Hello everyone! I need as much womanly advice as I can get right now.

13 Comments

1. Zeecil KimmelJanuary 21,2026 at 1:39PM UTC

   There is a great Japanese idea called "Ikigai." It is the idea of finding your purpose and using it to find work that would be meaningful. I suggest you Google it and see if that helps, at least give you some more ideas.

2. SheilaJanuary 21,2026 at 1:55PM UTC

   Executive Assistant or Chief of staff?

   Lucy Brazier’s award-winning Modern-Day Assistant course is designed for a profession that has outgrown its old definition. Taking place online at the start of February, it supports Assistants who know their role has evolved and are ready to evolve with it. The programme builds strategic confidence, leadership presence, and influence at the table, focusing on impact rather than busyness.

   You’ll leave with the tools to:

   Build a trusted, strategic partnership with your executive

   Communicate with influence and authority across the business

   Harness AI and automation to increase your value

   Manage change, projects, and priorities with precision

   Strengthen resilience, confidence, and leadership presence

   Thousands of assistants around the world have called this course career-defining.

   Now it’s your turn.

   ? Find out more and view all 2026 dates here >>>

   The Modern Day Assistant Archives - Executive Support Media

3. InterestingJanuary 21,2026 at 2:58PM UTC

   Reach out to Sarah Young at Zing Collaborative - she is a wonderful career and inspirational coach! I completely recommend her! I had the pleasure of attending one of her inspirational sessions and walked away filled with new inspired energy and fresh outlook. She wrote a book called Expansive Impact and writes a blog every Friday that you can subscribe to for FREE - yes FREE that I get tidbits from every Friday and readers can contribute tidbits to. I really feel you could get a lot of inspiration from her energy and inspiration in many ways! I highly recommend her and you may just meet someone through her site who can use someone with your skill set - you just sound like you need a little inspiration - that's normal for us all at some point - don't give up - now is the chance to reset and choose a new path if you want - there is a wide world of choices out there in life - got for it!

   Email her at: sarah@zingcollaborative.com and ask to be added to her Friday Favorites Blog - you will find it inspiration on many levels! Good luck young lady - you've got this!

4. Susan FarringtonJanuary 22,2026 at 1:51AM UTC

   Have you considered teaching? I turned my art degree into becoming an art teacher through alternative certification. Not sure what state you are in and I can only speak for Texas, but the process and time were easy and quick. While public education has gotten a bad rap of late I absolutely love teaching young minds to show their creativity! Also I know pay is not good in some states but Texas has a decent pay scale. Best of luck in whatever you choose!

5. LizJanuary 22,2026 at 1:35PM UTC

   What are the tasks, and activities that have brought you a sense of fulfillment? What are the parts of a role that bring you joy? Start there. You've listed here some of the things you can do... what are the things you LOVE to do? Good luck!

6. Dena ButtenhoffJanuary 22,2026 at 2:40PM UTC

   I don't know what region you are in or why that is a limiting factor but you seem passionate about becoming a detective of sorts. Follow those qualities that light you up... great read on people and fast problem solving mindset to see what other jobs might utilize these wonderful skills.

7. AnonymousJanuary 22,2026 at 3:06PM UTC

   I'm not great at the business management aspect of things, however, I'm great at providing bookkeeping services to my clients as a small business owner. However, I have a great free business adviser through the SBDC in my area that works with small business owners that need some help in areas that they are weaker at or need some help in learning. My business adviser is helping me with learning things like marketing, advertising, business administration (mostly in areas that we have determined that I'm weaker in, some we found that I happen to be remarkably great at doing).

   Becoming self-employed and opening my own bookkeeping firm as it's sole employee, was never something that I planned on doing while I was younger. However, it has allowed me to have the control over my own schedule, was has been hugely important and needed as my husband is no longer able to drive or work, which means I'm currently taking him to all of his appointments. So, for me working for myself has been hugely helpful, as I'm able to adjust my daily schedule as needed. My clients are awesome and are very understanding about my not always being able to answer them right away but do know that I answer them as soon as I reasonably can.

   Self-employment is always a great way to go for someone like yourself with the proper support of course to figure out what area or areas you should think about going into,

8. AnaJanuary 22,2026 at 3:13PM UTC

   sometimes, you may find inspiration in your childhood memories. What had been your passion as a child could be a starting point to think what you want to pursue in the future.

9. Bala RamakrishnanJanuary 22,2026 at 9:11PM UTC

   IF You Are Living In Chicago, Please Reach Out to Me. I Will Try And Be Of Assistance...

10. Barb HansenJanuary 23,2026 at 12:46PM UTC

    The book What Color Is Your Parachute? may really help you find your next path.

    It’s been around for decades and is constantly updated, with different versions for people at different life stages (students, career changers, retirees, etc.). You can find it at your local library, as an audiobook, or through any online bookseller.

    It’s a great resource for people who know they can’t keep doing what they’ve been doing, but aren’t sure what should come next. I used it about 25 years ago when I had to leave a career I thought I would be in for life, and it helped me reframe my skills, values, and options in a practical way.

    If you want something more immediate, you could even ask ChatGPT or Gemini to “give me career change advice using the framework from Richard Bolles’ What Color Is Your Parachute?” It won’t replace the book, but it can help you start thinking in a more structured way.

    You’re not in a box: you’re just between chapters. Good luck! :)

11. Elizabeth LaurieJanuary 23,2026 at 2:48PM UTC

    This was me in my 20s. Lots of people gave me advice, quizzes to take, and books to read. Much of it was useless (What Color is Your Parachute? did nothing for me and was the constant refrain from everyone I talked to). I realized that I was looking for a perfect career path, which is absurd because it doesn't exist. I had to let go of the idea that I had to choose forever right now. Once I did that, I figured it out (I went to law school and became a government employee, and have had at least six largely different jobs in the government since I started).

    One book that helped me see this (I know, I know, I said book recs were annoying. . .) is Po Bronson's "What Should I Do with My Life?: The True Story of People Who Answered the Ultimate Question." Many people in this book explained the meandering routes to how they got to "the job" (you know, the one that makes them happy/fulfilled/pays the bills/etc.). It made me realize that choosing the next step is all I had to do and the rest would follow. Hope it helps.

12. AnonymousJanuary 23,2026 at 5:50PM UTC

    My suggestion?

    Get a job. Go to a temp agency and see if you can find a job doing something that will use your stills, expeically the language skills as they are in dire need at this time.

    A job doens't need to be your career for 30 years, it can just be a place to start. Doing temp jobs can also expose you to different industries, companies and work styles that might help you narrow your field of interest.

    I was a fashion merchandsing major, I left school and worked for a high-end retail chain for 3+ years and reazlied I didn't want to live that lifestyle (weekends, nights, low pay) and took a job as a Administrative Assitant working for a tech retalier. 30 years later, I have had an amazing career, traveled around the world, been involved in global events that I never could have dreamed of... Start with a job, it'll give you purpose and especially in a new area, give you a chance to build a network outside of family & friends.

    Good luck!

13. AnonymousFebruary 4,2026 at 2:38PM UTC

    Suzy Welch just published a book Becoming You- you might enjoy it! Actionable items and tests to uncover what might be valuable for you! One is to take a career aptitude test.

    I struggled with this in my 20s and 30s then I let it go- I am settled with what I do and how it fits into my life- I work in learning and development- took a circuitous route here.

    my free advice- for what it is worth-

    Don’t put pressure on yourself to find this “passion.”

    Find ways to feed your soul and then find a job that pays the bills- separate things- Follow your interests- Maybe they come together and maybe they won’t. You will be surprised what shakes out when you follow your interests and detach from these ideas that “you need to have this life passion.” Collect experiences -

    I found I get more satisfaction from collecting experiences, work or otherwise, and connecting people. I actually was hired for a position with the boss saying, I can tell you can wear many hats, that is what this role needs.”

    warning: I am of the mind set you need to enjoy your life, not work your life away -time is the most valuable resource and you never know how much you have- I found a career that pays my bills and for my travel and a company that allows me a decent amount of freedom. If you want to be ridiculously wealthy- don’t listen to me - I am just comfortable and happy.

    •