Speaking with a recent college graduate, Aunt Josie asked what her future career plans were. The young college grad shrugged and indicated that she really did not know how to go about looking for a meaningful career in the area for which she had received a degree. Aunt Josie then asked her to identify her fantasy career five or six years into the future. This, the grad could imagine readily. Aunt Josie then asked whether the young woman could think of any intermediate steps toward achieving her career goals. With some prodding, at least two preliminary measures were identified. After the two preliminary measures were identified, other supplemental activities easily arose in the mind of the young graduate.
After a serious discussion on the practicalities of arranging to take the necessary steps, where there was once an attitude of resigned impotence, there was now an attitude of hopeful anticipation.
What can be learned from this. Aunt Josie believes that all young people should shoot high when it comes to career goals. They should all have a five-year plan or path laid out as to how to accomplish a portion of their future goal. Any grandiose goal can be broken into much smaller parts or facets that are more easily accomplished. Furthermore, the mere act of attempting to accomplish a portion of one's goal will lead a person into a different place from which an entirely novel or different goal or perspective may emerge.
The master plan, itself, is not half as important as as merely escaping the paralysis negative thinking which accompany inaction. Plans can change, but without a plan it is difficult to motivate oneself to accomplish any important career-related task. If a young person continues to free-float aimlessly, the chances of waking up and working towards something tangible become less and less. So, think big, start small, but start! You won't regret it.
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