Photo by Joshua McKenty

If you’re contemplating what to do with your career and feeling confused, you’re in good company.  I talk to a lot of very bright, accomplished individuals and the majority are confused about how to transform or change their careers.

There are many good reasons for this state of confusion.  Most of my clients are physicians and while this career path is not easy, it is very straightforward.  The hoops one has to jump through are many and rather challenging, but they are at least well-defined.  If you can make it through each hoop, you know where you’ll end up. However, when the decision is made to open the door to new career options, figuring out the possibilities and the path often becomes overwhelming.

Questions such as these can start swirling around in the mind without obvious answers:

Venturing into career change territory can feel like being dropped in a foreign country without a map, flashlight or known destination.

What is the way out of this confusion?

When I work with clients, I help them to connect with their internal GPS: what it is they want, what matters to them, what they are passionate about.  During this phase, we don’t worry about the “HOW.” Trying to figure it all out too soon can cause one to dismiss some great possibilities. Then we go through a structured process that clarifies values, skills and abilities, and work preferences, creating an individualized “Personal Career Template.”   As different career options are considered, this template is used to assess whether or not the job is a good fit.  Networking comes in very handy both in researching various kinds of jobs and actually being hired.  Since doctors are often not that familiar with networking, it can be confusing at first how to make appropriate and helpful contacts.

Sometimes physicians are struggling with certain issues, such as interpersonal conflict, time management, severe anxiety etc., and are thinking that they have to get out of medicine because of one of these problems.  With appropriate help, it is often possible that these challenges can be addressed and an alternative career is not needed.

My recommendation if you are experiencing career confusion is to be willing to take the time to go through a structured process to make your desired changes.  Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask the million dollar question,