It’s simple but not instant. The key to knowing when it’s the right career or business path for you is to follow what feels True to you. Anything less leads to burnout at some point. So you might as well do the work to discover what’s true for you.
But following your Truth? Hmm, that can be confusing and hard to do, huh? I didn’t know how to do that for many years. And yep, I burned out. Burnout is the worst. I’m sorry if you know what I mean.
I’ve discovered that part of why it’s hard to sense what’s right for us is that most of us are focusing on what’s going wrong (because that’s how the brain works).
So then we miss the small signs of what is going right or what we could build on to make things even better.
It’s like a big blind spot. But we can get around it.
I explain a shortcut for knowing the right direction in this post. Sensitive souls will be good at this method.
The Shortcut for Knowing the Right Career Direction
Consciously look for the bright spots.
They are there somewhere, if you look around. Notice the small details of where it feels good, where you’re smiling even a little.
Explore those directions further. How could you turn up the dial on that piece even a little bit?
For instance, if you like the tiny part of your job where you get to create slides for a presentation, but you hate the rest of presenting, how could you tweak your focus to do more of the behind-the-scenes creating? Trade with a colleague?
I’m NOT saying look at the bright side and stay where you are, and just buck up and be with all that exhaustion. No way.
In fact, let’s take a moment to just honor the struggle of where you might be. Allow some tears. It can feel way too exhausting, and just taking a moment to honor that can be good for the soul. I have been there. And I’m with you in spirit now.
So, then what? What I am saying is to follow the signs and go towards more and more of what feels right inside. Your body knows. First look for what feels right already as the starting place.
Here’s how one woman described applying this in her situation:
When you write about paying attention to the little things that feel right, this is a big one for me. Using my writing to help others bring expression to their pain, their triumphs, their stories. Using my writing to change how people view and understand themselves and others. That feels right.
It’s all part of how I’ve slowly shifted my self-perception of being wrong in the world to honouring my sensitive, introverted way of being. I always remember what you said to me that ‘There’s nothing wrong with being you, just wrong fits that make you feel wrong.’
It is possible to make a change and find a way for things to fit for my own way of being.”
~Helena, Canada
In a way, I’m saying to follow where a pleasant breeze is already blowing! I’ll explain what I mean and how it can be practical too.
When you turn your attention to what feels right, a lot is revealed.
To me, the breeze analogy means you are following what is coming naturally to you, and also what your heart enjoys, and it also means it’s resonating with the people you are here to serve. It feels like doors opening in your heart and mind.
If something you’re trying feels like working against something inside yourself (like your natural strengths or against your values), that’s not going “with the wind.” Make sense?
But That Sounds Scary (or Hard)…
I know, I can hear you saying it’s hard to “just follow the breeze” because it can feel like going AGAINST what’s expected or what’s needed for income. Sounds scary.
It’s not simple to do that. There’s a few more steps involved. I can’t explain it all today.
For those who are INFPs on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or who are highly sensitive people (HSPs), like I am, what I’m saying probably sounds like your natural way of doing things, so consider that a strength of yours, that you know how to sense and follow a pleasant breeze towards your Truth. If you stop and do it.
Many of us, even if it comes naturally to us, have learned to tune out this natural flow. But it’s still there waiting for us to listen. That’s good news.
But still, for most people, you need a few more concrete steps to take, in order to move into your best path — for ease, sustainability, fulfillment, and making a real difference. In other words, it’s good to bring in practical concerns and a closer look before choosing your path.
Following a few simple steps to find your true career path can be fairly simple, even if not an overnight thing.
Check out my Career Clarity Course:
“Simple Steps to Uncover the Best Use of You Now”
In the meantime, some of my other posts might be helpful. I’ve got a few suggestions below.
