Finding Clarity Amidst Career Uncertainty: A Personal Journey

About a decade ago, I found myself at a crossroads, questioning if my current career path truly resonated with my passions and purpose. While certain aspects of my job brought me joy, a sense of feeling lost lingered. It took me a few years to discover my calling as a coach and build the business I have today. Through my journey and coaching others, I've learned valuable lessons about what not to do when facing career uncertainty. And I’ve also learned what to do instead to gain clarity.

What Not to Do When You Feel Lost

Don't Assume There's a "Right" Job

Dispel the myth that there's a single correct career path. Successful individuals often navigate through diverse roles and organizations, embracing a winding journey.

Avoid Job Board Overindulgence

While job hunting is crucial, incessantly scanning job boards can lead to a negative spiral, diminishing your confidence. I often advise clients to pause on a job search until they've engaged in a certain amount of self-reflection to become clearer about their goals.

Don't Overstress On Your Skills

While skills are essential, don't limit yourself by fixating on specific qualifications. This rule also extends to getting too fixated on having certain knowledge. Your talents can enable you to explore creative ways to position yourself for roles beyond your perceived skill set.

What to Do When You Feel Lost

As you’ve seen, while there are things not to do, there are clear steps to help you gain more clarity.

Realize you aren’t alone

Recognize that feeling adrift in your career is normal in today's dynamic workplace. Grant yourself the space to explore without undue pressure. In fact, you might be surprised to know that you are literally surrounded by people who also don’t know where they are headed.

Identify Energizing Activities

Pay attention to activities that bring you joy and energy throughout your day. Focus on how you like to work rather than what you know. This is less about looking at your full job and more about noticing the small activities of your day that bring you a lift—collaborating with a colleague, diving into a research project, solving a problem, or having an opportunity to speak before a group.

Embrace Introspection

Explore your primary interests and core values. Values are beliefs that influence how you live your life. They help you decide and discover roles that align with your professional or personal goals. Taking assessments like Gallup StrengthsFinder and VIA Character on Strengths can provide insights into your natural talents.

Reflect on Lifestyle Priorities

Consider your current life priorities, including work hours, remote work possibilities, salary, commuting time, management style, and healthcare needs. These factors play a crucial role in finding a fulfilling career and a life of well-being.

Engage in Meaningful Conversations

Connect with people for genuine conversations that provide valuable insights and perspectives. You can uncover new ideas and opportunities through conversation more effectively than sitting in your head. This isn’t necessarily networking but making connections to gain insights and reflections.

Be a Detective, Not a Job Hunter

Before applying for jobs or setting specific goals, define your target role by understanding the activities where you thrive. Focus on how you go about your work, rather than getting swayed by job titles or descriptions. Thinking about your target role means figuring out the kinds of activities at work where you thrive most or what lights you up. More and more, we understand that what drives people most are found in how they go about their work: how they connect and influence people, the way they process information and advance thinking, the way they take action to get things done and so on. Writing down what you enjoy doing at work or even outside work is far more of a guide for a future role than staring at job descriptions.

Remember, you are the common denominator in your journey. While external input is valuable, prioritize your natural talents and what sets you apart. Moving from uncertainty to clarity is possible, and the pathway you choose matters. Begin your journey by taking these steps to discover your true professional calling.

What's your first step towards clarity? Share your thoughts below.