How to Pick a Career (That Actually Fits You)

Ali Abdaal2 minutes read

Individuals feeling trapped in unfulfilling jobs can build a meaningful career without drastic changes by reflecting on personal motivations, values, and strengths, exploring different paths, engaging in genuine networking, and seeking mentorship for career advancement. Helen Tupper's seven tips aim to guide individuals in finding fulfilling roles that align with their desires and values, emphasizing the importance of collective confidence and supporting each other in pursuing fulfilling opportunities.

Insights

  • Helen Tupper emphasizes the importance of aligning personal happiness and motivations with career decisions, steering individuals away from unfulfilling roles that drain energy.
  • The significance of networking and mentorship in career advancement is highlighted, stressing the need for genuine conversations with potential mentors and the value of collective confidence in overcoming challenges and pursuing fulfilling opportunities.

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Recent questions

  • How can I find fulfillment in my career?

    By reflecting on personal happiness, values, and strengths.

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Summary

00:00

"Escape Unfulfilling Jobs: Find Meaningful Career"

  • Many individuals feel trapped in unfulfilling jobs that drain their energy, leading to a sense of wasting time and life.
  • Building a meaningful career without drastic life changes is possible, as discussed by career expert Helen Tupper in her book "The Squiggly Career."
  • Seven tips and insights from Helen aim to guide individuals in determining their career goals and paths.
  • Tip 1: Reflect on personal happiness and motivations before making career decisions to ensure alignment with desires.
  • Tip 2: Play the values game to identify core beliefs and needs in work, helping in career decision-making.
  • Tip 3: Avoid falling for "shiny objects" like status or big salaries that may not lead to true fulfillment in a job.
  • Tip 4: Switch your perspective on strengths and weaknesses, focusing on tasks that energize rather than skills you excel at.
  • Tip 5: Be career curious by exploring various career possibilities through conversations and observations.
  • Tip 6: Consider lateral career moves within your current workplace to find fulfilling roles that align with your values and strengths.
  • Tip 7: Engage in networking not as a formal event but as genuine conversations with people in roles of interest to gain insights and clarity on potential career paths.

11:17

"Effective Mentorship: Articulate, Appreciate, Support"

  • Helen provides advice on finding a mentor for career advancement, emphasizing the importance of articulating requests effectively to potential mentors.
  • When seeking mentorship, it is crucial to explain why you are approaching a specific individual, highlighting how their expertise can benefit you.
  • Following up with mentors and acting on their suggestions is essential to show appreciation for their time and advice.
  • Collective confidence is key in career development, as everyone faces confidence issues or "Gremlins," and supporting each other can help overcome these challenges and pursue fulfilling opportunities.
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