By Maria T.
Do you know where you are going in life? A lot of people don’t. If you have a clear idea of where you want to be in a few years, you really are a lucky one. Dreams are valuable, if you’ve got one then hold onto it! But even more important than dreams, are plans. If you know where you are going, do you know how to get there? With a plan, you can turn a dream into an action, a fantasy into a set of real, concrete steps.
The problem is, not many of us have solid answers to these two questions. Figuring out where you want to go and how to get there can seem very difficult, sometimes impossible. The world is so big, there are so many opportunities, and so many obstacles. How can we figure all of this out?! Don’t worry. When you think about things in terms of smaller, more bitesize questions, life becomes a lot easier to manage. Here are 4 simple things to think about, and do, in order to get some life direction.
1. What is important to you in life and work?
Ask yourself this question, and don’t think too hard. Just focus on what comes naturally to you. Is it family? Working directly with people? Maybe getting a promotion and becoming a manager, or starting your own business? Perhaps what you really value in life is travel, or just being healthy? Whatever it is, be honest, write it down, and focus on that thing. Your answers to this question will provide you with some insights into how you want your life to progress.
2. What do you (not) like about your current job?
To find out where you want to go, think about where you are and what you like about it. Look at your most recent job. Is it causing you stress? If yes, then what is stressful about it? Do you have a good work-life balance? Do you feel in control of your time? Write down the elements of your job that you want to keep and the ones that you want to change. This will really help you develop a sense of where you want to go.
3. Get some professional career guidance
Once you have a better idea of what you want more of in your life, you can start thinking about how to manage your career to make these dreams a reality. To put together a great career plan, you should talk to the people who know about your field. You can connect with the pros by boosting your online presence. You can also visit Alison’s Career Guide to find out which skills and courses are the most useful for developing specific career paths.
4. Take action
Once you have gathered some career guidance from the people who really know, put that knowledge to good use and take action. No matter what skill you want to learn, start learning and stick with it. With each course you complete and skill you gain you will make your résumé stronger, and the future you are looking for will become more and more of a reality.
So, from a question, to a dream, to a plan, it really is possible to find some solid direction in life. The key is to go for it. Ask yourself those questions, and then take action. Your future is yours.
