Why is it that so many people of my generation have no clue what they want to do with their lives? I can't stress enough how many people I know, between the ages of 30 and 35, who have absolutely no clue what kind of career they would actually like to be doing.
When I was growing up, I always thought I would be a lawyer. I'm a debater and most people in my life encouraged me in that direction...but when it came down to writing the LSATS and actually processing the whole idea of what it would truly mean to be a successful lawyer, it no longer seemed to be the right fit for me. Next was public relations. Although to this day it is probably one of the better fits for me, I simply could not get on the PR band wagon. The other students were way too excited about having a career, which at times is about deceiving the public, and I just couldn't get on board. From there, I briefly considered teaching, but I've had too many bad teachers to know how important loving teaching is...and I would have been doing it for the wrong reasons. After that, I considered interior design. I definitely have an interest there, and maybe even a little talent, but it's not for me as a career. My most recent efforts were in Holistic Nutrition. I still find this incredibly interesting and very valuable, but I can't decide in what capacity I want to work with it.
See how indecisive I am?! I assure you that I am not alone. Were we given too many options growing up? Did being told "you can do anything you set your mind to" give us unrealistic expectations of ourselves and simply confuse us further?
I like to write, to plan and be my own boss. Where does that leave me exactly? Unemployed, writing a blog and occasionally getting published in the "letters to the editor" section of the local paper. There must be more out there for me... Now to figure out what exactly it is!
In a random sample of 5 of my friends; 1-hairdresser turned Air Force, 2-teacher turned Stay-at-home-Mom, 3-nutritionist turned esthetician, 4-Stay-at-hom-Mom turned aerobic instructor, 5-teacher turned call centre staff. We're all over the place and most of us are still searching for the "right" career or the next big lottery win.
Simpler were the times when people were told what career they would have and then they would work that job for the rest of their able days. No one should have to settle, but I'm thinking my advice to myself at this point is "if it pays more than the last job and you're not sacrificing your morals, yourself or your family, take the job!"
Given that I'm in a career that at best is sporadic, I am of the firm belief that we actually don't always choose what we do, but rather, it chooses us. I have tried numerous times to seek out other ventures that are much more secure than being in the entertainment industry, and just at the point where I feel I'm ready to make that change, a new opportunity presents itself, keeping me right where I am.
ReplyDeleteI have many friends who are much more financially secure than I am, but despise what they do. I look at them and think "Do I really want to live like that?" My answer "No That's not really living" Life is short. I want to enjoy what I do, creat value along the way, have wonderful life experiences and yes, I absolutely want that financial security. Having said that...although my income is not huge. I do okay and do not suffer. So my answer is this. Do what moves you and create value along the way. It is not un common in this day and age for people to switch careers two or three times. In simpler times people also drank more, smoked more, were generally not as fit as we are today. Simpler times obviously does not translate into a better period in history. So...do what you love, money will come, and if it changes two or three times...cool!