If you're reading this, you are most likely highly skilled, incredibly capable, and you work your butt off to do a great job at everything you put your mind to. You're not much of a half-asser.

Did I get that right?

You might be finding that one of the hardest parts of figuring out your ideal career path is that there are a TON of possible pathways for you.

You could work in lots of different sectors.

You could start your own business.

You could manage other people and be amazing at it (if you don't already!)

The list of "coulds" is really freaking long for you...because you're good at a LOT of things.

Sound about right?

I often get on my soapbox about the "shoulds" - what I see as the expectations of others that sneak into your brain...

But while the "shoulds" can lead you down the wrong path making choices for others, the "coulds" can lead to a sense of overwhelm and uncertainty that can leave you feeling stuck in the muck avoiding action.

Fortunately, there's an easy way out of the "coulds" and back onto the right path for you.

Start with what you want. 

 Sometimes, knowing anything is possible can feel exhilarating. 

Other times, it feels like being trapped in a room with 20 doors knowing that they might all take you to the wrong place. 

Your friends and loved ones (and most coaches out there) will remind you that you could make more money, move to a different place, take that job at their organization, complete a graduate degree...

I say this with all love, but the important thing is this: they aren't you. 

So sure, you could do all of those things. What do you WANT to do? 

Work a 4-day work week? Take a risk and join a startup? Live and work abroad without an official home address? Stay comfortable in your current role and location? 

It actually doesn't matter as long as it's what you want. 

Next, focus on who you work for

I don't mean your boss. 

What I mean is this: who actually matters in your career choices? 

You might be working long hours to try to meet the expectations of your boss or leaders in your organization, but what if you care more about modeling a different kind of leadership to more junior team members?

Your family might judge you for taking a pay cut to go to a nonprofit focused on an issue you feel deeply passionate about...but does it matter if you're able to make a big contribution toward communities that matter to you? 

Focus in on 1-2 specific people or communities who you actually want to work for.

You might go as big as "I work in climate justice for future generations."

Or perhaps, "I work for our transgender siblings in the U.S. and around the world to feel safe, free, and able to live with dignity and peace."

You might go specific and imagine a specific person - "I work for Kateryna, a child in Ukraine, so that she might live without war."

So, who do you work for and how has the path become clearer for you?