I was chatting with my uber driver, Pramod, today and after discussing his upcoming wedding, talk turned to careers. He’s just finished university and was trying to work out what to do with his life.
I told him a secret that I’ve recently learnt…
No-one knows what they’re doing! We’re all just making it up as we go along.
This truth is both terrifying and a relief.
There is no one answer, we’re all just working it out one day at a time.
I told him about an old boss of mine who helped me a lot. Hubbo helped me work out what role I wanted by picturing myself in the more senior roles in the company. Turns out I didn’t want any, and soon resigned, but Hubbo still taught me a lot through our many conversations about work and life.
Working out what you don’t want can be as helpful as learning what you do want.
But remember this: we want and like the things we’re good at.
Hubbo told me to allow time (at least a year) to work out how to be good at something before deciding you don’t like it. That way you’re not discounting an option just because you suck at it.
I never knew my job would be what it is now, and I know it will change in the future because change is inevitable.
Once you lose the fear of not knowing what you’re doing, you can learn great skills and work out what you really love to do.