Everyone I know is working towards something in life—may it be a job that they love, or a career or dream that they are chasing after, I have a life full of people who are moving in a positive direction. But positive doesn’t always mean that it is the direction in which they are supposed to be moving towards. There are some people who are headed towards career failure, and they don’t even know it.
I do not want to be a Debbie Downer by any stretch of the imagination, but I must keep it real. Just because you like to do something doesn’t necessarily mean you are good at it. I will use myself as an example. I LOVE to do my hair and make-up and experiment and try new looks. I have FUN with it, and in terms of products and brands, I am more resourceful and knowledgeable than the fashion magazines I read. But I could never be a hair stylist or a make-up artist—I’ve tried to do other’s make-up and it never looks right. I know how to do it on me but not on others. So my dream of being that global stylist to the stars will never happen. I understand that. I own it. And although I don’t like it, I have to be real to myself because it is what it is. If I tried to continue to make a life out of doing so, I would be heading towards career failure.
Have you ever heard that saying, not everything good to you is good for you? The same is true with your career. You could be good at something but it may not be a good career for you fit wise. Know the difference and move forward accordingly.
If you are currently looking to change your career, I would definitely say to look at your passion and make it happen—that is what I did with this blog. I took my passion for writing as well as my knowledge working as a Human Resource manager and channeled it into this project. I found something that I LOVE doing that has worked for me, and it has given knew life to my career in management. However, it took several months for me to get in the groove, and if I didn’t find it (my time limit was six months), then I was going to move onto something else.
There is nothing worse than being in a career and being stagnant.
So how do you know if you are headed towards career failure? I would say that, like myself, you should give yourself a time limit or timeframe in which you will throw in the towel if it isn’t working for you. That time limit has to be determined by you. But if you are working towards your ultimate career and you cannot eat solely off of the career within a given timeframe, I think it’s safe to say you can hang it up. Career wise, it may not be a good fit for you, but who’s to say you could not keep moving forward using this outlet as a hobby.
What you want to be is ultimately realistic in your goals. If you cannot be honest with yourself about your career and your direction, who else will?
I challenge each and every one of you to take your passions and make it happen. This post is not about throwing away your dream. It is about putting into perspective and being honest with your assessment. You can do anything you put your mind to. God knows I am a testament to that.
What are your goals? How long have you given yourself to begin your new career. Sound off below, I’d like to hear your thoughts.
I agree with giving yourself a timeframe to pursue something. I'm coming to the end of mine, anxiously awaiting the opportunity to pursue a long nurtured passion. We shall see how things go. 🙂