Finding a career path is hard to do. If you’re like me, and you don’t strike it rich fresh out of college, you might get stuck in this place of lacking belief in yourself. Of course your time will come, same as mine, but time still has to pass to get there. In the meantime while we wait for a breakthrough, here is a list of some of the things I am doing to maintain forward progress while I wait.

READING BOOKS

• Sounds entirely too simple right? Of course it is but get this…for someone who has a degree in a field that is NOTHING but reading essentially (Sociology), reading for leisure can be just as much of a drag as doing it for class. You can get burnt out quick. Since I have been away from college, the necessity to read such lengthy and information heavy texts no longer exists and I can actually spend time enjoying a nice piece of literature as it was intended. Reading no longer feels like work, it is quite enjoyable more times than not. Not just that but my natural instinct is to highlight and take notes while I read anyways, now I am just doing them with stories I enjoy. I found that re-establishing a positive relationship with reading has been a catalyst for feeling like I can overcome the difficulties of trying to find a career. Reading gives me ideas and perspectives to consider, but also reading different genres than what I have been use to has allowed me to open up perspectives as well. I say when in doubt, pick up a good book, or a few. If you have a good enough relationship with reading and have the attention span to stay still, take some good notes from a book you enjoy and see if that doesn’t spark some level of action or inspire some new ideas for you.

GETTING IN SHAPE

• Yet another obvious answer. Seriously though, ACTIVELY being in shape is a significant way to have some forward progress in whatever path you are going into. Sure, having great muscles might not land you a gig (who knows, it might), but the mental benefits of exercise have a direct impact on the quality of your mind and your life as a whole. Literally look better and feel better, and if you feel better, you’re more likely to do better. Now I totally understand that there is not a scientific study I can quote that can substantiate that more than just my own opinion, but for just this one time, take my word for it. If you push your brain and body to be on the same accord and make a routine of exercise, you’ll be primed to use those same behaviors towards your interests, and certainly your work.

SLEEP

• Absolutely underrated selection. This day and age of hustle culture might have you believing that you need to feel guilty for not constantly being on the grind. That’s ridiculous. Yeah you don’t need to slack off and miss your opportunities but you’ll do your best work in most things when you’re well rested. Not getting enough sleep is not only detrimental to your long term health but you literally cannot focus and get the chemistry of your body right when you don’t sleep. Everyone has their own sleeping pattern that works for them and allows them to succeed, but do not neglect to take care of that pattern. 

DECOMPRESSION

• This entire process could be very stressful. Finding time to step away and recalibrate your body’s ability to function is paramount. You can pull yourself up every day as much as you want to but eventually your body will force you into a break if you don’t take one. We all need time to breath and focus on just our selves. This could be in the form of a meditation practice, treating yourself to some treat or an activity, or even any of the previously mentioned activities I mentioned. Whatever is your speed, take the time and get unwound from all the work you are doing. Not only will the distressing be good for your body in the moment but you when you do get back into working on your tasks, you’ll be fresh and renewed, ready to tackle whatever is in front of you with a full bar of health and some confidence.

Simple list right? I know, I agree. That’s the point. The controllable parts of your process are the ones that seem to be the most forgettable. These are the ones that it is easy to put off to do later because you have more pressing needs, places to be. Everyone has been there and the way society works these days, you’ll work yourself to the bone before you take a break. Hard work is required in basically everything but in those moments where you have to sit back and re-evaluate, where you are without work, or just needing to change your pace, these simple tasks are a great start. It won’t answer all your questions, it might not even put a new job/career in front of you. What it will do is get you ready for the journey ahead, or to continue the journey you’re on. I am no professional and this is not backed by any studies that I know of but from my own personal experiences, I have found that these few things fuel me back to life when change is happening in my life. Hopefully, these same things can help you too!