Focus on Tasks, Not Just Job Titles
Many people attach themselves to a job label. They might dream of being a “doctor” or an “investment banker.” However, this focus on titles can be misleading. It often overlooks the daily reality of the role. A prestigious title might hide unfulfilling tasks. Professor Lordan emphasizes considering daily activities. Ask yourself, “What would I *actually* do each day?” This means thinking about the specific tasks. Will you enjoy those activities? Your happiness largely depends on these daily actions. Tim Urban’s “Pixel Theory” is relevant here. Life is a big picture. However, we live within individual pixels. Your broad career vision is the big picture. Your daily tasks are the pixels. These small, everyday moments shape your overall experience. Therefore, focusing on tasks helps create a career you genuinely love. It aligns your daily work with your deeper enjoyment.Understand the Pitfalls of Status Symbols
Job titles often carry societal status. They can create a false sense of appeal. A “neurosurgeon” sounds impressive. Yet, the day-to-day work involves long hours and intense pressure. The reality might not match the glamorous image. People might chase a lifestyle. They want a particular car or vacation. This often connects to specific job titles. This external motivation can be hollow. True satisfaction comes from internal alignment. Consider what genuinely energizes you. Evaluate the actual work involved. Research the day-to-day responsibilities. Talk to people in those roles. This provides a realistic picture. It moves you beyond mere labels. Focus on what truly matters for job satisfaction.Visualize Your “Me+” for Career Fulfillment
A powerful exercise involves visualizing your “Me+”. This is the aspirational version of yourself. It is the “you” you truly want to become. This helps define your ideal career. It clarifies your personal and professional goals. The exercise includes specific questions. What is your “Me+” job title? Which industry will your “Me+” work in? What characteristics define your ideal company? These questions paint a big picture. They set a broad vision for your future. Next, you drill down into specific tasks. What activities would your “Me+” be doing? Consider things like “disrupting how people think.” Or “coaching and developing others.” Identify tasks that genuinely excite you. This visualization makes your goals concrete. It helps take small, actionable steps towards your ideal career.Define Your Ideal Work Environment
Beyond tasks, think about the environment. What kind of company culture appeals to you? Do you prefer a startup or a large corporation? Does innovation drive you? Or perhaps stability and tradition? Consider the impact you want to make. Will your work contribute to a cause? Will it solve important problems? Your “Me+” vision should encompass these elements. It creates a holistic view of your ideal work life. This clear picture empowers better choices.Audit Your Time for Purpose and Enjoyment
Time auditing is a simple yet effective strategy. Track how you spend your time each week. Note down your activities. More importantly, record how you *feel* about them. Did an activity bring purpose? Was it fun in the moment? This practice reveals patterns. Some tasks might energize you. Others might drain your energy. The goal is to identify these feelings. Use a simple rating system. A “double plus” for activities aligning with your “Me+”. A “minus minus” for tasks you actively dislike. Eliminate the “minus minus” activities when possible. They are time sinkers. They detract from your career goals. Focus on increasing your “plus” and “double plus” activities. This intentional shift boosts job satisfaction. It moves you closer to a career you love.Practical Steps for Time Auditing
Take a screenshot of your calendar. Go through each item. Assign a rating to each activity. Use the host’s suggested system: * **++**: Actively moves you towards “Me+”. * **+**: Somewhat moves you towards “Me+”. * **+/-**: Doesn’t help or hinder your path. * **–**: Actively takes you away from “Me+”. Review your ratings regularly. Look for consistent patterns. Can you delegate or minimize “minus minus” tasks? Can you expand on “plus plus” activities? This audit provides tangible data. It informs your career development decisions.Invest Just 13 Minutes Per Day in Your Career
Consistent effort compounds over time. This principle applies strongly to career growth. Professor Lordan suggests investing 90 minutes a week. This breaks down to just 13 minutes per day. Everyone can find 13 minutes. Use this time to develop valuable skills. If your ideal career involves coding, learn to code. Even small, daily steps build proficiency. You won’t become an expert overnight. However, this consistent practice creates significant long-term gains. It’s a powerful tool for professional development. Cal Newport’s Career Capital Theory aligns with this. A fulfilling career is earned. You build “career capital.” This means developing rare and valuable skills. Investing 13 minutes daily is a path to acquire these skills. It equips you for the career you genuinely love.Compounding Beyond Finances
We easily accept financial compounding. Small investments grow significantly. The same is true for skill development. Learning a new language for 13 minutes daily adds up. Mastering a software tool consistently enhances your abilities. Think about specific skills. Are communication skills important for your “Me+”? Practice public speaking for a few minutes. Is writing crucial? Dedicate time to crafting clear sentences. These small, deliberate actions create momentum. They accelerate your career growth.You Don’t Need to Go (Back) to University
Traditional university degrees are valuable. However, they are not the only path. Especially for career changers, an expensive degree might not be necessary. There are countless free or low-cost resources available. These can provide essential skills and knowledge. Professor Lordan, a university professor herself, advocates for alternative learning. The internet offers vast educational opportunities. Online courses, bootcamps, and digital libraries are accessible. They allow for flexible and targeted learning. This helps you build specific skills. It avoids the significant time and financial commitment of a degree.Explore Modern Learning Paths
Consider online learning platforms. Sites like Coursera, edX, or Khan Academy offer courses. Many are from top universities. Some lead to certifications. Vocational schools provide hands-on training. Apprenticeships offer practical, on-the-job experience. Networking and mentorship are also vital. Learn from experienced professionals. Ask questions and seek guidance. Real-world entrepreneurial experience is highly valued. It often outweighs traditional qualifications. Focus on acquiring relevant skills. This makes you more adaptable. It opens new doors for your professional development.Embrace U-Turns in Your Career Journey
Career paths are rarely straight lines. It is natural for preferences and values to change. “The End Of History Illusion” highlights this. Psychologist Dan Gilbert’s research shows we underestimate future change. We often think our current selves are our final selves. Society sometimes views U-turns negatively. Changing your mind can be seen as inconsistency. However, in career navigation, U-turns are valuable. They are strategic course corrections. They reflect new data and updated understanding. Leaders who can change their minds are often more effective. Be open to shifting your direction. A career change isn’t a failure. It’s an adjustment based on experience. It moves you closer to true career fulfillment. Learn from previous steps. Then, deliberately adjust your path.The Wisdom of Adaptability
Life experiences shape us. What was appealing at 16 might not be at 26. Your priorities evolve. Your passions might shift. This personal growth should be reflected in your career choices. Resisting change can lead to prolonged dissatisfaction. Treat your career as an ongoing experiment. Each role provides data. What did you enjoy? What did you dislike? Use this information to inform your next step. Be willing to pivot. This adaptability is a strength. It ensures your career aligns with your evolving self.Adopt the Grid-Search Mindset for Career Exploration
You might not have a perfect vision right away. A “grid-search” mindset helps navigate this uncertainty. It involves exploring different activities. You gather data on what you enjoy. Then, you assess if these actions align with your dream career. Think of your career as a series of small experiments. Try various tasks or roles. See how they make you feel. This iterative process guides your path. It helps you connect the dots looking backward. What might seem like random steps later reveals a coherent journey. The host’s journey from teaching Kumon to YouTube demonstrates this. He followed what he enjoyed: teaching, medicine, creativity, entrepreneurship. His path wasn’t linear. Yet, each step provided data. It led him to a career he genuinely loves.Iterative Exploration and Data Gathering
Start with your current interests. Identify core activities you enjoy. Try to incorporate them into your work or personal projects. This is like setting points on a grid. Each point represents an experience. Collect feedback from these experiences. Did a task excite you? Did it feel purposeful? Use this data to adjust your next steps. Be willing to go left, right, or even backward. The key is deliberate decision-making. This openness to change is crucial. It ensures you are always moving towards a career you love.Finding Your Career Soulmate: Your Questions Answered
Why shouldn’t I just focus on job titles when looking for a career?
Focusing only on titles can be misleading because a prestigious title might hide daily tasks you find unfulfilling. It’s more important to consider the actual activities you would do each day.
What is the ‘Me+’ exercise and how does it help with career choices?
The ‘Me+’ exercise involves visualizing your aspirational self to define your ideal career, including job titles, industry, and daily tasks that genuinely excite you. This helps make your career goals concrete.
How can auditing my time help me find a career I love?
Auditing your time means tracking activities and how you feel about them (energized or drained). This helps you identify patterns, minimize disliked tasks, and increase activities that align with your career goals.
Is it okay to change my career path if my interests evolve?
Yes, embracing ‘U-turns’ is a valuable part of your career journey. It means making strategic adjustments based on new experiences and understanding, helping you align with your evolving self and find fulfillment.
