A Linear Career Path?

In my growing up years, I only knew one career path and that is linear. Everyone around seemed to commit themselves to this one that I had to as well. But each time, I have chosen a path, I become restless and although I was very good at what I was doing, the restlessness bugs me. It turns out that for me, the linear path is not the way. I found out from Barbara Sher that I was a scanner. No wonder, I put all my energy into searching what the career is for me but somehow, I just can't choose. I chose only to find myself very unhappy. After reading sher's Book, Refuse to Choose, I now accept that I don't have to pursue a linear path. I can pursue several avenues. I am now relaxed and happy and just enjoy the many interests I have.

Look closely at where you are now in your career path

It will be silly to change when you are about to retire unless you want to build a job after retirement.

Look closely at where you are at now. You don't live in a vacuum where you can just move anytime you want. There are responsibilities and obligations. Be realistic. Your awareness of your current playing field will give you an idea of what risks you can take without hurting other people or reneging on your responsibilities.

Sometimes, things look bleak when you are in a dead end job doing the intellectual equivalent of flipping burgers. So, try to think. This is the perfect transition point. This is when you take charge of your life and start moving to things you want to do! Look around you. Where are the opportunities? Don't just look....see. It takes effort. Look at other jobs in your office or plant. Look at your hobbies. Look and think.

Look for cluster of jobs when you do your search

Do your research. Once you have established your areas of strengths and interests, it is time to know the field where these strengths and interests point to. Know the industry involved, the jobs that are available, the training required. Sometimes, you may need to get special training to move from where you are to the industry you prefer. If you are just going into college or university, you are lucky that you can adjust quickly even though you are cursed with the need to MAKE a DECISION. Look for a cluster of jobs rather than just one job title so you keep increasing real options.

For career success, dig deep

It is time to know the field where your strengths and interests point to. Know it extremely well.Make yourself the go to person in that area. Know the industry involved, the jobs that are available, the training required. Is certification required? If it is, start preparing yourself and get that certification.

Sometimes, you may need to get special training to move from where you are to the industry you prefer. If you are just going into college or university, you are lucky that you can adjust quickly. Look for a cluster of jobs rather than just one job title so you keep increasing real options.

How to Make Ten Thousand Mistakes and Keep Going

For many of us, failures are crippling. Even the fear of failure can freeze us like a rabbit in the headlights. And yet, when you look at the lives of many great people, you almost always read of the failures that marked their lives and the twisting of destiny to turn these disasters into success. With luck, this starts you thinking of your own catastrophes! Good. Pick them apart. Don't wallow in them like a piggy in mud. Scratch at them to see what happened and what you can learn. Pain avoidance says, "Close that door now!" But if you've had the agony and learned nothing it's like paying the price and not getting anything in return. So, we just let the status quo be. At least, there is comfort in stability. But as time goes on, you start losing confidence to do anything. The cocoon thickens. Life is passing you by but you are safe. You're really not living, jut serving time. Not a great scenario.

It's time to deal with failure. Part of the hand we are dealt in life is the failure card. Only those who have stopped living will not commit mistakes. Everyday will be laced with little mess-ups as we mistakenly play that card. And, without trying to sound like a marine sergeant, "it ain't how far ya fall...it's how fast ya get up!" Here are some tips to keep going...


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Your Dream Career?

Upon waking up one morning, you were absolutely and forever convinced that you want to be your country's first woman president. Then the next moment, a fog creeps in and the certainty leaked away like water in your hand. Fear?.... perhaps. Lack of self-confidence? Maybe. Or, just pure ignorance in not knowing the choices you might have and you shift into limbo. Ke garne as the Nepalis would say. What to do?

Well, you mat dream of winning the lottery and retiring at 16. Or fantasize the unknown rich Uncle's will.  Well, not helpful. Your problem is how to identify from the Disney World of choices the one career that will truly engage your mind and soul. And if you do the choosing well, a career can be the path to real happiness and a feeling of usefulness in life.

What Career is Best for You?

For some, their best career choice is clear ever since they were kids. For others, this may not be true. For you, your the best career choice may only appear after a series of frustrating jobs. Or, you may outgrow the career you thought was just right for you. As you learn and experience more, you find other career directions you never even thought existed. The world is changing rapidly and and new careers are invented or reinvented. If you are open to change, opportunities come from the most unexpected of places. Personal growth is the most exciting thing about being human and as you grow, new career opportunities open up.

Hold the Mirror of Who You Are

Assess yourself. Stare in your mental mirror. This is truth time! You may also get help from career centers and through tests and interviews may be able to establish your areas of strengths as well as your preferences. Google careers and check out the range of options. Be provoked by new ideas. In the end, however, you need to spend some time with yourself and make your own choice. The key is to start digging and try to link what sounds interesting to the massive list of opportunities. Experience will refine your choice over time. So, choose and go for it. If in the course of your doing something, it becomes clearer to you that you are being led down other paths, make the adjustment immediately. Procrastination just buries you in canyons of frustration and inertia. Hold the mirror of who you are against the reality of what you may want to be.


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