You explore and experiment, which is why it takes so long. Most people choose a career when they're 18 years old, often before they've had a chance to discover who they are. They pick something they have no experience in, hoping it will work out in the long term. Sometimes, it does, and sometimes, it doesn't.
When you choose your second or third career, you can be a lot more intentional. You're more mature and know what you like and don't like. The second career can be a much more fulfilling journey.
You touch upon very important points. I'm working on my next article, which will discuss developing a professional identity. The article will address some of the challenges you mention. You don't actually need to test that many career paths. That's the second step, anyway. The first step is to learn more about yourself.
Reminds me of James Clear towards the end of Atomic Habits:
Explore/exploit trade off with skills:
- Explore at the beginning
- Exploit the closer to the finish line
- If you are winnning: exploit
- If you are losing: explore
- In the long-run, 80-90% exploring, 10-20% exploring
I guess the challenge is to figure out the right timing and define 'winning' / 'losing'
How do you decide what you will be doing in 10-20 years?
You explore and experiment, which is why it takes so long. Most people choose a career when they're 18 years old, often before they've had a chance to discover who they are. They pick something they have no experience in, hoping it will work out in the long term. Sometimes, it does, and sometimes, it doesn't.
When you choose your second or third career, you can be a lot more intentional. You're more mature and know what you like and don't like. The second career can be a much more fulfilling journey.
Yeah that makes sense, it's hard though because there are millions of career paths and only some many opportunities to try out.
That sounds positive, I think a fulfilling career is the ultimate goal for work in some ways
You touch upon very important points. I'm working on my next article, which will discuss developing a professional identity. The article will address some of the challenges you mention. You don't actually need to test that many career paths. That's the second step, anyway. The first step is to learn more about yourself.
looking forward to this one!
Hi Daniel, I published the article on professional identity a couple of days ago. Here's the link: https://www.futureskillpro.com/p/the-one-thing-holding-back-your-career
Thank you.
Oh that sounds great, I look forward to reading it 😊