It's Okay to Not Have It All Figured Out

Hello Everyone!

Ever feel like life is passing you by and you still aren't where you want to be professionally? 

Think back to when you picked your college major. Did you imagine you'd be exactly where you are right now? Chances are, your answer is probably "no." And guess what? You're not alone.

We’re often sold the idea that our professional lives will follow a neat, predictable path, but as we all know, this rarely happens. I read an interesting statistic that only 27% of college graduates have a career closely related to their majors.

If you read between the lines of that statistic, it's actually great news. Why? Because it means you're allowed to change your mind - and still find success.

Why Career Changes Happen

When I did my MBA, there were a number of students who were career changers. I learned that people switch careers for countless reasons. Some find out they don't like the industry they initially chose (no shame - how were you supposed to know?). Others crave better work-life balance or find a profession more aligned with their passions and interests. In fact, there was a LinkedIn survey that stated about 61% of U.S. professionals are seriously considering changing careers, and many already have.

Take comfort knowing this is normal. Life evolves, and so should your career.

Crossroads...

"Rushab, changing careers is scary because what if it doesn't work out?"

I get it, being at a crossroads feels daunting. It’s easy to lose confidence when you don’t have all the answers or when you're unsure about what's next. But here's a different perspective: these crossroads represent opportunities. You’re standing at the brink of possibility, a chance to pursue something new, something exciting, or simply something better suited to the life you want to live.

Research shows that many career changers report feeling happier after making the switch, even if they initially had doubts. Why? Because they moved from worrying about what "should be" to exploring what "could be."

Regret vs. Risk

There's a powerful truth here: people often regret the chances they didn't take more than the risks they did. Crossroads invite you to live without "what-ifs." Sure, not every choice pans out perfectly. Sometimes it takes two or three tries - or even more - to find the right fit. But each attempt is valuable because you're learning more about yourself and building resilience.

So, how should you approach your crossroads?

• Reflect honestly: Think about what's important to you. Is it flexibility, passion, money, or a sense of purpose? Your priorities today might not be the same as when you first graduated.

• Explore fearlessly: If you're curious about something, lean into that curiosity. Talk to people in those roles, do informational interviews, or even take short courses to test the waters.

• Embrace uncertainty: It’s okay not to have all the answers. Embrace the unknown as an essential part of your growth. You'll be amazed at what doors open when you stop fixating on the "right" path and start considering new possibilities.

Parting Words

If you’re feeling unsure about your career, that's perfectly normal. It doesn't mean you've failed or you're falling behind - it means you're paying attention. Life and careers aren't meant to be linear. They're meant to evolve.

Instead of being paralyzed by what you think you "should" be doing, allow yourself to get excited about what "could" be. Your career isn’t a single destination - it’s a journey with plenty of adventures ahead. Do your best to enjoy the ride!

Have a great beginning to your week!

Thought Of The Week

A weekly thought to meditate, ruminate, and/or ponder on:

"If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello."

- Paulo Coelho

If you are interested in improving your interviewing, communication and confidence skills, schedule a call with me or learn more about my coaching here. And if you haven't yet, subscribe to The Confidence Weekly Newsletter here.