Beyond Pros & Cons: A Better Way to Make Career Choices

Let's be honest – we've all been there. You're staring at that pros and cons list you just made about a potential job move, and somehow you feel more confused than when you started. Maybe you've got "great salary" in the pros column and "longer commute" in the cons, but deep down you know these two things aren't really comparable. It's like weighing apples against... well, your entire future happiness.

Here's the thing: while pros and cons lists aren't totally useless, they're kind of like using a black and white filter on a sunset – you're missing all the colours that make it beautiful. So let's talk about a better way to think about career choices, shall we?

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Why Your Pros and Cons List Isn't Cutting It

Think about the last time you fell in love with a song. Did you make a pros and cons list about whether to add it to your playlist? Of course not! Some of the most important decisions we make don't really fit into tidy little columns. Yet here we are, trying to reduce life-changing career choices to simple math.

Look, I get it. Lists feel safe. They feel logical. But your career isn't just a series of bullet points – it's a huge part of your life story. So here´s something different to help you make focus on what´s important.

A Better Way to Think About It

Instead of getting stuck in list-making mode, try thinking about your career choices through these four lenses. Trust me, it's a game-changer.

1. The Energy Check

You know that feeling when you're talking about something you love, and your eyes light up and you can't help but smile? Maybe you get a burst of excitement in your chest or the words just flow effortlessly. That's energy. Try and pay attention to it. Our bodies often know before our minds do.

When you think about each career option:

- Does your energy spike or sink?

- Do you find yourself sitting up straighter or slumping down?

- Are you excited to tell people about it, or do you feel like you need to convince yourself?

2. The Growth Question

Here's a fun thought experiment: imagine yourself three years into each option. What kind of stuff would you be learning? Who would you be hanging out with? What cool skills would you be picking up?

Sometimes the "safe" choice actually puts you in a comfy little box with a low ceiling, while the "risky" choice might be your ticket to becoming the person you've always wanted to be. Which brings us to...

3. The Values Vibe Check

Let's get real for a second: What actually matters to you? Not what should matter, not what your parents think should matter, but what makes you feel like you're living a life you can be proud of?

If you're someone who cares about making a difference in people's lives, all the free snacks and ping pong tables in the world won't make up for soul-destroying work. On the flip side, if you're excited about building wealth to support your family, taking that "cool but broke" job might leave you feeling frustrated.

4. The Life Fit Reality Check: Making Career Choices That Work For You

Here's something people often forget: your career doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's just one piece of your life puzzle.

Think about:

- Will this choice let you be there for the people and things that matter?

- Can you still train for that marathon, or whatever else lights you up outside of work?

- Does it fit with the kind of life you want to build?

Okay, But How Do I Actually Decide?

Right about now, you might be thinking, "This all sounds great, but I still need to make a choice!" Fair enough. Here's what to do next:

Smart Steps For Making Career Choices

Instead of overthinking it, try dipping your toe in the water:

- Could you shadow someone for a day?

- Maybe take on a small side project in that field?

- Grab coffee with someone who's living the life you're considering?

Real experiences beat endless analysis every time.

Give Yourself a Deadline

Decision paralysis is real, and it's exhausting. Pick a reasonable deadline to make your choice. Circle it on your calendar. When that day comes, make your best call with whatever information you have.

Remember: You're Not Stuck

Making decisions about your career and next steps can feel daunting - and sometimes almost paralysing because it´s a big part of our life. We spend most of our day there, and we all want (and deserve) to love what we do. So I get it, you may be feeling stuck right now (trust me, I have been there).

But here's the most liberating thing: no career choice is permanent. You're not signing away your soul. You're just choosing your next adventure.

The Bottom Line

Making career choices is less about finding the "perfect" path and more about understanding yourself better. Use this framework as a compass, not a rulebook. Trust your gut, do your homework, and remember – the goal isn't to make a perfect choice, but to make a choice you can work with.

And hey, sometimes the best decisions don't look perfect on paper. They just feel right in your bones. So put down that pros and cons list for a minute, and try looking at your choice through these new lenses. You might be surprised by what becomes clear.