Stop trying to 'work out' what to do!

Are you wanting to figure it all out? Could you let go of wanting to know exactly what you're going to do, just for now?

At the beginning of my career change journey I spent a lot of time analysing myself to try and 'work out' who I am, how I could fit into the world, what kind of label I could give myself. I can tell you that it didn't get me too far.

As soon as you think you've figured yourself out you realise you've already changed! As humans we're always growing, we're not static monoliths with fixed personalities or interests. So trying to 'work out' who you are will only get you so far. The ‘you’ you discover now may be different six months from now.

It's the same with trying to work out the 'right' new career direction. There's only so much research and analysis can do.

If you are going around and around in your mind trying to 'work out' what to do, here are my two tips:

• Take small actions to try out your ideas
• Let your career emerge organically from the actions you take today (rather than planning too much)

You have to try things out, give things a go, and discover by experience. If you think you have a career option all figured out in your mind, the reality may be completely different. That's why you have to try things out on a small scale. It’s also important to take action towards doing things that will make you happy now, rather than trying to find that one perfect thing that will fulfil you for the next twenty years! As you grow and change, it is likely your career will too.

Instead of thinking too long term, start by developing things on a day by day, week by week basis. Do the next right thing. This is often how good habits and lasting behavioural changes are made. Try things out without putting too much expectation on them to be 'the thing' that you will move into longer term.

Often the things that we end up committing to start out as things we decided to try out just to see, or just for fun. There's no five year plan. For example, when I chose to become vegetarian it was a trial at first, and has now been a ten year lifestyle. Earlier this year I started to take dance classes for fun and it is now my number one passion that I‘m fully committed to.

When you can’t decide what to do, pick one of the options and keep going. By taking action, you’ll know soon enough whether or not you’re headed in the right direction. You'll learn how to improve things, or whether you want to abandon that route and try out something else.

Instead of trying to have things neatly worked out on paper with a rigid plan to stick to, try out a few things that you seem drawn to right now. When you discover the thing(s) that you really enjoy, you will naturally bring more of it into your life and it may evolve into your next career.