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These days, everyone seems to be chasing the “perfect job.” However, that perfect job doesn’t really exist. Even if you’ve ticked all the boxes there comes a moment in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s or even 60s when you stop and think: “Is this really what I want to be doing?”
I’ve been there myself. I found myself in a career that, where every day felt like a cycle of tasks without meaning. I was on a path that didn’t feel right, and I wasn’t being true to myself.
Understanding Career Clarity
The first thing to realize is that there’s no such thing as a forever job. Every position is a stepping stone. It helps you grow, learn, and discover more about yourself. Instead of stressing about finding your “forever career,” focus on the lessons each job teaches you.
Career clarity comes from understanding that your journey isn’t about landing the perfect role, it’s about learning what matters to you. For people who are multi-talented or multi-passionate, this is especially freeing: you don’t have to stick to just one thing!
The idea of a “perfect job” changes over time. What feels ideal today may not fit your goals tomorrow. Rather than chasing an ideal, focus on finding meaning and satisfaction in what you’re doing right now.
Coaching Exercise: Gaining Clarity
Here’s a simple exercise to help you find direction:
Step 1: Reflect on Past Experiences
Take a moment to reflect on your past experiences, both professional and personal.
- What moments or activities have brought you the most fulfillment and joy, and how can you bring more of these into your current role or future career?
Step 2: Gain Career Clarity
- Where are you now in your career?
- Where would you like to be after your next transition?
- What values and interests guide you at work and in your personal life?
- Which parts of your current job feel limiting, and what are you missing that’s important to you?
- If you stopped worrying about finding the “perfect job,” what other paths or opportunities might fit better with what you care about?
Step 3: Define Success
Success doesn’t have one universal definition. Define what success means to you, and define it on your own terms.
- What does success mean to you?
