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Career Choices

The right career for you

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:31

In a recent article on Moneyweb, Warren Ingram, shared some points of discussion on choosing the right career. His perspective was a reflective one since he deals with clients at retiring age.

Looking back on their careers, Ingram noted that the happiest retirees where those who usually,

- Specialised in some set of transferable skills;

- Generated income for their organisations or themselves i.e. people who had a greater degree of control over their income generation;

- Leveraged their time to their advantage, leaving some room for interests outside of work and career;

- Enjoyed the line of work that they made a career in;

- Aimed to achieve broader objectives or goals i.e. their sole focus was not on pure money-making but a bigger contribution to society; and

- Persevered in their careers through both the good and bad times.

Ingram concluded by emphasising the need for people to gather as much information as possible over and above the hard work that was required to make a success of any career.

The question then becomes; how does one make the right career choice? Doreen Banaszak, author on www.selfgrowth.com offers ten steps to get closer to a sound career choice.

She cautions that before considering these ten steps, it is vital to define one’s values and definition of personal freedom to identify a career that supports these principles.

1. Identify the way you feel in the present moment. Consider the circumstances that have brought you to feel this way. Even if you feel anxious or confused, release these emotions for the time being and move on to step 2.

2. Identify the best possible outcome for your working life. Consider answering this question with the phrase, “If time/money was of no concern, I would…”

3. What are all of your options/choices? Consult others for additional advice and suggestions. Prioritise these according to what is most valuable to you.

4. Test each option against your values and definition of personal freedom. Which options are in alignment? Test each remaining option against your best possible outcome in Q2. Which choices are in alignment? Cross out the options that are not a match.

5. Look for signs and messages. Believe in the power of synchronicity. The universe will give you messages or signs to point you in the right direction, if you take the time to notice.

6. Make your choice by asking yourself, what it would cost you if you didn’t follow through. This will allow you to identify your genuine feelings about your choice.

7. Take full responsibility for the choice that you have made by accepting any and all outcomes. Energy spent on second-guessing yourself or regretting choices, is energy wasted.

8. Fear can present an obstacle in following through on your choice. If your choice affects others, deliver it with sensitivity and compassion for their feelings.

9. Be aware that your choice is time bound. You should constantly learn from the choices made.

10. Re-evaluate this process periodically. If you do not feel comfortable with your choice, go back and evaluate your other options. These will change with time.

Whatever process one follows in choosing a career, it is increasingly evident that the more informed choices lead to greater job satisfaction and personal fulfilment.

Reference: Warren Ingram, Moneyweb

Career advice you didn't get at school

Reference: Doreen Banaszak, Self-Growth

10 Steps to choose the right career