Many of us start off a new year or new moon with the best of intentions: exercise more, save more, find a new start and job. Exercising and saving seem easy – the first step is the start – put one foot in front of the other, and getting into a regiment, whether physical or fiscal health.
But finding a new career is not as easy. The first step in career navigation must answer the question ‘What do you want to do?’ Easy to ask, hard to answer. That leads to personal reflection—’Who am I?’ and ‘What do I value?’ These big questions require ‘thinking’ time, and should not trip off your tongue quickly.
Finding what you really want to do – your purpose – comes easy to a few, but for others the answers come only from the journey, muddling through and wandering on different paths. Such a sojourn requires serious self reflection, concentrated thought to uncover what a fulfilling career might look like. Such grappling often happens when we’re pushed or jolted into it – a job loss or a change in personal priorities.
When you feel that you can’t take it any more, when those priorities change, or your company goes through massive upheaval, take pencil in hand, reflect on the past, and write down what’s really important to you. Not simply a job, but values. Don’t skimp on either. This is the first step in finding your next career path.
