To find a new livelihood, most people ask one of the following questions:

• What could I do?
• What should I do?
• What’s the best thing for me to do?

The first three questions will likely take you down the wrong path.

Read on to find out why…

“What could I do?”

This is usually the first question people ask when thinking about going out on their own. Chances are there are hundreds of things that you could do. It may be interesting to consider the possibilities, but it is often more overwhelming than helpful. Whenever ‘could’ comes to mind, the ‘couldn’ts’ rush in closely behind. You and others you talk to can no doubt generate a long list of reasons why you can’t do just about any of the things you’re considering doing.

“What should I do?”

In answering this question, it’s likely that nothing measures up to the expectations you or those around you have for what you should and shouldn’t do. You may never see how you can make what you should do interesting enough to actually follow through and do it. And then of course, once you start thinking about the ‘shoulds’, the ‘shouldn’ts’ are right around the corner. There is always some reason why you shouldn’t do virtually anything you’ll ever think of doing.

“What’s the best thing for me to do?”

This question can lead you into a quagmire of seemingly impossible choices. The search for the perfect venture can be as immobilizing as the world of ‘coulds’ and ‘shoulds’. What might look like the most lucrative choice, for example, might be at odds with what you would most enjoy. Or what you would enjoy most might be too difficult.

The answers to these questions rarely lead to choices that you can wholeheartedly pursue. So ask yourself the only question that you can count on to get you where you want to go.

“What do you really want to do?”

The path to your perfect work lies in honestly answering this question. To create a life of your own, start by considering what you’re really looking for in life. The goal of whatever work you choose to do should be to enable you to achieve what it is you want from life. When you hire yourself, you not only get to define the kind of work you do, but you also get to define the working conditions, the salary, the fringe benefits, the locale, the people you’ll work with, and the type of lifestyle your new job will support. You get to call all the shots. So before trying to figure out what to do, figure out what you’re doing it for. Only then can you build your work around what’s most important to you instead of the other way around.

If you think we can help, we offer counseling.

[maxbutton id=”1″]

Comments and questions on the substance of this blogs are welcome. If you have other questions about this website, please contact me directly for a consulting appointment.