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Naomi Rothwell-Boyd, February 22 2023

What Should I Do With My Life? Uncover Your True Calling

Do you ever find yourself asking "what should I do with my life?" It's a question that many of us face at some point in our lives. Whether it's due to career dissatisfaction or simply wanting more out of life, the challenge remains: how can we best answer this important question?

The trick is to figure out what isn't working and put your individual aspirations before everything else in line with your beliefs. Through research, self-reflection, and taking small steps towards achieving those goals – we can start answering the age old query: what should I do with my life?

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What's Not Working?

Are you feeling stuck in your current career? Are you seeking a transformation but have no idea where to begin? Many of us can relate to being uncertain about how to progress in our career. What's the right career for you anyway? Before taking any action, it's essential to assess what isn't functioning correctly in order to begin the journey of transformation.

Evaluate the reasons why your present occupation may no longer be rewarding, such as inadequate remuneration, lack of growth prospects, tedium from repetitive tasks or a detrimental work atmosphere. Is it the hours, pay, or lack of advancement opportunities? Maybe you're just bored with the same tasks day after day or maybe there's a toxic work environment that is causing stress and anxiety. Whatever it may be, pinpointing exactly what isn't working can help you make better decisions about where to go next.

Next, think about any skills or talents that have gone unused while in your current role. Perhaps there are interests that have been pushed aside due to lack of opportunity or resources available at work. What would be possible if these were given more attention? Identifying what drives you will help narrow down potential paths for future success.

Finally consider all the things that bring joy and fulfillment into your life outside of work - hobbies, passions, family relationships etc... How could these fit into a potential career change? By understanding which activities give purpose to our lives we can create goals around them as well as develop strategies on how best achieve them professionally speaking

By taking stock of everything that’s not working, we gain clarity on what needs improvement moving forward – whether it's finding a different job within our field or making a complete 180° turn towards something entirely new. This process helps provide direction when considering options for career changes, so take some time today to figure out “What’s Not Working”.

Time to abandon what isn't working and concentrate on taking charge of your professional trajectory. Ranking your personal priorities is the first step in making a successful transition into a new job or field.

Key Takeaway: Evaluating what's not panning out in your job and pinpointing abilities or interests that could be used elsewhere is worth a close inspection. By understanding which activities bring joy into our lives, we can gain clarity on how best to navigate potential career changes and create goals for future success.

Rank Your Personal Priorities

When it comes to career changes, it’s important to understand what you want out of your job. What qualities do you prioritise when selecting a profession? Are you looking for stability or flexibility? Financial rewards or professional development opportunities? Or maybe the chance to make an impact on society? Whatever it is, take some time and really think about your priorities.

Financial Rewards:

If money is your top priority, then research jobs that pay well and determine if they fit with your skillset and interests. Do you have the qualifications needed for these roles or would additional training be required? Make sure that the salary fits with what you are expecting from a new role before making any commitments.

For those seeking more versatility in their professional life, investigate the potential of remote employment or part-time roles that can provide autonomy while still gaining remuneration. For those seeking further autonomy, freelancing may be a viable option as it permits one to regulate the amount of work and its timing.

Professional Development Opportunities:

If professional growth is key for you then find companies that offer mentorship programs or workshops where employees can learn new skillsets which will help them advance their careers. Attend industry happenings, like meetings and gatherings, to stay informed of the latest trends in your area of focus while making connections with potential employers.

If having a positive effect on society motivates you, research organizations whose mission aligns with yours and see if there are open positions available where one could make a difference through their work. Volunteering in relevant areas may also be beneficial here as it gives valuable experience without committing long term yet still allowing one to contribute meaningfully towards causes they care about deeply.

Ranking your personal priorities is an important step in any career change journey. It helps to identify what matters most and set the foundation for achieving success. Assessing your values is a potent way to make sure that the choices you are making correspond with what matters most, thereby allowing for higher levels of contentment in both professional and personal spheres.

Key Takeaway: When considering a career change, it's important to rank your personal priorities such as financial rewards, flexibility and professional development opportunities. If having an impact on society is important then research organizations whose mission aligns with yours or look into volunteering options for relevant experience without the long-term commitment. In other words, weigh up what matters most to you before taking the plunge.

Align With Your Values

It's important to align your values with any career change you are considering. When making a career switch, prioritise characteristics such as integrity, truthfulness and equity when assessing prospective job chances. Before making a move, ask yourself if this new position will allow you to live out these values in a meaningful way. It may be wise to seek other alternatives if the job doesn't enable you to adhere to your core principles.

Examine the elements that comprise your identity, such as family life, pastimes and inclinations - all of which contribute to establishing your fundamental principles. Explore what kind of job environment would align with your values, lifestyle and culture. This will give you insight into what kind of job would fit best with the type of lifestyle and culture that resonates with your personal priorities.

When researching different career paths consider how they line up with those core values we discussed earlier on; do they reflect them? Does this new role offer challenges where you can use skillsets and knowledge gained from previous experiences? Will it provide opportunities for growth both professionally and personally? Can it support financial stability while allowing flexibility for other aspects of life outside work? All these factors should play a part in helping decide if this is indeed the right move for now or not.

Finally, remember that small steps count too. Don't feel overwhelmed by having to take giant leaps towards achieving goals; focus on taking one step at a time so progress doesn't seem daunting but rather manageable and achievable instead. Start off by volunteering within organisations related to potential careers - even if only temporarily - just to get familiarised with certain roles before committing full-time. Network more often than usual (online and offline) since there may be contacts available who could potentially lead onto other openings etc. In essence, start building bridges towards fulfilling ambitions without losing sight of original objectives.

Aligning with your core values can guarantee that the choices and deeds you make will be in agreement with what is meaningful to you. Unearthing your enthusiasm and fascinations will help to direct those choices so they exemplify what you are and where you want to go.

Key Takeaway: Align your values and ambitions with potential career opportunities to ensure the best fit for you. Take small steps towards achieving goals by volunteering, networking, and getting familiarised with different roles before committing full-time. Build bridges rather than take giant leaps so progress is achievable without losing sight of original objectives.

Identify Your Passions and Interests

Identifying your passions and interests is the initial step in transitioning to a new career. Once you recognise your motivations and inclinations, it can assist in narrowing down potential job paths that could be suitable for you.

Think about activities that bring you joy. What do you love doing? It could be anything from playing music or painting to cooking or reading books. Consider topics that fascinate you - science, history, art, philosophy – whatever draws your attention and makes time fly by when exploring them. And don’t forget causes that are important to you – social justice issues, environmental concerns, etc., as these can provide additional clues into potential career paths.

Once you've pinpointed your inclinations and fascinations, spend some time exploring diverse vocations associated with those interests to make sure they match up with what drives and enthrals you on a daily basis. For example if one of your interests is animals then look into jobs like zookeeper or veterinarian technician which would give an opportunity to work with animals every day. Or if one of your passions is teaching then consider becoming a tutor or professor at a local college where there will be plenty of opportunities for growth within the field while still having the chance to share knowledge with others.

Once you've pinpointed your passions and hobbies, delve into the specifics of potential vocations. Research different jobs related to those areas of interest that would be a good fit for what motivates and excites you on a daily basis. 

For instance, if one of your interests is animals then explore roles such as zookeeper or veterinarian technician which could provide an opportunity to work with animals every day. Or if teaching is one of your passions consider becoming a tutor or professor at a local college where there are ample opportunities for growth within the field while still having the chance to impart knowledge onto others. 

It's also essential not just think about what type of job makes sense but whether it aligns with other elements in life like location (e.g., working remotely versus in-person), salary range (are resources available?), hours required (can I balance my commitments outside work?), etc.

Doing this kind of assessment up front will save effort later on down the line because it filters out roles/careers which may not fulfil all criteria necessary for success both professionally and personally speaking.

Finally, remember, finding something new doesn't mean starting from scratch - use transferable skills gained from previous positions and experiences which could help bridge gaps between industries and create unique pathways forward towards achieving desired goals. With careful consideration and planning, along with understanding personal strengths and weaknesses, this should set anyone up nicely on their way towards transitioning into their dream job or career path.

Uncovering your inclinations and fascinations is a critical initial move in pinpointing the career that best fits you. With this knowledge, it's time to start researching different paths available to find a suitable job or profession for yourself.

Key Takeaway: The key to a successful career change is identifying your passions and interests, researching different jobs related to those areas that fit with what motivates you, and assessing if it aligns with other elements of life. Don't forget the importance of leveraging transferable skills - this will give you an edge in making the leap from one job or industry to another.

Research Different Career Paths

Before taking the plunge into a career, it is beneficial to gain knowledge about its particulars such as job descriptions, salary ranges, educational requirements and other key factors. Investigating job duties, wages, educational qualifications and other factors influencing your choice is essential when deciding on a career.

For someone aiming to break into finance, it is essential that they familiarise themselves with the qualifications and credentials required for various roles in the field. Before taking any steps towards this goal, they should research what qualifications are needed for various positions within the industry. This could include things like obtaining certifications or completing specific courses of study. Having this information can enable them to make sound decisions on which route is best suited for their objectives and the extent of effort they must exert in order to accomplish them.

Another important factor to consider when researching potential careers is salary range. Many jobs have salaries that vary depending on experience level and location – so it’s worth looking into what kind of pay you might expect from different roles before committing yourself too deeply down one particular route.

It’s also wise to look at job availability when exploring potential career paths – as certain industries may be more competitive than others when it comes to securing employment opportunities after graduation or training completion. A good way of doing this is by talking with people already working within the field; getting insights from those who have gone through similar processes can provide invaluable guidance on what routes are most likely (or least likely)to lead you towards success.

Ultimately, don't neglect the vast amount of web-based material that can be used to research potential occupations - from professional networks to specialised blogs. These can help give further insight into whether a particular role would be suitable for you or not and provide invaluable guidance on what routes are most likely (or least likely)to lead you towards success.

Investigating various professional paths is an essential step in discovering a role that aligns with your aptitudes and inclinations. Attempting minor advances towards your aim can aid you in achieving success without feeling overwhelmed or disheartened.

Key Takeaway: Do your due diligence when considering a career change and make sure to weigh all the factors, such as educational requirements, salary range, job availability and resources available online. Researching thoroughly is key to finding success in whatever field you choose - so don't be afraid to get creative with how you seek out information.

Take Small Steps Towards Your Goal

Feeling overwhelmed when attempting to switch professions is a common occurrence. To ensure you don't become exhausted or abandon your aim prematurely, it is advisable to move ahead with baby steps towards accomplishing it. To begin your career transition, consider taking the following measures:

Gain Experience:

Consider internships, volunteer work, and part-time jobs related to your desired field. Gaining hands-on experience in the field you're targeting is a great way to demonstrate your commitment and build relevant skills.

Network:

Make connections with people in the industry by attending networking events or joining online communities of professionals in similar fields. You never know who might be able to offer advice or open doors for you down the line.

Take Classes:

Take classes at local colleges, universities, or even through online courses if necessary. Gaining in-depth knowledge of your desired field can give you an advantage over other applicants when seeking employment. Staying motivated as you progress towards your desired objective is an excellent way to keep yourself going.

Keep in mind that progress takes time; don't expect too much from yourself immediately. Making a career change takes time and effort but with patience and dedication anything is possible.

"Take small steps to make your career change. Gain experience, network, take classes - with patience and dedication anything is possible." #careerchange #professionaldevelopment Click to Tweet
Uncover how to change your career today with our quick assessment quiz even if you don't know where to start - TRY PATHFINDER NOW

Conclusion

Ultimately, the answer to “should I do with my life” is up to you. Moving ahead in small increments may help you to gain clarity and assurance when making decisions. Prioritising what matters most, aligning with your values, and researching different career paths are all important considerations when considering a career change or transition. 

By understanding yourself better and being open to exploring new opportunities that match both your passions and interests as well as potential financial rewards will enable you make an informed choice about which direction best suits you for long-term success.

Author: Naomi Rothwell-Boyd

Naomi is the founder of Tribe And Seek and an EMCC and CIPD accredited career coach specialising in career change. 

Her career advice comes from her work alongside ex-olympic athletes supporting corporate clients like Kraft Heinz, and creating leadership courses at the Duke Of Edinburgh's Award.

She also left a previous career in international development consulting behind, where she led UK corporate fundraising at Habitat For Humanity.

Written by

Naomi Rothwell-Boyd

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