69
I don't know what to do
Ever felt like there are so many things you want to try, you don't really know what you want to do as a grown up? I am currently feeling it right now. My current job I'm kind of blase. I mean it's job and I get paid well, but I'm not sure if it's really my passion any more. I've been wanting to try UX Design, UI/UX Engineer, Personal Training, going back to school to become a Dietitian and even Bookkeeping. I just want to ask how do you find a passion again when you are in a rut? And if you are between a bunch of ideas, how do you decide? Any thoughts and advice are much appreciated! :)
Leiba Kahan
60
09/27/20 at 3:49PM UTC
hi you are not alone, I'm in the same boat... have been in physical therapy 21 years, getting physically and mentally tired of physical and mental demands of it. have been taking classes hoping to spark a new career direction...
Kelley Shields, Career & Professional Development CoachWork shouldn't be a 4-letter word.
98
08/27/20 at 2:52PM UTC
It sounds like it might be really beneficial for you to get back in touch with what brings you joy, with what is a 'yes' for you - outside of work, not just at work. It is so easy for that to get disconnected, especially when you're spending all day, every day at something that isn't bringing you that energizing joy. Is there anything that does absolutely bring you joy, make you feel energized, or feel like it's a "hell yes" for you? Try to pay attention and see. Notice what's going on in your body in those moments - what does it feel like for something to be a "hell yes, I love this" for you? (A meditation practice, even 5 minutes a day or most days, can help develop this awareness.) That can help you tune in to what really resonates with you and will really be right for you.
In terms of "how do you choose," there are several factors that it's really good to look at to help you figure out what's going to be right for you as an individual. Those include your core values, strengths, interests, personality, and lifestyle needs - and what particular "cocktail" of those ingredients is what's right for you. The Admin for this group has a great free e-book on this available on her website, www.getcareerclarity.com and will have a "book book" coming out later this year I believe. (Disclaimer - I'm a coach and work with her program because I think it is so awesome!)
Hope this is helpful!! Happy to provide any other thoughts as you sort through this.
Lynne CoganCareer Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
871
08/14/20 at 8:51PM UTC
Take courses. Have informational interviews. Shadow someone at work. Volunteer. Take a temp assignment that will provide some experience in that field.
You might also discover that you aren't falling in love with doing certain skills. Instead, you might find yourself attracted to a specific cause or industry. Or you might have a desire to work with someone specific.
In other words: Play. Explore. Just as though you were a kid.
Christina Weber
30
08/13/20 at 9:33PM UTC
I've been on this journey myself since late last year. It's easy to get stuck in the day to day of your job and not stop and reflect "is this really what I want to be doing?" I found some inspiration in the books "Limitless" and "Insights" on gaining clarity around my values and my purpose. This might help as well from the book “Nine Lies About Work” (which I haven't read, but found this excerpt):
For a full week, carry a notepad at all times. Draw a line down the center of a page and label one column “Love” and the other “Loathe.” Whenever you perform a task, be mindful of how it makes you feel. Are you excited about it? Do you look forward to it? Does time fly when you’re doing it? Or did you procrastinate, dreading every moment and feeling drained by the time you’re done? Understand what it is that lights you up. Understand what you run toward. Understand where you are at your most energetic, your most creative, your most alive, and then volunteer for that more and more and more,”.
Good luck!
Rebecca KerrTechnical Product Analyst at UPMC Enterprises
69
08/14/20 at 1:58PM UTC
Thank you so much for the advice I'll definitely check out those book recommendations!
