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Finding clarity in your career journey is as tricky as solving a puzzle without all the pieces. Many are struggling to even get close to that. They are unsure of which direction to take or how to kickstart their journey toward fulfilling work.
Some have so many different ideas, unable to pinpoint which one to pursue. They’re multi-passionte, but they don’t know which one would be best to focus time and energy on.
Others struggle to come up with ideas when thinking about what they want to do for work. They often say, “I don’t know what I want.” Unfortunately, many of these people don’t give themselves time or space to figure out what they really want.
The result? Getting stuck in overthinking, called analysis paralysis. They feel like they can’t move forward and keep feeling stuck.
The reason they don’t take action and feel stuck is because they’re scared. They’re afraid of making mistakes, of going down the wrong path, and wasting time and money. So, they stay stuck, too afraid to try in case they fail.
That’s why I encourage my clients to take small steps forward to test your career.
Taking the First Step: Unlocking Career Clarity
These steps act like little experiments for your career. They help you discover what you enjoy doing and which career direction suits you best, without eating up too much of your time or money.
By taking these intentional steps, you’ll:
- Gain clarity on what you truly want from your career.
- Build confidence in your chosen path.
- Break free from the paralysis of indecision and start making real progress.
Here are some career experiments you could try:
- Informational Interviews: Chat with people working in fields that interest you. Learn about their career paths and daily tasks to see if it aligns with your interests.
- Volunteering or Internships: Get hands-on experience in a field you’re curious about. This will give you insight into the work environment and help you test your skills.
- Short-term Training Courses: Enroll in online courses or workshops to learn relevant skills.
- Project Work: Start a project or take on freelance assignments in an area you want to explore.
- Networking Events: Attend industry evetny to meet professionals and learn about different career paths. Networking can open up new opportunities and offer valuable advice.
- Career Counseling: Seek guidance from career counselors or coaches to clarify your goals and develop a plan tailored to your strengths and values