How do I achieve what I want and will I be happy?

omb0wyn5ehpij9

I know what my aim is in the long run (a nice house with a big garage for working on cars and motorbikes. I would also like a snooker table and gym in the house), but realistically i'm a bit lost at the moment and don't know what to do with my life or how to get to my goals

Obviously these are my goals in monetary value! All usual goals of getting married and having a family also apply here!

Bryn

Bryn wrote: »

I know what my aim is in the long run (a nice house with a big garage for working on cars and motorbikes. I would also like a snooker table and gym in the house), but realistically i'm a bit lost at the moment and don't know what to do with my life or how to get to my goals

Bah! Your like what 25 max! Life is long, and the rougher the ride along the way. They sweeter the spoils of success.

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Moonbaby wrote: »

Bah! Your like what 25 max! Life is long, and the rougher the ride along the way. They sweeter the spoils of success.

True, very true. Just a bit worried as I still don't know what to do with my life and i'm turning 26 next week and I have just finished my second college course!

Snowie

I've been trying to figure out what I could do career wise for about 4 years not really come up with anything I want to do yet, Im 28 next month, Id love to say yep I want to be this or that. but the truth is when I think of it most jobs I think of monogamy and personaly I know I could'nt handle it. Yes there
is earning for a means to live well but I know I'm the type of person who needs to have a job that really interests me. Or maybe a lot of comitment in something I'm good at...But also has to be soicable.
My parents have been great, my dad was my age when he finally decided to become a photographer, and he did really well for him self.

L31mr0d

Bryn wrote: »

True, very true. Just a bit worried as I still don't know what to do with my life and i'm turning 26 next week and I have just finished my second college course!

Very simple task. When you are happy, take note of it, then ask yourself "how can I do this everyday, how can I get paid for doing this".

You also need to wash your mind of all the pressure and opinions that want to get you onto some corporate ladder. You need to just separate your life into 2 categories. A) When am I happy When am I not happy. Work on category A, avoid category B.

Remember, failing at something you are happy to do, is better than succeeding at something your not.

r3nu4l

I just split these posts from the 'Ambition' thread as they are worthy of their own thread imo

omb0wyn5ehpij9

r3nu4l wrote: »

I just split these posts from the 'Ambition' thread as they are worthy of their own thread imo

Thanks r3nu4l!

r3nu4l

I was a lab scientist for years as a PhD student and a post-doctoral scientist. I was tired, disillusioned with career prospects and generally very frustrated at the amount of time I had spent in University compared to the financial and happiness rewards I was receiving.

So I looked for ways to use my education and knowledge in a different career. I knew my science background could get me into other careers and I knew that I liked writing so I decided to become a medical writer. I was 28 when I made that decision!

I work in Medical Communications and my first year on the job was an eye-opener. I had to learn how to approach work with a 'business' mindset and for the first 12 months I failed miserably. I also had a long commute and long working hours that I hated.

So I got a new job in a new agency, closer to where I lived 30-40 min commute I was 30 at this point and worried that I'd made a mistake and that I was never going to get anywhere in my life!!

I read a little bit about 'success in business' and decided to approach my new job with a 'can-do' attitude. It payed off. My bosses liked the attitude, liked the calmness that I approached jobs with and liked how I interacted with clients.

I still use huge amounts of scientific and medical knowledge everyday and keep up to date with developments in several therapeutic areas. I'm now a Director in the company at the age of 34 and it's going great.

Am I happy? Yes, to a point.
I have a wonderful wife, a nice 3-bed semi-d house with a big garden in a nice area and my job is going very, very well. So, it's all great, right?

Well, this is all in the UK and I'd love to live in Ireland so that I could visit family and friends much more often. Moving home presents challenges. Myself and my wife need to get jobs close to one another and we'll have to get another house but will it be as nice as the one we have, in as nice an area? Will we be able to afford houses close to where we work? Will we have to take jobs that are not as good as the ones we have now?

I don't know and that's scary.

I do know however that I have changed career before and did well when I really examined what I wanted. I can do it again. Don't be so worried if you don't know what to do with your life at 25 or 26. Spend some time thinking about what you want and how you might (legitimately) get it

Teferi

I'd be aiming to be happy over just having lovely stuff Bryn Anyway, you just sort-of graduated there so you now have a shiny new degree. Go use it

Snowie

r3nu4l wrote: »

I was a lab scientist for years as a PhD student and a post-doctoral scientist. I was tired, disillusioned with career prospects and generally very frustrated at the amount of time I had spent in University compared to the financial and happiness rewards I was receiving.

So I looked for ways to use my education and knowledge in a different career. I knew my science background could get me into other careers and I knew that I liked writing so I decided to become a medical writer. I was 28 when I made that decision!

I work in Medical Communications and my first year on the job was an eye-opener. I had to learn how to approach work with a 'business' mindset and for the first 12 months I failed miserably. I also had a long commute and long working hours that I hated.

So I got a new job in a new agency, closer to where I lived 30-40 min commute I was 30 at this point and worried that I'd made a mistake and that I was never going to get anywhere in my life!!

I read a little bit about 'success in business' and decided to approach my new job with a 'can-do' attitude. It payed off. My bosses liked the attitude, liked the calmness that I approached jobs with and liked how I interacted with clients.

I still use huge amounts of scientific and medical knowledge everyday and keep up to date with developments in several therapeutic areas. I'm now a Director in the company at the age of 34 and it's going great.

Am I happy? Yes, to a point.
I have a wonderful wife, a nice 3-bed semi-d house with a big garden in a nice area and my job is going very, very well. So, it's all great, right?

Well, this is all in the UK and I'd love to live in Ireland so that I could visit family and friends much more often. Moving home presents challenges. Myself and my wife need to get jobs close to one another and we'll have to get another house but will it be as nice as the one we have, in as nice an area? Will we be able to afford houses close to where we work? Will we have to take jobs that are not as good as the ones we have now?

I don't know and that's scary.

I do know however that I have changed career before and did well when I really examined what I wanted. I can do it again. Don't be so worried if you don't know what to do with your life at 25 or 26. Spend some time thinking about what you want and how you might (legitimately) get it

You know that is so good to hear, most people just fall in to there neash...
where other's take a bit longer but find a job that they enjoy fair play to you man :cool: or do something that may sorta end up, thinking it was bad idea then bam things go brill.

awesome

Tom Dunne

Bryn wrote: »

I know what my aim is in the long run (a nice house with a big garage for working on cars and motorbikes. I would also like a snooker table and gym in the house), but realistically i'm a bit lost at the moment and don't know what to do with my life or how to get to my goals

Ask yourself a few questions - what do you like, what interests you, what can you do, and what can you succeed at (from a career perspective)?

Think short-term for the time being, then look to longer goals.

r3nu4l

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

may sorta end up, thinking it was bad idea then bam things go brill.

For a long time I thought it was the worst decision I'd ever made and if I had continued in my first Medical Communications company I really would have just faded into obscurity. I was very, very unhappy there.

It goes to show how sometimes a change of job, combined with a 'new and improved' attitude can help

As I say however, I am worried about returning to Ireland and getting the right job and nice house etc. Ironically, it would be easier for me to move home if things were still not great for me over here but now I risk giving up a lot, for the great unknown...

With great risk comes great reward??? I hope so
Don't get me wrong folks, I'm not loaded or anything and I still worry about where I'm going to get the money for the plasterer to skim the walls in the house etc but I'm finally happy to say that my education was worth it in a financial and career sense, rather than just the 'it's nice to know stuff about stuff' sense

It's also nice because I was a student during most of the Celtic Tiger years and saw people I know who never went to University buying 2 and 3 houses (fair play to them) while I could barely afford my rent and had loans out. In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't buy 2 or three houses 6-7 years ago

Otis Driftwood

Bryn wrote: »

True, very true. Just a bit worried as I still don't know what to do with my life and i'm turning 26 next week and I have just finished my second college course!

I turned 30 this year and still dont know what I want to do for the rest of my life.

I would love to study psychology or behavioural science.
I would love to study accounting.
I would love to study journalism or creative writing.

Im currently working in the insurance industry.


Some people know from a relatively young age what they want to do for the rest of their lives.Most (IMO) dont.
Its just about finding something that both interests you and that you can make a living off.

pikachucheeks

Bryn wrote: »

i'm a bit lost at the moment and don't know what to do with my life or how to get to my goals

Personally, I think it's all about being motivated, willing to put in hard work and believing in yourself.

Firstly, you need to outline what your "goals" are. Motivate yourself to come up with a list and don't believe that anything isn't possible. If you set your mind to think negatively, you'll convince yourself you're not capable of doing something and it will bring you down. Write down all of your ideas - even the "crazy" ones

Sit down and ask yourself questions ; "What makes me happy?" "How can I use qualifications I currently have to further my education/employment opportunities?" "When am I free during the week to try new things?" "How can I make X, Y and Z happen?"


No matter how far-fetched your goals might be, at least you'll have a list in front of you. You can then go on to research how you can fulfill these goals. It might be a matter of having to save up money to do a night course, travelling somewhere once or twice a week to participate in a new activity or even relocating.

Sometimes, you will have to make sacrifices to get what you want, to achieve your goals. Sometimes, nothing is easy - or handed to you on a plate, but you have to put determination and hard work together and just go for it.
If you really want something, I fully believe that every effort within your means and reach should be made to get that something, whatever it is.

I often find that using the mentality "If I don't do this, someone else will" works for me. I motivate myself to do things on the basis that if I don't do them, someone else will. If I'm passive and allow the opportunity to slip past, someone else will take it - and reap the benefits. Today's world can be very competitive. If you take a backseat, someone else will run ahead and get what you want, before you. It's all about being pro-active, motivated and determined - Being those three things will always pay off, given time. They'll always be noticed and rewarded.

If you want something, make it happen! Simple as. Keep the goal in your mind, be focused and go for it. Don't let anyone - yourself included - tell you you're not good enough, not smart enough, not qualified enough, not whatever enough. Anything's possible, if you put your mind to it.

I think it's also important to remember to have fun ; Make sure that you have time in your life dedicated to yourself. Time for chilling, hanging out with friends. Time for doing things you enjoy. Not everything in life is supposed to be painful and hard work! Everyone needs time to relax, en route to achieving their goals!

Also, it's important to note that what you're feeling isn't exclusive to you ; It happens to everyone, at some point in life. My point being, lots of people will be able to relate to your current situation and be able to give you advice - from experience. So, don't be afraid to open up to people (family members, friends etc) and ask for their thoughts on the matter
Someone will always be able to help you and reassure you.

On an off-topic note, I'll remember your Birthday, since it's the same date as mine! I'll give you a shout out on college radio!

Red Hand

nedtheshed wrote: »

Its just about finding something that both interests you and that you can make a living off.

It's the latter for everyone I know (and me).:)

Interesting topic, OP. At least you have a general goal of your own house, garage, gym room...I don't even have that!

I'm work in a laboratory....lucky to have a job and all that, but I don't even have anything much to spend money on or save for. As for work, well, it's a job. I didn't aspire to work in this industry, at the time of college application, I didn't have any idea what career I wanted and so I decided to play it safe with choosing a course in science which would give me a job.

Still don't know what I'm going to do with my life.:eek:

babo9

Hey guys,
Just wanted to say I'm in the same boat, I'm kinda happy I found this thread. But honestly it doesn't make me feel much better but its good to know I'm not the only one in this situatation, and there seems to be lots of other people who are older than me feeling this way too!

Bascially I'm 24 and I have my bachelors in IT, and have somehow ended up doing a PhD...but I don't really like it at all, I'm not even finished my first year but really can't see myself doing it for 3 more, especially when I don't want to be in this field, I don't have passion for it, but like everyone else here I don't have a clue what I want to do and its reallly starting to get at me now!
I recently found out it could be a "quarter life crisis", which apparetnly a lot of mid-twenties - mid-thirthys experience when they realise they don't have a clue what they want to do!

Be interesting to hear from a few otheres(besides r3nu4l, thanks for that btew!) who have been there and done that.

Vim Fuego

Holy sh*t, I've been thinking what the hell will I do a lot recently? Good to see this thread and that others are thinking along the same lines.

First off, wise words posted earlier.

Remember, failing at something you are happy to do, is better than succeeding at something your not.

I would also recommend having a read of 'What should I do with my life?' by Po Bronson. I know it sounds really cheesy, and I'm not one for self-help books. It doesn't offer any pop-psychology answers, it's more of a collection of real stories about people who have asked themselves that question. It covers people who have made it, people who have failed and people who are doing their best to make a change. It's actually really helpful to read other people's stories and to get some inspiration there.

I'm 26, I have a relatively stable position in a growth industry. I've decided that I hate what I do, my work benefits no-one and really, I get really depressed thinking that I'll be doing this for much longer. I don't think that working in an office is my thing. I have tried my hand in accountancy, banking, corporate compliance, telecoms, advertising and dotcoms. For the most part, I just got bored after the honeymoon period.

On the other hand, I'm really lucky because I've got a wonderful girlfriend and a great family. I'm currently trying to find the strength to quit this job and get studying for the GAMSATs with the hope of going into medicine in 2011 and actually making a difference.

I flip between having great confidence and then thinking I must be mad. But the main thing is, I don't want to have any regrets when I look back on my life. I can imagine nothing worse than having not tried to improve myself and my situation.

Best of luck to anyone in the same position, it's not easy.