What do you do if you're unsure about your long-term career plans?

The term "long-term" connotes, for many, "for the rest of my life." That is a long time, and it's hard to envision so far into the future. Therefore, I say don't make long-term career plans. Instead, make short-term plans - 5-year bites, Long-term plans can cause undue stress and anxiety. There are so many unknowns and unexpected experiences in life that will cause you to change your mind. I went to law school with people who practiced for a year, discovered that law was really not for them and they left the field. I am also a poster child for not making long-term plans. I started college majoring in computer tech, discovered law in a required class, went to law school, practiced, left, and now am a business owner (not of a legal practice).

It's normal to feel unsure about your long-term career plans. I would argue that you should not focus on the long-term because that is not within your control. Focus on the smaller things which you can control. For example, aligning your intrinsic motivation, purpose and core values. By shifting your perspective inwards, you will create a sense of self-awareness that will always help you find the intersection between your career, your core values and interests.

Having a long-term career plan without knowing your values as well as your life aspirations isn′t likely to result in a fulfilling and satisfactory career path. Your life circumstances, and hence the priorities in your personal life are likely to change over time, and in order to follow a fulfilling career path you need to stay flexible to those changes. Although your values are less likely to change drastically, it is crucial to ask the following three questions constantly: What am I doing it for? Who am I doing it for? and Why am I doing it? By constantly asking yourself what drives you, you can align your career with your deepest motivations and lead a truly fulfilling career.

Reflect on your strengths, values, and long-term goals to guide your exploration process. Consider what brings you fulfillment and satisfaction in your work, and prioritize opportunities that align with your passions and aspirations. Seek out mentors or career advisors who can provide guidance and support as you navigate your career journey. Ultimately, the path to discovering your ideal career may involve trial and error, but each experience contributes to your personal and professional growth. Embrace the journey with curiosity and enthusiasm, and trust that you will find your way to a fulfilling and rewarding career path. All the best in finding your way!

Try new experiences, consider taking up internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work in fields you are curious about. This hands-on experience can provide valuable insights and help you determine if a particular career path is a good fit for you.

Instead of using complex methodologies for goal setting, try this, backward goal-setting. This is like starting at the finish line and working your way backward. What we are doing is reverse-engineer success. - Start at the End: Know where you want to land. - Break It Down: Slice your goal into bite-sized chunks. For example, if you want to write a book, divide that into multiple tasks. The initial draft, the cover, receiving feedback, etc. It is all about giving yourself visibility on actionable tasks.

Setting short-term goals can create a roadmap for your career journey, especially when long-term plans are hazy. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, you might aim to learn a new skill or gain experience in a particular area within the next six months. Achieving these goals can build momentum and confidence, leading to greater clarity about your long-term aspirations.

In today's dynamic job market, skills and competencies are your most valuable assets. Every experience, whether in a job or in your personal life, adds tools to your belt. Keeping yourself updated, embracing new learning opportunities, and seeking feedback from trusted sources are vital steps in continuously enhancing your skill set and staying competitive. It's all about enjoying the journey of lifelong learning and growth while expanding your horizons beyond your comfort zone.

One of the best ways to learn new skills is to start a side project or side hustle. We learn by doing, so give yourself the opportunity to do more. This can be considered an experiment. Not only will you learn new skills, but you will discover whether a new line of work (or direction) is aligned with your desires.

Apart from gaining new skills in order to stay relevant to the market and meet the ever-changing demands, it is as crucial to leverage your already existing skill set and turn it into your unique asset. You do that by establishing new connections between your unique experiences, your skills and capabilities. How can you combine your experience teaching English abroad with your profession as a UX Designer and your passion for art? What could you bring to the table when you combine the knowledge of your Psychology studies with your 5-year Marketing expertise and your tech savvyness? Try to find intersections, new combinations and connections, and turn your existing skills into your skill USP.

One of the main reasons why we sometimes get confused about our career plans and paths is because we want to do it alone. Mentorship is a huge part of getting to a final destination (which isnt final anyway). At every stage of your career or professional growth, one needs mentorship. Mostly mentors are people who have achieved way better than you and know the ins and outs of your industry. Mentors serve as your guardian angels who look out for you in choices and certain important career choices and most mentors going all out to find more opportunities for you. We all need mentors to seek continuous guidance from.

Surround yourself with other trusted mentors, coaches, guides. Ask for help and support when needed. However, nothing Trumps going to the SOURCE for yourself. Let Go. Get Quiet. Breathe. Go Within. Be Still and Know. The answer will present itself. Then, Take Action and Trust The Process.

Embrace flexibility, remember that career paths are rarely linear, and it's okay to change directions along the way. Embrace flexibility and be open to new opportunities that may arise. Sometimes, unexpected experiences can lead to fulfilling and rewarding career paths.

In my experience a powerful habit to reach your desired goals is to write them down every morning and again before bedtime when you're listing soome of the things in your life that you're grateful for. Keep your eye on the ball. Check in with yourself to make sure the actions you're taking still serve you and your desired outcome.

Be open to seeing the uncertainty of your career journey as an opportunity for personal growth and development. It's understandable to feel uncomfortable not having every step planned out—allow yourself to be ok with that. If you're seeking more meaningful work, identify issues that are important to you, then reflect on how your unique skills, talents, and resources can help address it. Engaging with what truly matters to you can lead to meaningful experiences that gradually shape your career. Trust that your path will unfold organically as you continue to learn, adapt, and pivot according to your discoveries.

With the world changing at its current pace and being a Gen Z myself, it is okay to have doubts or confusion on your long-term plan. I know I have had my moments of doubt and imposter syndrome! One approach that's really made a difference for me is embracing experimentation. Write down a list of 20 things you're interested in pursuing, then identify the top 5 that excite you the most and tackle them one by one, starting with your favorite. If one pursuit doesn't resonate with you, simply move on to the next. That’s when we understand ourselves better; but more importantly, that’s how we learn and diversify our experience and knowledge; and become more confident in our abilities!