The world is your lobster (The final part)

Where to go? What to do? Who to be?

I would love to be able to give you the answers to all the questions about the right thing for you. Unfortunately, I can't because really, what works for one person will not work for another. But I'd love a shot at suggesting some tools to use to help with your decisions.

First, find the balance between relying on people and their opinions and ignoring them. Think about who you trust, who is invested in you, who cares and has a genuine interest in how your life turns out. Maybe it's also appropriate to ask yourself how much you believe in their wisdom. Have they made good decisions in their lives?

Second, don't discount options because they seem difficult or a bit left field. Don't rush into them either.

Thirdly, work out what is important to you and remember that that is not necessarily what is important to those around you. And that's ok. Is it a place to settle? Is it opportunities to travel? Is it being with a lot of people? Is it constant stimulation? Is it working for justice? What is important in your life?

Do that.

Fourthly, work out what you're good at. This is difficult because often we can't see the things we're incredibly talented at because they just seem like second nature to us. On the other hand, often we think we're good at something till we discover that our singing voice is very different in the shower than it is in front of an audience. Ask other people, people you know will be honest with you. Be prepared to hear truths.

Lastly, work out what you love doing. What can you do and not notice the time go by? I realised I wanted to write one Sunday. I had started writing some thoughts down after lunch and look up, what seemed like 10 minutes later, and realised that it was 9 pm and was pitch black. If you don't know what that thing is, try something new. Or lots of somethings new! I'm not going to say that you will love every job all the time, but it's worth a shot.

The best career advice given to the young is: Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.

Katherine Whitehorn