Career Change Clinic: How do I start identifying what makes me happy?

Careershifter Question: "I've come to realise my career path isn't making me happy. I need out and a new path in life.  I have no idea what I should do instead. I don't know what would make me happy or how to find it.  Where do I start?"

Here is my answer...

There are a number of different approaches to identifying a career that will make you happy

First things first: this is a huge topic, which we cover in more detail in our Guide, Audio Course and London Workshop.

Some exercises for gaining clarity are more cerebral, others are practical, and sometimes you can get clear simply by trying things out.

As a starting point, we have a whole categorised section on How To Identify Your Ideal Career which contains many free articles by career coaches to help guide you. A few suggested starting points are:

• Getting Happy First
• Life Purpose: What's the impact you really want to create with your life?
• Values: Your Internal Compass

Start by identifying what makes you come alive

An exercise you can do right now is to take time to look at the things that you really enjoy doing, rather than looking ‘out there’ for the right job.

This is a process of reflection on things you are currently doing and may have done in the past. Include hobbies and social activities as well as work. This should start to remind you of things you enjoy doing.

Break each activity you enjoy down into components. What and how do you like to enjoy these things? For example, if you enjoy running, how do you like to do it? Alone, with a buddy, with a running club, to music, as meditation, outdoors, in the gym? These ‘hows’ can help you identify your natural inclinations to consider in your career. Using the running example, if I identify that I like to run with others as a bonding experience as well as to be outdoors in nature, then two things that matter to me are sharing experiences with others and being outdoors. These elements I can consider having in my work. You can do this with anything - cooking, talking with friends (what about? How?), writing.

Get really honest about the things that inspire you, that make you curious. Do you have any guilty pleasures or things you wish you had time or money to try out?

Get further support

As well as our free online content, here are further details of the help we offer on this subject:

• If you want more exercises about uncovering your values, the skills you enjoy using, and your desires, check out the Careershifters Guide which has guided exercises you can do.
• Our audio course is also a great way to gain clarity around your career change which you can do at your own pace via a workbook and podcast tutorials.
• If you prefer working with others, we hold workshops in London where you can participate in exercises with career coaches and other career changers. If you would like to be coached over a more substantial period of time, we are also running an 8 week coaching course next year.

Do make the most of the resources we have available on the site and if you feel you need more help, join us for a workshop!

 Do you have a career change question you would like answered? Email me at sab@careershifters.org. I will answer as many as I can and your question may be used anonymously on the site.