On average you will spend 90,000 hours at work in your lifetime. That is one third of your whole life! Spending this amount of time in a job you dislike is a daunting reality for many people, but it doesn’t have to be. Finding a job you enjoy can improve life satisfaction and reduce work related stress.
Whether you are looking to start a new career or switch from your current one, these helpful tips will put you on the right path.
Tips to help you find a career you’re passionate about
Adapt your mindset
Before even thinking about a career it is important to have a growth mindset. A growth mindset encourages you to believe in your abilities and know that through hard work and support from others, you can achieve anything you put your mind to. It is important to have this mindset when starting a new career or changing careers as it can be challenging and sometimes discouraging when learning a new skill. When times get tough, it is easy to give up or doubt your abilities, but using your growth mindset and the passion you have for the role, can help you achieve great things.
Think about your passions
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? What excites you? What are you good at? These are things to think about when figuring out your passion. Writing down a list of things you enjoy is a good start, then thinking about potential careers from these activities is a great next step. For example if you enjoy looking after animals you may consider careers related to animal care, or, if you are great at drawing and creation, you could look into graphic design. If you find that you are not so good at what you enjoy, practice and persistence can help you upskill in this area.
Look at your qualifications and experience
If you have firmly decided which career is ideal for you then it is essential to look at your qualifications and experience related to the role. Researching the role and it’s requirements will show you which qualifications you may need to get, or the kind of work experience you need to gain. If you realise you don’t have much experience it may be an idea to look for apprenticeships or voluntary experience required. Alternatively, if the job requires you to have specific qualifications, looking into courses in the field would also be beneficial.
Make a plan and stay positive
Failing to plan is planning to fail! Making a plan is incredibly important as it shows you the steps you need to take to reach your goal. Even if you are unsure about the specific things you need to do, have a starting point; after that, think of your end goal and then you can fill in other steps along the way. Remain both positive and focused on your career goal and when in doubt, focus on the passion you have for the role. When you finally get the job, you will be incredibly proud of yourself for persevering and will spend the rest of your working life grateful for choosing to follow your passion!
If you are looking to start your career journey, contact us today to see how we can help you to reach your goals.
