Choosing the right career is one of the most significant decisions you'll ever make. As a career counselor, I’ve seen many people struggle with this decision, often overwhelmed by the myriad of options available. External messages from society about status, money, prestige, and many other factors can sometimes blur our internal compass and make the career decision-making process even more challenging.
While no single process fits everyone, there is one key component to making an effective career decision, and that is self-reflection.
Whether you're just starting or considering a change, self-reflection should be at the forefront of your decision-making process. There are three key things to reflect on when making a career decision to ensure that you make a choice that aligns with your values and aspirations.
Here are the top 3 questions to ask yourself as you engage in the career decision-making process:
What gets you into flow?
Think about tasks that get you excited, energized, and motivated. When you're in the right field, you tend to get energized by your work. You don't notice how time passes and you find yourself with splurges of energy throughout the day. This means that you're in flow. Flow is when you get lost in what you're doing and perform naturally. Flow is being "in the zone" and this is exactly how you feel when you're doing what you're meant to do.
This doesn't mean that you need to be in flow every hour of every day. There will always be aspects of your job that may be challenging. With that said, if you're doing work that comes naturally to you and is aligned with your strengths and values, then you're likely to enjoy the work and perform well.
Check out this TED Talk on flow by psychologist, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
As you're thinking about your career aspirations, consider tasks that you do naturally. Tasks that get you into flow can be a great indicator of the type of work that is aligned with your natural strengths and interests.
What problems do you want to solve in the world?
This is one of my favorite questions to ask in career counseling sessions. The answer to this question can be a great indicator of your natural interests and passions. Topics that you gravitate toward or like to learn about on your spare time can shed light on what kind of industries might be a good fit for you.
Every single job out there is about solving some type of problem. Reflecting on the problems you want to solve in the world is crucial because it helps you identify a sense of purpose and direction in your career and life. When you focus on the issues that genuinely resonate with you—whether it's environmental sustainability, social justice, healthcare, etc. - you align your efforts with a cause that motivates you. This alignment fuels passion, resilience, and satisfaction, turning work into a meaningful pursuit rather than just a means to an end.
Also, by addressing problems that matter to you, you contribute to making the world a better place, which can be incredibly fulfilling and impactful both personally and professionally.
If money, time, and location weren't factors, what would you do?
This is the question that you ask yourself to help remove all the external messaging out of your decision-making process. It reveals your true passions and intrinsic motivations. Without the constraints of financial necessity, time limitations, or geographical restrictions, you can focus purely on what genuinely excites and fulfills you. This reflection helps you uncover what you love doing for its own sake, not just for external rewards. By aligning your career with these deeper desires, you're more likely to find long-term satisfaction, motivation, and purpose, leading to a career path that feels meaningful and rewarding on a personal level.
Conclusion
Making a career decision requires reflection on what gets you into flow, problems that intrigue you, and activities you like doing for their own sake. By taking the time to consider these three key areas, you’ll have increased clarity about your personal preferences and be better equipped to make a decision that not only advances your career but also enhances your life as a whole. Remember, the best career choice is one that aligns with who you are and where you want to go, both professionally and personally.
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