How to Find a Career You Genuinely Love

Many people experience career stress due to uncertainty about their career path and whether it will be successful. This leads to anxiety, worries, and self-doubt about being on the right path or truly fulfilled in current jobs.

Many people are attached to career labels or lifestyles when thinking about their ideal job. However, it's crucial to focus on the day-to-day tasks of a job rather than just the title. Research shows that happiness in a career is key for success, and considering the actual activities involved can lead to better decision-making.

The concept of 'Me Plus' involves visualizing your ideal self in terms of job title, industry, company, and responsibilities. It's about defining the big picture of a career you enjoy and identifying specific tasks that align with your personal interests. This exercise helps in taking small steps towards achieving an enjoyable career.

To move towards a career you enjoy, audit your time during the week by writing down what you're doing and whether or not you enjoy it. Use a simple strategy of marking activities as double plus (taking you closer to your goals), plus (somewhat helpful), plus minus (not helping much), or minus minus (actively taking away from your goals). Identify and avoid the 'minus-minus' activities that are time sinkers.

Tip 4: Invest 13 minutes a day in activities that lead to a career you enjoy. Professor Lorden emphasizes the concept of compounding, similar to financial investments. By dedicating just 90 minutes per week (equivalent to 13 minutes daily), it's possible to develop skills and abilities essential for an enjoyable career, such as learning how to code.

Developing skills is crucial for success, but going back to university may not be necessary. There are many cheap or free resources available outside of traditional classrooms that offer valuable learning opportunities. While a university degree provides backup options, real entrepreneurial experience can often be more favorable than an MBA when it comes to job recruitment.

It's common for people to underestimate how much their values and preferences will change over time, leading to the end of History illusion. Embracing u-turns in your career is important because it allows you to adapt as you grow and learn. Society's aversion to changing one's mind can be detrimental, especially when navigating uncertainty.

Deliberately explore activities you enjoy to discover your dream career. Use the grid search mindset to identify what brings you fulfillment, even if it means changing direction along the way. Embrace small steps and be open to u-turns in pursuit of a fulfilling career.