1) Don’t convince yourself that college is a must

Your career path should not be solely dependent on going to 3rd Level Education as there are many more options available to you nowadays. College/University is not for everyone. The Department of Education and Skills is continuously broadening the apprenticeship options available for example. Ultimately, if what you most enjoy doing and what you will be best at does not require 3rd Level Education then don’t spend the time and money on it. There are many individuals, business owners and entrepreneurs who never went to college and are doing what they love and being successful at it.

2) Don’t live someone else’s life

All too often in life we make decisions based on what other people want instead of what we want. Parents, family members and close friends are the people we turn to when we need help and advice and rightly so. However, if you are vulnerable because you are confused about how to proceed their influence may be unconsciously leading you down a path that is not necessarily for you. Value the advice that people close to you give as they know you best, weigh this up honestly yourself and then decide what is best for you. And don’t even spend a second thinking you are disappointing anyone as they will understand that this decision is yours and they will support you on it.

3) Don’t discuss your plans with everyone you meet

We are all great at giving advice and know exactly what is best for everyone else! The more you talk to people the more advice you will get and the more confused you will become. Find those people close to you who will LISTEN because if people are constantly giving advice they are not listening! You are going to explore different options, give yourself the time and space to explore these without external influences who may limit your options. Once you have reached a conclusion it’s your choice who you tell.

4) Don’t narrow your options to what you see around you

The careers you see around you are not the only careers available. You know this however often options get narrowed unconsciously because of not knowing what else is available. Spending time to find out what your inherent traits are, what tasks and work preferences you enjoy, your interpersonal skills etc. opens potential careers that you may never have known existed. Even if you revert to your original decision this process of exploration only reconfirms that your decision was right and puts you in a much stronger position.

5) Don’t spend weeks/months worrying

Doing as well as you can this year is probably your number one objective. Deciding what’s next, while important, is distracting from study and enjoying your final years in secondary school with your friends. The more we think about a problem the more we get rooted in it and the harder it is to find a solution. Absolutely set time aside to understand your traits, interests and do some quiet soul searching to discover your passions to figure out what’s next for you however try not to let this become all-consuming so that it impacts everything else in your life including your relationships with the people around you. This is where independent help may assist. Working with a Coach can give you this space, time and environment to explore confidentially the options available. The Coach has no “skin-in-the-game” so to speak and will only have your best interests at heart. They can help broaden your perspectives as to opportunities you may not see and assist you in planning your future. By listening and asking powerful questions they will help you understand your behaviours and interests in much greater detail and get you quickly past many of the frustrating elements of this process you are going though. I’d love to hear your comments below or email me directly brendan@peakperformancecoaching.ie