Are you thinking about starting a new career? Whether you’re finishing up your year in high school, or if you’re tired of working in a dead-end job, embarking on a new career might be the answer.
We all want a career that fulfills all our dreams and aspirations. However, when we decide on any career that ‘looks/appears’ awesome, we think it’s the best choice made. When we prepare for the same and start building dreams on it, our confidence increases at a phenomenal level. We also have a few role models who are successful in their careers. We start looking forward to a similar path. Of course, there is nothing wrong with it.
The first thing that we do is start searching for relevant courses. We do the course and we start feeling good about it. There comes a moment where when u start living that path, you start to question yourself about the choices and everything around you.
The parameters which were there while choosing a career are no longer relevant to your current state of mind. The courses you chose suddenly becomes waste of time, money, and resources. It calls for mental health challenges such as anxiety, confusion, self-doubt, etc.
Here are 3 mistakes to avoid when you want to plan your career.
- Choosing course before the ultimate goal
Most of the time, after 10th, 12th, graduation, or during job change, we typically start searching for a course without clarity of the ultimate goal of our life. Instead of choosing a course before the goal. Decide on the ultimate goal you want to achieve and then choose the course accordingly.
- Assuming your potential based on what you know
We often underestimate our potential based on information we know. This is another mistake. Just because you don’t have information about a particular skill or job, it doesn’t mean you cannot do it. When we assume our potential, we underestimate our capability too.
- Choosing a career without self-awareness
We all have a different set of values that defines what is more important to us. When we are not aware of our core values, we tend to take a decision only to get out of something. For eg: you change jobs to get out of your current job. You choose a job to get out of stagnancy. You start doing courses to get out of the house. Choose awareness w.r.t. your core values. Think of your long-term interests, motivators, and your definition of living a meaningful life.
When you take career decisions with clarity of goal, potential, and awareness, you tend to take authentic and right decisions for your career.
Remember, it’s not about having a perfect career. It’s about having the right one where you grow and shine every day
Its all about setting goals in life and this habit should be developed from childhood. Mostly everyone will give you vague reply while asking their goal. Career planning is also part of it and this should be in align with your passion over and above your dream!
Thank you for insightful reflection.
It’s common to agonize over a career choice, even when your education, skills, and experience point you in single direction. But, once you’ve gotten all of your options on the table, it’s important to make an informed decision.
Agree 🙂
Very true.. both students as well as experienced people commit these mistakes while looking for lucrative career opportunities.
One must introspect and do the SWOT analysis while planning career moves. It is important to follow the passion.. work will then become pleasure. It’s not all about the destination, but enjoying the journey is key to happiness.
Thank you so much for insightful reflection.
Goals change, develop, mature – just like people. An ultimate goal can prove be a myth for many, because you yourself change along the path, and with it, your priorities, ambitions and aspirations too. What was considered an ultimate goal a few years ago can cease to be so. Self awareness definitely helps. The best way to understand your inclinations and capabilities is to “do” things, not to join courses. Doing things with your hands, running small home businesses even as children, working as interns, or in shops of relatives can give immense amount of learning and self insight that no course can offer 😊
Three is not enough, to count upon, we try to believe in others, and end up in not believing ourselves.
Thank you for adding to the list:-)
I am sure each one of us will have unique mistakes 🙂