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Navigating Career Paths with Purpose and Reflection

nicolerprecourt

Mastery is a process rather than a goal.

 

We often get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. Sometimes, that is okay, but growth doesn't happen in that space.

 

When do we stop to regroup and reflect? If we are constantly on the run, our brains are engaged 24/7. We don't allow ourselves that space to think about what is next.

 

When we are simply going through the motions and "trying" to get through the days, we aren't giving ourselves grace and space to understand ourselves.

 

Over the last 20 years of my career in education, I have seen first-hand how students don't take the time to think about WHAT they want to be doing and WHY they wanted to do it. They don't take time to understand themselves, what they like to do, when they are in their "flow state" and how to pair that with what they are innately good at. They are just focused on going through the motions to "do well" in school.

 

I knew I had to do more! It is the foundation that I have built my business on.

 

My goal is to help people understand themselves and know their WHY. When the work isn't done to build a foundation, the foundation eventually starts to crack.


This is the pattern what I see all too often...

 

High school students are always on the go, they become so focused on doing well in their classes, racing to all of their activities, working...their brains are always stimulated. They aren't taking that quiet time to really think about WHAT they want to be doing after high school and WHY they want to do to that!

 

As a society we push college too much. There is more focus on finding "the right" college, without always stopping to think if college is the right place. However, our youth thinks that is what they're "supposed to do".

 

During college, their time is once again consumed by trying to do well in classes, making new friends, working, being involved in activities, sports and clubs. Before they know it, graduation comes, then have that "uh oh" moment of what now.

 

They assumed that the college would find them a job, or it would magically happen. Or they realize college isn't right for them, and they feel lost (according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center the college completion rate in 2023 was 62%). They get frustrated and feel like they did something wrong.

 

This pattern flows into adulthood as well. If someone was fortunate enough to get that job after high school or college, and focused more on the salary than if the job itself was a good fit for them. Time goes by, family obligations trump finding a new career that is a better fit. Eventually, that feeling of being unfulfilled in a job and like something is missing become overwhelming.

 

I want to take a moment to commend those who took the time to build their foundation, it's not easy, but it is so worth it!

 

There is a really amazing concept called Ikigai. Ikigai is a Japanese term that blends two words: “iki” meaning “to live,” and “gai” meaning “reason,” which translates to “a reason to live.” It's a concept that encourages people to discover what truly matters to them and to live a life filled with purpose and joy. If we are not hitting all the areas, we will eventually feel like something is missing.

Taking time to reflect will give you tools and ideas to move you in the right direction. Taking other action steps are part of this process as well, and YES, it's a process!

 

Here are some ideas of ways that can help you to reflect:

 

  • Take time away from the commotion, give yourself time to think about what you are naturally good at, what you value, who you are as a person.

  • WRITE things down! Don't type in in your phone, take a pen to paper and write your thoughts and ideas. There is something magical that happens when you physically write things instead of typing them.

  • Think about when you lose track of time, what are you doing?

  • Consider what your dream workday looks like.

  • Take career assessments to give you a foundation to research on.

  • Try new things! Take a new job, join a new club, take up a new hobby, volunteer! Learn about yourself.

  • Talk to people! Ask them about their jobs, learn more, research.

  • Connect with a professional career counselor to support you!

 

I want to stress that it is NEVER too late to go through the career exploration process. Remember, career exploration is a PROCESS and it's lifelong!

 

I would love to help and support you or your child through this process, reach out for a free consultation and we can discuss a plan that suits your needs.

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