When you were young, there were many prompts to help you think about your future. Older relatives and your parents’ friends asked what you wanted to be when you grew up or where you wanted to go to college. Teachers exposed you to various subjects and ideas and supported your learning. College counselors prodded you about what you wanted to study so you could explore which college would be your best choice. College and graduate programs guided you on a course to a career or area of work. You had the support of parents, teachers, classmates, and significant others. You were expected to grow and learn and chart a course for your life and you succeeded.
When was the last time you thought like this or had someone show interest in your future? Back in school we were striving to create where our life would be in ten or twenty years. Well, I am fifty-three and still want to be a thriving, contributing member of society twenty years from now. I want to be involved in meaningful, enjoyable work and living a peaceful, happy life. A few years ago, I went through the process again of trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. I started coaching classes and found the support of teachers and classmates. I explored new areas and refined my skills until I found my niche of supporting others in their third chapter of life. Forest therapy guiding also showed up as an additional interesting path. The support of my family, friends, classmates and other coaches I met was instrumental in my reaching my goals.
If you are in mid-life, there is still plenty of time to explore another path of working or living. Maybe you find yourself in a rut with your work and need to revitalize your interest with some sort of change. Do you want to completely change your type of work or just take a new avenue with it? Was there something you were interested in when you were young but set aside to pursue a more “realistic” career? What do you want to be when you grow up?
Exploring a new path may not be easy but it will be worth the effort. What support do you have to gather the courage to open yourself to new possibilities? Are there certain family members or friends who would be excited to help and support you? You might find that some of them are on their own new exciting journey and eager for your camaraderie. Can you imagine if you had your current knowledge back when you were in school? Well, you have it now so what can you do with it? Let the exploration begin.
Karnia Coaching 