Aligning You Passion With Your Profession: Not Follow Your Passion

As a kid, I wanted to be the President or the next Tony Robbins. Did I become either one?

Nope. I became a lawyer. But ten years ago, just like you now, I was thinking, ‘What’s next?’

That’s where aligning passion with profession comes into play. Because, let’s face it, we all want a job that makes us jump out of bed every morning (preferably not due to an alarm clock crisis).

So, here are three steps to help you align your passions and interests with alternative career paths.

Step One: Get All Introspective and Self-Reflective.

The key to aligning your passions with a career is understanding what those passions are.

Are you a wordsmith who loves crafting arguments? Or maybe a problem-solver who loves untangling complex issues? Or perhaps you love technology and wonder how to blend it with your legal background.

Identifying these interests and values is the first step to finding a career that’ll feel less like work and more like a paid hobby.

Step Two: Become Sherlock Holmes (Minus the Hat).

Ever watched Sherlock Holmes as he investigated a case with an insatiable curiosity and an unending desire to find the truth?

That’s the energy you must bring when investigating alternative careers that might align with your newfound passions.

You should extensively examine different careers that might intersect with your passions.

This is where your legal research skills will shine — dive deep into the qualifications needed, the lifestyle each career offers, and the state of the job market. Explore the prospects for growth and advancement within these careers.

Step Three: Build Relationships Like a Boss.

While the internet and books can provide valuable information, there’s no substitute for talking to actual human beings already working in the fields you’re interested in.

Building relationships is not just about collecting contacts.

Get out there and talk to professionals already doing the jobs that appeal to you.

Attend industry events, join professional groups, and chat over coffee. Be authentic and express your curiosity and excitement about the field. People are often more than willing to share their experiences, insights, and advice.

Remember that transitioning to a new career is like learning a new dance.

It’s exciting and nerve-racking all at once.

There’s a lot of learning and, yes, a few missteps along the way. But when you find a career that aligns with your passions, you’ll discover a rhythm that feels just right.

And trust me, it’s a dance worth learning and a journey worth embarking on.