A Brave Way to Start a New Career: Or Just Pulse Check Your Existing One by Anita Kanti
It’s normal and healthy to question your career. Many avoid this because they worry it might hurt their job or finances. Still, thinking about your path is an important part of growing, whether you’re just out of college, in the middle of your career, or nearing retirement.
These days, many people have different interests and side jobs. It’s rare to stay in one role or use just one skill for your whole career. As companies change quickly, people often switch jobs, get promoted, change fields, or face layoffs.
Having a growth mindset and strong emotional skills can help you navigate career uncertainty. Sometimes, feeling unsure motivates us to solve problems or try something new. Other times, it can leave us feeling stuck. If that happens, it might be time to focus your energy on a new direction. Begin by taking some time to reflect and check in with yourself. The following three suggestions may be of value:
Try doing your own personal performance review. If you’ve been in your job for at least a year, this can be a helpful way to reflect. This review isn’t from your employer—it’s one you make to look at your own growth, happiness, and goals. You can write in a journal, use a spreadsheet, or just jot down notes. Think about what you enjoyed, what felt meaningful, and what didn’t. Over time, you’ll notice patterns that can help guide your next steps.
Try a project that brings you joy. It doesn’t matter if it makes money; the goal is to find talents you can use in your career. Most of us have something we’re curious about, even if it seems unusual. Start a personal project you’re interested in, like building an app, cooking for a small catering business, or writing a blog. Notice if these activities make you feel motivated and fulfilled.
Ask for feedback. Mentors, professors, or supervisors can help by providing feedback on your strengths and where you seem most engaged. Sometimes others see your skills and enthusiasm more clearly than you do. Choose people who give honest and helpful advice.
Picture your ideal career. Figuring out what you’re good at can be hard for many people. But it’s important if you want to make real changes and grow. Focus on what matters. Think about activities where you feel confident and capable. Ask yourself, when do you feel most effective, and what does success mean to you? Imagine a day in your perfect role. What job do you have? What kind of environment are you in? Who are you with? Most importantly, how do you feel? Define what this looks like for you, including how it fits your interests and lifestyle.
Embark on learning. This is critical for positive change. Engaging in online courses, microlearning on YouTube, or going back to school will develop and strengthen your next set of talents.
Reflect on past experiences. Note when you felt fulfilled or happy in your work, and when contributing with others or individually toward a meaningful goal.
When you feel “in flow” at work, on a new project, or while learning a skill, you experience real engagement and excitement. These moments show your true talents and where you can use them. This process takes time, so be patient and kind to yourself.
It takes courage to keep going, try different ways of learning, and find what works best for you. Being willing to learn from mistakes and keep going through uncertainty is key to making any brave career change, and the above self-reflection, followed by action, can help you determine whether you are good where you are or how to start your next venture.
As a certified coach and female powerhouse, Anita Kanti empowers clients to navigate life transitions, strengthen relationships, and advance their careers through personalized, results-driven strategies. With extensive experience in career advisory coaching and talent recruitment at leading corporations like Samsung, Huawei, Broadcom, and Nvidia, Anita brings a wealth of industry knowledge to her coaching practice at AnitaKCoaching.