Let’s be real: figuring out your career path can feel like walking through a maze with no map. Everyone says, “Follow your passion!” but that can honestly feel more stressful than helpful. So how do you build a career that pays the bills and gets you excited to wake up every morning? Here’s how to navigate this journey:

Start With What You Genuinely Enjoy

When I was stuck trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I looked back at what actually excited me. It wasn’t about flashy job titles—it was those moments when I felt truly engaged. Whether it was solving problems, organizing chaos, or diving into spreadsheets, I started noticing patterns.

Pro tip: If something makes you lose track of time, there’s a clue there.

Lean Into Your Strengths

Your natural strengths are a huge asset. For me, it was data, Excel, critical thinking, and system-building. If you're great at designing, writing, managing people, or planning events—don’t overlook that. Your strengths are often the easiest and most authentic career path to build on.

Follow Your Curiosity, Not Just Passion

Passion is great—but curiosity is often what leads you to it. I didn’t know I’d enjoy building systems until I started playing around with data tools. Sometimes, the things that “spark joy” start with just being curious.

Find Work That Feels Meaningful

When your job aligns with your values, you feel more empowered. I wanted work that had an impact—and that meant helping others and seeing real results. Whether you’re drawn to healthcare, education, tech, or the creative world, the key is to find roles that resonate with you.

Try Things Out Before You Commit

You don’t need to figure it all out at once. I experimented with freelancing, side projects, and different industries. Every experiment taught me something valuable. It’s okay to explore before you settle into something long-term.

Think Beyond the Paycheck

Money matters yet I’ve seen people chase high salaries only to burn out and feel stuck. A career should challenge you, help you grow, and ideally, light a little fire inside you. If it pays and excites you? Even better.

Talk to People Doing What You Want to Do

Don't go it alone. Reach out to others in the field you're exploring. Networking can sound scary, but real conversations often open unexpected doors. Listen to stories, ask questions, and learn from their experiences.

Be Flexible With Your Career Path

You’re allowed to change your mind. What you wanted five years ago might not fit anymore—and that’s okay. Stay open, evolve, and use every step of your journey to grow into your next opportunity.

Ready to Take Action?

If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed figuring out your path, I built a Career OS Notion Template to help simplify your entire journey. It helps you organize your skills, track job ideas, clarify your goals, and plan your next steps—all in one place.

👉 Grab my Career OS Template and start building a career that works for you, not the other way around.

How did you find your current career—or what are you exploring next? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your story!