The Danger of Pursuing a Career for the Wrong Reasons

Choosing a career can be a difficult decision for many people. This does not simply go for young aspiring professionals but anyone who is looking for a change. Changing careers can be more difficult as you get older, as your responsibilities may have grown to include dependents. Regardless of your obligations or beliefs that you need to follow what others may want for you, choosing a career and what you want to spend most of your adult life pursuing is your decision. I have witnessed many young aspiring professionals choose the wrong career for themselves; below are some of the main reasons why they decided. Remember, when choosing a career, ensure you choose it for the right reasons, not out of fear or to please others.

What are the wrong reasons for choosing a career, and why??

????????????Chasing security without doing the proper research. The truth is that there is very little security in the world anymore. Government pensions are not what they used to be, and unions don't offer the same guarantee they once did. The Corporate world is changing at a record rate; therefore, I caution you if you choose a career based on what you see as a 'safe bet.' There are no safe bets or guarantees anymore. Dynasty corporations, or the 'blue chip' companies that have been guaranteed for decades, are not turning around the same profits as they once did. New corporations that didn't exist 20 years ago are taking over. The number one career to pursue job security in 10 years may not even exist today. Social media has opened the world to opportunity for an ambitious entrepreneur who wants to establish themselves in the business world without being dependent on a large company or a formal education. Bands and musicians no longer need a record label to sell records and tour. Writers no longer need a publishing company to publish and market their books. This can all be done by a computer at home, through social media and by ambitious people who want to hustle. The world is changing; the only safe bet is to get comfortable with change and learn to be adaptable.

I originally wrote this post when I was 38 weeks pregnant with my first child. Five years ago, I would have strongly encouraged my child to pursue formal education. These days, I'm not so sure. Formal education is expensive and dated… and the world seems to be changing at a rate that I am no longer convinced formal education is the correct route; it certainly is not the only route. In the past, a degree provided more security. I caution you if you are going to college to have security or are unsure what you want to do with your life. Getting an education is never bad if you are learning, but you can learn without going into extreme debt. Education comes in many forms such as travelling or working; you can figure out what you enjoy doing before you decide to spend money you don't have. If you are going into debt for your education, ensure you have done the proper research and know this is what you want. There is no glory in being in extreme debt, and you still have no answers for what you want to do.

????????????To satisfy someone else other than yourself. Picking your career is a time to be selfish, as your happiness may depend on this decision. Pursuing a career for someone else is dangerous, as it can become a timely and costly sacrifice. For example, if you are becoming a doctor to satisfy your parents' dream… this will be a difficult and timely journey. Ten or more years of studying and residency only to begin the actual career. I am not willing to dedicate a decade to satisfy someone else's desires. Parents love their children, but they don't always know what's best for them… they too, can be compromised. Many parents make their decisions based on love or fear, or both. They may genuinely believe they are helping you find your destiny, but they don't always listen. It's their job to make you a tax-paying honourable member of society, and this can make them blind to the advice they're giving you. It is hard to go against your family's wishes, especially depending on your cultural norms, but this is your life, and even though your parents gave you life… they are not entitled to live it.?

????????????Choosing a career simply because you are good at it, but do you even enjoy it??Picking a career based on your strengths may seem wise; it is certainly a safer bet than chasing something you are average at. Why pursue music when you are an average guitar player? Where math and science, you're in the top 1%, so becoming a scientist or engineer makes more sense. This may seem logical, but your passion and dreams may not always be logical. When choosing to pursue a dream, many times, logic shouldn't play a variable. Big deal if you're an average guitar player. There have been thousands of songs written with three chords… not everyone needs to be Jimmy Page to write a hit song. Lyrics, melody and structure play essential parts in writing music, and you may be excellent in those areas… talent and passion generally go hand and hand. Still, the great thing about talent is you can develop talent and abilities through practice, hard work and pure determination. With practice and hard work, you can become better at something, and if you are passionate about it, you are more likely to practice and put in the time needed to improve. Never be na?ve and think you don't need to work hard for a dream. To be successful, you will need to work hard, work smart and put in the time. By choosing something you love and are passionate about, you'll be more likely to put in the time and enjoy your time spent.

????????????Allowing your ego to chase what you think you want… a prodigious title, a fancy school, money??A corporate attorney can make a good salary, but it's a difficult position which requires long hours, higher education, extreme attention to detail and many disagreements… I've witnessed two lawyers argue over one word in a contract for a week straight… one word. It pays well because most people don't want to do it and don't have the discipline to be good at it. Ensure you know what you're signing up for when you choose a career based on money and other titles. Access to money and security is important; if you need these things, ensure you know the difference between a need and a want. A need is a necessity, and a want is a 'nice to have.' When choosing a career, ensure you have well-thought-out goals, and you chase what you need first. If you want wealth, it can come from many places; it is usually a result of the journey. Be mindful if you chase empty goals. What makes you think you will enjoy the prize if you don't enjoy the journey? You may find when you pursue empty goals that you feel empty when you get to the result; this is a trap many fall into, and the endless chase begins, of the grass is always greener, "if I have that, I will be happy…" Ensure your ego is not making critical life choices for you.

The danger of pursuing a career for the wrong reasons is that you may be trekking down the wrong path, and the destiny that you should have will elude you. Following the wrong career may be part of the learning process; therefore, don't be discouraged if you find yourself at an impasse or a perceived dead-end. You may have thought you were following your dream and passion, only to find out this led to dissatisfaction. This is ok. Learning what you don't want to do is important for your self-awareness and can contribute to finding out what you want.

Remember, pursuing the career of your choice should lead to happiness and fulfillment; if it doesn't, use your happiness as a gage; if you're regularly unhappy, you will need to change. It takes courage to make the necessary changes for your happiness, especially if you conflict with people you care about. A career is a long game; you may need to correct it after your first attempt, have the patience and maturity to learn from your mistakes, then re-adjust and try again.

#worklessons101