Helping Others Can Reveal Your Next Career Move

Forbes

4 days ago

Business people discussion advisor concept
When you're not feeling completely satisfied in your current role, you'll inevitably begin exploring which professional path might be better. Now, if you're a rather left-brained or logical individual, you might be more inclined to research your way to the answer. To clarify the best option, you might analyze various paths, speak to lots of people, and try to align your next move with the criteria you've set for your professional career.
However, analysis paralysis can quickly set in, leaving you even more confused about what exactly you should do to improve your career situation. One way you can break the cycle is to shift your focus away from yourself and instead find ways to help others, ideally tapping into your unique strengths and interests.
My Moment Of Indecision
Chinese business man working on a laptop looks out the window thinking in a conference room
Long before I became a career consultant running my own business, I was working as a global brand manager for Häagen-Dazs. Working for a well-known brand at an established, reputable company may have seemed like a good place to be. But deep down, I knew I didn't want to spend more of my days trying to get more people to buy more things, especially not ice cream, which isn't exactly good for you.
At the same time, I felt stuck in that confusing stage where you know your current career situation isn't right, but you don't know which role may fit you better. I've always found this to be one of the toughest parts of changing careers: knowing where you don't want to be but having no idea where to go instead.
During confusing moments like this, I've poured plenty of time into online research, informational interviews, and self-assessment tools to figure out how to align my strengths or personality with my ideal profession. However, I eventually realized you can take a different approach that could be more illuminating.
Find Clarity By Serving Others
Advisor going through documentation with client
If you're feeling unsure about where to take your career, consider ways you could serve others with your skills and interests. Sometimes, shifting the focus away from yourself and the decision you're trying to make can be clarifying.
In my case, I knew I enjoyed informally mentoring junior colleagues, especially those who weren't on my immediate team, which freed me from the typical managerial obligations of doing performance evaluations. So I eventually spoke with my manager about formalizing one of those mentoring relationships. Coincidentally, she had already picked up on this natural interest of mine, and she was completely on board.
I found the mentoring so energizing and eventually started seeking out more coaching opportunities. This is what planted the seed in me to eventually pursuing professional career consulting. Looking back, that clarity came from me finding some sort of an outlet to serve others stemming from my own natural interests.
Take Small Actions During Uncertain Moments
Coworkers discussing over clipboard
Sometimes, when you focus less on analyzing and more on doing, you'll slowly uncover new answers. If you're unsure where to start, consider ways to tap into your natural strengths. Maybe there's been a persistent interest you've held for quite some time that you could just explore. Or maybe you have a particular skill that you feel has been underutilized over the years that you would like to share with others.
Here are some concrete examples of small projects or activities that may allow you to leverage your natural strengths, technical skills, or functional skills, without being excessively time-consuming or overwhelming.
Engage In Small Explorations
Two Creative Colleagues Using Laptop to Discuss Work
The journey out of any sort of career, limbo, or state of uncertainty is often messy and full of trial and error. But often, the answers were searching for don't come from more thinking or analyzing. They come from rolling up your sleeves, focusing on ways to serve others, and offering value that leverages your unique strengths, skills, and motivations.
You don't have to make a huge commitment to any sort of side hustle. That kind of pressure may not be helpful when the whole idea is just to explore and engage in activities more enjoyable to you.
Ask yourself what small contribution you could make today that offers a bit of value to someone else. You might just uncover a clue that helps you piece together the next natural step in your career.