How can I decide which career to pursue?

It’s simple.

Recollect the answer to this question that was often hit to you as a child:

What do you want to become when you grow old?

Remember? Great, go on to become that Astronaut, Actor, Pilot, Chef, Dancer and other numerous career options that you wished to pursue back then.

Well, it doesn’t seem to be plausible enough now right?

Forget about when you were 7. A lot of 25+ professionals are in an occupation completely different from what they had planned at the age of 18.

It isn’t that simple you see.

Here’s a video where few professionals talk about the picture they had in mind about a certain field and what it turned out to be.

So the underlying vexing question “How can I decide which career to pursue?”

I don’t think there is any set process through which you can navigate to reach that nirvana point of finally getting enlightened with the answer that 98% of the students and professionals are seeking.

Let’s talk about one of the most underemphasized attribute a human being should develop over time:

Self Awareness — Know Thyself.

I know this is easier said than done. But, Self Awareness is probably one of the most underrated and a pivotal trait that one should possess.

But how do you become self-aware? Well, this isn’t an innate thing that everyone is born with.

Self-awareness is a result of experiments and accidents.

Self-awareness allows people to recognize what things they do best so they can then go hard on those aspects of their life. It also helps you accept your weaknesses. — Gary Vaynerchuk

You feel you are meant to be an entrepreneur? Start a business.

You feel you’re cut out for marketing? Do an internship and put your skills to use.

You feel you write well and writing is something that you’d want to continue for the rest of your life? Start and experiment.

Notice the pattern in the above sentences? Each and every sentence starts with ‘Feel”.

The feeling is nice. You might feel “This is something I am cut out for.” But don’t firm your thoughts until and unless you act on it and see.

Execution is the game. Give your 100 percent. You’ll know for yourself. Assess your will, skill, and motivation and be your own judge.

Most people aren’t certainly sure if they’d want to continue with what they are doing. I am not. And that’s fine. You won’t get it right in the first shot.

Yes, it might be an arduous and a prolonged journey, but once you figure out your strengths, it’s just a matter of tripling down on it.

You start falling in love with the process, you will never have to worry about the result.

If you can’t figure it for yourself, get the help of a career counselor or a mentor. Talk to them, get their recommendations and make a wise choice. If it turns out to be a bad choice in the end, just switch.

As quoted by the famous Harvey Specter of Suits :

What are your choices when someone puts a gun to your head? You take the gun, or you pull out a bigger one. Or, you call their bluff. Or, you do any one of a hundred and forty-six other things.

Well, in this case, that someone is “You”.

Cheers!