One of the questions I often get asked is how to identify the best option to carry out a project, whether personal or professional. It is a difficult question to answer at such a general level because we each have our needs, priorities and concept of success.
There are times when you are clear about what you want to do and you just need to know how, but other times what you want is a change, is to start a new project and you want to identify the best option before taking the leap. In my opinion the problem itself is that mentality, that of wanting to find the best before making a change. For several reasons:
- If you don't have a crystal ball, neither you nor anyone else will know what is really the best ahead of time. Aspiring the best will make you have too high expectations, not be realistic and let perfectionism keep you paralyzed. Sometimes different options can be equally good. Consider the possibility of feeling happy and fulfilled doing very different things. For example, as a scientist I felt professionally fulfilled, but now I also feel like a coach and mentor, something that is completely different. They are very different professions and both have their pros and cons, which does not mean that I cannot be happy and feel fulfilled with both, even if they involve different things.
Apart from these three reasons why it is not good to think like this, there are things that you can take into account so that taking the jump makes you less afraid. Of course, be clear that you will always have doubts and fears, they are part of the way and pretending that they disappear will only make you continue without advancing. As I always say, you have to move forward despite fear and doubts, not wait for them to disappear. What you can do is:
- Determine which of the projects you are considering matches the lifestyle you want. Since you are going to make changes, the result fits what you want. Also think about which of them makes you especially excited, so that it is worth it for you and just try. Obviously we all want it to turn out well, but as I tell you, no one can assure you, so at least it is something that you are excited to do and that it will be worth it no matter what happens. market research and gather information to make sure it is something for which there is demand. That is essential, talking to people and listening to what they really want, not what you think they want.To start a new professional project you can talk to people who are already dedicated to it to find out first-hand what it is like to live in that profession and what it implies. Get all the practical information possible, compare it with your current situation and what you want from your career and lifestyle, prepare yourself (training, mentoring, whatever it takes) and take the first step.
As I have already said many times, staying on the theoretical plane, thinking and thinking, can help you to a certain extent; but there comes a time when you have to do something, you have to take a risk and if it convinces you, you go ahead, and if not, you make changes.
Many people will say that they cannot afford to make changes or back down, so one of the steps is to analyze your current situation because it is not always the time, sometimes you have to wait a little.
What is clear is that if you launch you have to do it convinced and not giving up almost before starting. It is always said that there is no better time than now, sometimes it is true, but other times, in my opinion, it is better to be cautious and wait a little. But not with arms crossed, complaining, but taking steps to advance your situation. Make your situation temporary, not an excuse for not doing what you want.
If this is your situation now, where are you going to start?
