This is one loaded question, and regardless of age, for the most of us, this issue is persistently on our minds.
The most common approach is to get tested, ask your parents or spouse, your girlfriend or a wise person who lives across the street. But is this the best way to go about it? Maybe, just maybe, it’s your way of avoiding confronting this issue by letting others decide for you? Maybe you are captive by the fear of trusting yourself with such a decision?
I believe that getting tested and referring to external sources are not the answer because they primarily address your past experience and intelligence. Smart people tend to over analyze, over think, and in this case, it’s a disadvantage. They come up with the most logical answer which does not feel right.
You are capable to accurately decide your career direction. You and only you know yourself the best and fully capable of finding your purpose in life, a path to your happiness. To come up with an answer, ask yourself: What would I dare to do if I knew that I couldn’t fail? Now, it’s time to unleash your imagination, creativity, and sense of freedom. What brings the best in you? What inspires you? Thinking of what type of work brings happy tears to your eyes? The key is to have this dialog with your heart and not your head. Use your feelings/emotions (heart) and not your intellect (head).
I do believe that when we are born, G_d installs in our heart (not the head) a microchip (mystics call it a supreme spark) that has our purpose on it and it’s our responsibility to find what it is.
One note to my fellow baby boomers that follow my blog: it’s never too late. Yours truly, is in his late 50’s, and just recently found my true calling and I’m having the time of my life. One would say: “only if you knew then what you know now.” Yes, but I have no regrets. None. I’m truly very grateful that I found my calling when it’s not too late and I will enjoy perfecting it for many years to come. Yes, finding it sooner would have been great, but it is, what it is. I’m happy with what’s here and now.
Albert Einstein said: “It’s not that I’m smarter than others, it’s just that I stay with the issue long enough to come up with a solution.” Don’t delay starting the process, don’t give up, stay the course, and live a happier and healthier life. Can you think of any other issue that will impact your life and those around you more than career choices you make?
Can you imagine a world where everyone is doing what they are best at doing? Wouldn’t that make us one happy village?
Best of luck, and if you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate reaching out, Elie
