For so many of you, this might be difficult, to think outside the box. Thinking outside the ordinary.  It’s easy to stay within the walls of thought that you’ve built over these past years, isn’t it? Of course. Things become easy in life when you are used to doing them. The comfort zone starts to establish itself even as a young person and having to make too much change is not in the play book.

Sound familiar?

Who blames you!

All this time, your used to following strict regimented sets of rules and policies at home, school and work. You are required to be at certain places at certain times. Things don’t start “whenever” but there are regimented routines of things that occur in life. It’s hard for you to actually and literally think for yourselves because there are others in your lives doing the thinking for you.

It’s tough to think for yourself. To have the time to make mistakes, correct them and move on, learning from them. Sometimes in life things just don’t allow us to experiment. It’s important that we focus on specific areas of our life-like love, faith and profession (to name a few) as part of the overall development of our lives and happiness. One of those I just mentioned is our professional development. What are you going to be when you grow up? Have you ever been asked that? Did you actually think, “hmmm, what AM I going to be when I grow up??” Some of you may have been through this, and looking for more input which is cool. But many of you might be in the situation where your ability to make the proper choices on careers, or do not really know HOW t go about choosing your profession. The field of work that most of you will be spending about 45-50 years of your life before retirement. You have to like it. So here are some options for you to consider in choosing your career. I also provide you with a list of other and short activities I created for you to run as a tool for making the proper choice.

First things first:

1. Know that the more you have, the better decisions you can make.

2. You HAVE to open your minds. Keep all preconceived thoughts, emotions or ideas you might have on how or what careers are out there.

Clear your mind. Take everything out of your thought process. Homework, the girls, the boys, money, video games, stresses, sports, things you’re going to do this weekend, etc. Take it all out and completely void your mind as much as you can. This takes some practice, so try it out and practice first.  It’s almost a meditation type feeling. If you don’t want to get all into that, that’s fine.  Just keep your mind fresh and clear because this is where you should dedicate some specific time for you to make some of the most important decisions of your life.

HERE’S WHY:

The next set of entries will focus on showing and illustrating to you how to choose CAREERS that you will greatly benefit from, financially, professionally and personally. These choices will lead you to a much more fulfilling life. It will also give you more opportunities to be as successful as you want to be. What’s even more cool is that by following the steps I show you over these next few entries, you will be able to make more choices in jobs, once you have found your CAREER.

Before reading on, please answer these following questions:

1. What is my dream job? (be realistic and write it down on a piece of paper)

2. What are 3 qualities that I have. (if you can’t think of any don’t worry, I’ll help)

3.  If you won $10 million, what job would you still do? (you have to think of something)

Write them down.  Taking notes is so important and will benefit you, trust me. I’ve learned the hard way that when I don’t write something I think is pretty important. Whenever I didn’t, I needed it. It sucked, but whatever.

A LONG TIME COMING…

But, it wasn’t until I turned 34 years old and started as a public speaker/college recruiter for Brown Mackie College that I realized how much personality plays into your career choice. Why not do what you want to do? If you have skills and talents that you can apply to a job, why not?

This list of postings gives you a pretty good view of what I’m talking about here with regard to resources for you in choosing the right career:

ITS ALL ABOUT HAVING A PASSION

CAREER INTEREST SURVEY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

INTEREST SURVEY FOR PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND COUNSELORS

Part 1: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?

PART 2: WHAT ARE YOU GOOD AT?  SKILLS AND TALENTS FOR CAREERS

PART 3: PERSONALITIES

CAREER ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

QUACK, QUACK…WADDLE, WADDLE

1. Think about what you like in life

2. Think about what you are good at

3. Think about the kind of person you are

ARE YOU READY?

Please post any suggestions, comments or questions you might have. Tweet me or friend me on FB!

Keith Lipke is a careers and college recruiter, coach, mentor and blogger at The Career Closet. His passion is to educate, inspire, and give hope to young people who need it upon their search for the right career and college.