VOLUMEGUIDE 2

When it comes to your future, the stakes can feel pretty high. College, career, and beyond all of these choices will have a lasting impact on the direction of your life. Figuring out which path to take is no easy task. It’s one of the most stressful points in anyone’s life. There are so many factors to consider when choosing a career or schooling path that it can be overwhelming. Are you ready for the responsibilities that come with a new job? Do you know what sort of lifestyle an advanced degree might bring? Do you have an accurate idea of how much money you need to reach your goals? Read on for tips about how to make sure you’re making the right choice about your future:

Gather as much information as possible

The first step in making any decision is to gather as much information as possible. In the case of a life-altering choice like choosing a career or school path, you’ll want to do more than a cursory Google search — you’ll want to read as much as you can, from as many sources as possible. This might include reading books, articles, and surveys about different careers. It might include researching online forums where people discuss the pros and cons of their particular field. Online forums in particular can be great for getting a sense of what people’s day-to-day experiences are like in a particular job. They might be able to give you an inside perspective that books and articles can’t provide. By gathering as much information as possible, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision about what path to take.

Check the math

One of the most important parts of making any decision is making sure you can afford to do what you want to do. When you’re choosing a career, this can include things like estimating the cost of education, the cost of living in a particular area, and the average income you can expect out of that career path. If you’re planning on going to school, estimate the cost of your degree. Take into account any loans you might need to take out to cover the cost, as well as the projected job opportunities of people with your degree in your area. You might want to build a financial model to help you think through your future financial situation. A financial model is a way of mapping out your projected future income and expenses to help you understand how all of these factors will impact your daily life.

Talk to people who’ve been there

Gathering information is great, but it doesn’t replace the value of getting first-hand accounts from people who have walked the path you’re considering. If you’re unsure about what the job you want to do will be like daily, talk to people who do that job. You can check out online forums where people discuss their jobs and even attend meetups for people in your area who do the same thing. Talking to people who do a job every day is a great way to get a more accurate idea of what the job is actually like and whether it’s right for you. You should also consider talking to people who have achieved the goals you’re aiming for. Are you trying to decide between going back to school or finding a job? Talk to people who have been where you want to be and have achieved the goals you want to achieve. You can find people like this through online forums and support groups, as well as by reaching out to your family and friends for advice.

Take an ethical inventory of your values

Another important part of making any decision is being honest with yourself about your values. Throughout the process of gathering information and talking to people who have been there, you should take time to reflect on your personal values. What are the most important things to you? What do you value in a career or schooling path? What lifestyle do you want to lead? You might find that your values are in line with your original plans, or you might decide that they’re not. Either way, making sure you’re honest with yourself about what’s important to you will help you make a decision that’s right for you.

Make a plan to test your decision

One of the best ways to be sure that the decision you come to is the right one is to test it. One of the best ways to do this is to create a timeline for your decision. By creating a timeline for your decision, you can visualize exactly how long each path will take. You can also see potential pitfalls that might come with each path. In the case of choosing a career or schooling path, you might want to incorporate a trial run into your timeline. This is a great way to get an idea of what it’s like to actually do the job you want to do. You can also try to simulate the lifestyle that comes with a particular path. If you’re considering a career that requires lots of travel, try to simulate that in your daily life. If you’re thinking about going back to school, try to simulate what it will be like to have that added responsibility in your life.

Make a plan to test your decision

One of the best ways to be sure that the decision you come to is the right one is to test it. One of the best ways to do this is to create a timeline for your decision. By creating a timeline for your decision, you can visualize exactly how long each path will take. You can also see potential pitfalls that might come with each path. In the case of choosing a career or schooling path, you might want to incorporate a trial run into your timeline. This is a great way to get an idea of what it’s like to do the job you want to do. You can also try to simulate the lifestyle that comes with a particular path. If you’re considering a career that requires lots of travel, try to simulate that in your daily life. If you’re thinking about going back to school, try to simulate what it will be like to have that added responsibility in your life.

Conclusion

No matter what path you choose for your future, there will be moments of uncertainty and stress. There will be times when you feel like you’re making the wrong decision. There will be times when you feel like you don’t have enough information to make the best choice. These are normal moments in life. They’re a part of being human and coming of age. Remember that your choice doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be the best decision for you.