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How About a GPS for Your Life?

by Career Changer on March 20, 2008 11:41 AM

Based on the recent conversations I’ve had with friends and acquaintances, a lot of people want to make a change in the work they’re doing. Most of them have said that they want to do something new, they just don’t know what. I can’t totally identify with that since I’ve always known I wanted to be a writer. However, I have ideas about other things I’d like to try as well, and I’m not always sure which of those things I should invest time in doing. I wish I could get some confirmation beforehand that the direction I want to go in will ultimately be rewarding. Sometimes I feel anxious that I’ll waste time going in too many directions – and never find the “right” one. Though I’ve learned there is no “right” one, that nagging idea won’t completely go away.

Looking back on what I’ve accomplished, I know that if I hadn’t tried different things, I wouldn’t have the knowledge I have now. I’m learning to trust my instincts, but it’s not easy. Perhaps it’s the conditioning that we receive that says that outside validation is more important than “gut” feelings. I just wonder if more people felt they could trust the feeling that was leading them to try something new, would there be less procrastination and anxiety? If we weren’t so afraid to fail or look ridiculous, would we feel free to try more new things?


Comments (1)

Hello Career Changer,

Your final paragraph really speaks to me! In particular, these 2 sentences:

"I’m learning to trust my instincts, but it’s not easy. Perhaps it’s the conditioning that we receive that says that outside validation is more important than “gut” feelings."

It's been my experience over the years that my logic and reasoning muscle has been well exercised in the world of every day corp work (IT, in my case) but when it came to big decisions like changing career, moving countries, getting married - the more emotional, intuitive sinews were listened to but often second guessed! ;-)

Where's the balance? I honestly don't know but as with improving most skills, taking small and manageable steps is a great confidence builder. And you're not betting the farm on these types of outcomes.

For example, choosing from a restaurant/diner menu by picking the FIRST item that catches a casual scan of the entries (set a budget beforehand though!!)

Same idea with building my own business while earning "keep the lights on money" in a day job. The "Big Bang" approach can work for some. I've been less "happy" with that and finally paid attention to the smoke signals of doing so!

regards
Mark McClure

— Posted by Career Enlightenment | April 2, 2008 9:43 AM | Comment Permalink

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