Or should I say, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Ha. But I actually do want to know what career ideas came to you when you were a child, because there are clues there.

It’s funny to look back on what I wanted to be when I grew up. For years, when I was very little, I answered proudly: “a nurse!”  I didn’t know what that meant, but I had met a nice nurse. I remember it felt great to have life figured out. 😊 (A surprising number of adults would ask me what I wanted to be and I felt so grown up at age 5 when I could give an answer.)

Then, at age 11, I saw a funny TV show with a psychotherapist (Bob Newhart, anyone?), and I thought that was it! Get paid to listen and respond. Cool. All figured out again.

At age 12, I had a wonderful teacher (coincidentally, Miss Nelson), so I decided I should be a teacher like her. All set. (I actually had great teachers all through school.)

Basically my system was: I saw a role model I liked, and it seemed like maybe I could, so that was that. Except it wasn’t. I tried many similar things in my career, but still something was off for me.

That guessing game based on what’s around you is about as sophisticated as most people get with choosing what to do when they grow up.

Childhood dreams as clues for today?

My typical childhood guessing method for career clarity hints at 3 key insights:

1. Role models can definitely give you some clues about what lights you up. But we’re not exposed to enough options, or how to choose.
2. Role models can keep you too narrowly focused on what people who look like you have done, like other females in my case.
3. Choosing from the known models should not be the end of the story. Instead, you can use those clues to look for the underlying themes and explore more options.

In my case, helping, guiding, or uplifting people were some underlying themes for me in what drew my interest. I could have used that as breadcrumbs to then explore all kinds of ways to fulfill those interests. Now we’re gettin’ somewhere.

I didn’t know I was a highly sensitive person (HSP) back then, but I can see in hindsight that those helping themes often resonate for other HSPs. But I didn’t know to take into account what would exhaust me as an HSP.

My meandering path eventually led me, at mid-life, to becoming a heart-centered career and business coach. The path could have been shorter and easier with a better career roadmap for how to choose.

Turns out I’m good at generating ideas for careers that fit particular interests, temperaments, and strengths. For instance, if you are interested in helping people and you’re good at empathy, like many HSPs, I generated these career ideas for you: 50+ Career Alternatives to Being a Therapist If You Enjoy Psychology But Dread Burnout. I’ve also got many self-employment ideas for introverts.

Bottom Line

► The Problem: Most people stop at the known options around them and get stuck.

► The Solution: Broaden your view, dig a little deeper, and stay open-minded as you explore. Ideally, get a career clarity roadmap to make the discovery much more efficient.

>> Free mini-class: Career Roadmap for Sensitive Souls <<

If you’re in that career confusion place and not sure how to choose, I made this little class for you. It’s relevant for employment, self-employment, or blended paths.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I love hearing those stories! You can share in the comments.

Think about: Are there clues about your deep interests in those early career dreams?