Top 7 Steps Towards Finding Your Ideal Career (Or Business)

Want a career (or business) that brings a smile to your heart? Don't know exactly what that career might be? This Top 7 contains a list of ideas that can start you on your way. Make the process fun by scheduling a visit to your favorite place -- beach, mountain, whatever -- where you can compile your lists and daydream too!

Six years ago, I completed the process described below by trial and error or was it error and error! I didn't have a non-biased person such as my coach or a consultant to support and assist me in the process. I made up the process as I went along. You are much luckier than I was at the time! You have this Top 7 and you know where you can go to hire a coach.

1. Take some assessment tests: personality, skills, etc. I have compiled two lists of free Web-based Assessment Tests for you at www.coachmaria.com/articles.html. Also, check your local colleges, local Continuing Education programs and phone book for career departments, career coaches, career consultants, or career counselors who offer such tests and many helpful services too.

   
   
   
2. Start a new resume. List the first paying job you had and then just start writing all the tasks you performed. You will not be graded on your penmanship...promise! While you're at it, compose a volunteer resume, same format as listed above -- position and tasks you performed.
   
   
3. Create a list of what you have done as a volunteer at school. If you're a mom and/or wife, (or dad and/or husband) add lists for those areas too! We're putting together a "this is your life resume!" Then write a list of every career you've ever thought you might enjoy since you were 5 years old (ages 6-10 are extremely important!)
   
   
4. Now go back to your first list and cross off every task, on any of your lists, that drove you crazy, or you couldn't stand doing, or promises yourself you'd never do again! Ask yourself "is this something that I would enjoy doing for 8 hours per day?"
   
   
5. Take a look at what you are left with to see what the patterns are and write the patterns down. For example: Did you enjoy teaching in each paying position you've held and as a volunteer and for play? Does organizing or working with numbers or working with your hands come up in your descriptions time and time again?
   
   

6. If particular positions don't come to mind at first, take a look at the Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook at [http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm] You might also ask people in your support network what careers someone would have if they were doing __________ (the things you enjoy doing). Consider this...you have the perfect life while you are enjoying working. What would you be doing? Or, you won a million dollars and the only stipulation in receiving it is that you'd have to continue working. What would you be working at?

   
   
   
7. Then go find your ideal career (or business)! Or create something wonderful and new!! Take some classes if need be...and above all -- smile ;)

Maria Marsala can be reached at or visited on the Web at www.coachmaria.com. Maria Marsala wants you to know: I am a trained coach, experienced consultant, mentor, teacher and published author. I enjoy working with adults and teens who want to be able to look at the different areas of their lives and feel their hearts smile. The name of my business is "Maria's Place for Holistic Evolution". Come visit my Web site for lots of interesting information!