So, you can either be a freshman about to start your journey in college, a junior who has survived the first year of adaptation, or a senior about to graduate; whatever your situation is, we’ve all had that famous question pop up in our minds: What do I do now?
Yes, we’ve all been there; don’t worry. I, myself, am right there with you. What do we do when this happens? Do we go on with our daily routines and hope everything will fall into place by itself? We could do that, but it would be unrealistic to think this would work.
With this being said, here’s a 5-step guide to help with the process of every individual’s own path to self-discovery:
1. Don’t Pressure Yourself
I know it’s a difficult thing not to do, but the more you pressure yourself, the more you will block yourself from making important decisions. Just sip your cup of coffee and breathe.
(https://tenor.com/search/stress-gifs)
2. Analyze Your Interests
Ask yourselves, do you really like what you’re studying? If the answer is yes, then you’ve already found your passion and you should keep working towards that. Now, if the answer is no, then you should reconsider what really makes you happy. Trust me, once you find what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.
(https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/develop/talent/what-are-your-trainees-thinking)
3. Trial and Error
In life, we have to try everything in order to realize what we like and dislike. The same goes for our career paths; we may think we know what we want to do in life, but it’s not until we do it that we realize whether it’s for us or not. Get experience, join clubs, and don’t worry if you fall and stumble in the process, after all, those experiences will help you learn and know what you truly want.
(http://www.elemprendedor.ec/importancia-del-plan-b-en-los-negocios/)
4. Network, Network, Network
I can’t stress this enough. If you want to evolve and grow in the career of your choice, you need to develop relationships with people who can help you get where you want to be. Go out to social networking events and bring your work with you. You never know when an opportunity can knock on your door.
https://giphy.com/explore/i-saw-an-opportunity
5. Go at Your Own Pace
Lastly, don’t try to rush yourself into anything; remember that patience and perseverance are key. Also, don’t compare yourself to others and think you’re behind everyone else, we all go in a different pace. As famous Chinese philosopher Confucius once said, “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.”
(https://www.powerofpositivity.com/5-signs-youre-on-the-right-path/)
I hope this guide has helped you get some clarity on the things you should be doing in order to move forward to the next step of your life. Remember, it’s okay to not be completely sure of the path your life will take, just get out there and experience it by yourself. Only then will you know what your purpose in life will be.