s important to find a well-paying job and work your way up the career ladder. But money is not an end in itself. Of course we need some financial security in order to survive, but it doesn’t bring you lasting happiness. The things that are most important in life are our relationships, happiness, and health. Find a job that will bring you the best balance of these three things.
Seek career advice
If you’re at a complete loss for what to do with yourself, there are plenty of resources out there to seek career advice. If you’re still in education, your school or university will have career advisors who can talk to you about your options. Alternatively, there are plenty of recruitment and career advice companies that can sit down with you and discuss possible professions that might be of interest. Talk to your parents, your friends, your teachers, and anyone who will listen. There will be plenty of good advice and some bad. It is up to you to work out which is which.
Take your time
Don’t feel you have to stick with the first company that offers you a job. If you’re still figuring things out, you will need to earn money but this is just a temporary necessity until you come up with a plan. Remember that these things take time. Enjoy your life, keep moving forward, and soon enough the right answer will come to you. Good luck on your journey.
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