There are many things that might shape your answer to this question. It is loaded with expectation and possibility, and often comes with freely dispensed advice, influence or pressure. At FindMyWhy we are here to help you get to the heart of what you want to be, and how to make it happen.
I always knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. You could ask me at any moment in my childhood and teens, and I’d answer with unswerving commitment. All well and good, except for two things; it was never the same answer from one week to the next, nor could I present a robust case for my choice of the moment. There was the ‘doctor phase’ (because both my parents were doctors), the ‘lawyer phase’ (because I’d watched the 80’s equivalent of ‘Suits’ on TV), the ‘fashion buyer’ phase (because I like shopping). I rest my case.
By luck, not judgement, I’ve landed on my feet. I do none of those jobs now – and I love what I do. But it could have gone so wrong. I’d have definitely failed to reach med school, on both academic and squeamish grounds. Law is a better place without me. And I’d have been hopeless at buying fashion with anyone other than myself in mind.
Career Advice; Putting it in the Context of You
In truth, the only agenda that matters is yours, and at FindMyWhy we’re here to help you create it. Our online psychometric questionnaire is designed to help you find your own answers, and ultimately carve out a future that is tailor-made to your strengths and values, and fits you like a glove.
We recognise that our working lives are shaped from a very young age, and this can lead to mind boggling confusion, at best, or unsuitable choices, at worst. Vocational careers generally require an early stage commitment in terms of school subject choices. Non-vocational roles might simply be ‘fallen into’ with little purpose or long-term strategy. And for some people it can feel as if they’re steered down a particular path, perhaps with little mind towards how this might align with their personal ambitions and values; an inherited family business, a vocational tradition passed down the generations, or an educational establishment that comes loaded with certain professional expectations. Advice flows from all corners, as does pressure to conform, deliver or achieve in particular ways, and it isn’t always easy to filter. Putting that advice in the context of you – your values, your purpose, your dreams – is the only thing that will help you decide which advice to take and which to leave, or to stand up for what you want rather than what others expect of you.
Defining Your Values, Goals & Dreams
It’s never too early to figure out what defines you. In fact, arguably, the earlier you do it in life, the better. The greater your personal insight, the better set up you are to make sound decisions (some of those key early adulthood decisions included) that will set you on the path to a future you will love and thrive in, rather than settle for and struggle at. So, before you answer the question, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’, we invite you to take a step back and work out who you are at the deepest level – your values, goals and dreams – as well as understanding your skills, strengths and preferences. Once you know that, it’ll become so much easier to identify the right career choices, and approach them with confidence and clarity.
FindMyWhy – The Free Personal Purpose Project
FindMyWhy is a free, online personal purpose project designed specifically to help you identify and create a life and a career that you love. FindMyWhy starts as an online psychometric test and results in tailored reports providing valued insight into you in your personal life and working preferences. It will help you to clearly articulate your greatest strengths and your core values, giving meaning and purpose to the decisions you make that will shape your future. You will see how you are unique and how you shine, what motivates you – and what doesn’t, helping you to identify your core goals and carve a pathway to getting there. With FindMyWhy, you will get to know yourself better than you ever have before, seeing yourself in a new light and seeing how others perceive you – often the biggest surprise of all.
You will receive access to complementary bespoke toolkits and professional resources, all of which are fully mobile and tablet enabled, meaning you can access them anywhere anytime. And you can download all the documents to keep forever – from guidance and support on filtering down your career choices, to creating a knockout cv, networking with confidence, and much more besides.
With FindMyWhy, you’ll gain real and valuable insight to help steer your decisions. You’ll know what you want, why you want it, and why you’ll be good at it. And what’s more, you’ll be able to clearly articulate all of this to everyone who plays a significant part in enabling and creating opportunities for you; from educational mentors and institutions, to potential employers, and, of course personal influencers such as family and friends.
You can visit our website to learn more and see testimonials from others who have already tried it and loved it. Use FindMyWhy to take the guess work out of your life and career decisions and take the first step towards a truly fulfilling future.