Heed your own voice on career choice
Published:Wednesday | May 7, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Glenford Smith, Career writer
When it comes to choosing your vocation, it is critical that the voice you listen to most closely is your own.
Sometimes, it can be hard to make up your mind for various reasons. It's advisable, however, to do the difficult job of deciding on your career yourself. Otherwise, you could end up living someone else's vision for your life, making you miserable and dissatisfied inside.
A young reader recently wrote me to say she had been contemplating becoming a lawyer. She shared her dream with a senior counsel, who advised her against it. That advice was justified on the basis that there was already an oversupply of attorneys practising in Jamaica.
She was left confused and anxious about what to do. Her passion had always been law. She had always nurtured the vision of herself as a lawyer - nothing else. What was she to do?
There is no one-size-fit-all answer to that question. Perhaps the advice is sound, and she should change career paths. Then again, depending upon her intelligence, determination and resourcefulness, she could find or create a way to become a successful lawyer, regardless of how many lawyers there are.
So, it all comes down to taking responsibility for making a decision appropriate to each individual's motivation, abilities, and his or her unique life circumstances.
Furthermore, finding one's ultimate career path is often a matter of trial and error, rather than a simple one-time decision.
FOUR GUIDEPOSTS
That said, here are four guideposts to help.
1. Clarify what you want to do. 'Your career' means just that - a career that you choose, that suits you. Discover what your passion, dream or ideal career is. Honour it.
2. Seek advice from knowledgeable people you trust. Benefit from the wisdom, experience and impartial judgement of mentors, colleagues, school guidance counsellors, pastors, parents, friends and professionals who are already in the career you aspire to.
3. Ask yourself these three questions: Am I willing to do whatever it takes to succeed at this career? Will succeeding at this career really make me the income I desire, and bring me the fulfilment I expect? And, can I live happily with my decision, whatever happens? If the answer to any of these is no, consider doing something else.
4. If the answers are yes, go for it. Be prepared that if things don't go as expected, you're not devastated. Oftentimes, many failures and disappointments in going after our desires are what lead us ultimately to a happy destiny.
HONOUR YOUR CALLING
Bear in mind that no one can really feel your passion or perceive your vision as you do. So, you have to believe in yourself and your dream, even if others don't. Also, there is no guarantee that a particular choice will work out as expected.
Therefore, the key is to know yourself, believe in yourself and be willing to chart your own career path, whatever happens.
By all means, listen to others' advice, but make the final decision yourself. It's your life - live it.
Listen to your own voice. Honour your calling.
Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and success strategist. He is the author of 'From Problems to Power' and co-author of 'Profile of Excellence'. Email feedback to glenfordsmith@yahoo.com.
SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS
MAY 8
Jamaica Employers' Federation annual Business & Workplace Convention and Expo, May 8-11, at Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa, Ocho Rios, St Ann.
MAY 9
The Worldwide Luminary Leadercast Seminar, simulcast from Atlanta to Jamaica Pegasus hotel, 81 Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, and Montego Bay Convention Centre, Rose Hall, St James, 8 a.m.
MAY 22
Jamaica Business Development Corporation's 7th annual Small Business Exposition & Conference, at Jamaica Pegasus hotel, 81 Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston.
JUNE 26
B&B University College marketing seminar 'Practical Techniques in a Diverse Environment', 9 a.m.
JUNE 9
UWI, Mona, Faculty of Law to host WIPO-IPO Summer School on Intellectual Property, June 9-20, at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston.
noreen.greenwood@uwimona.edu.jm
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