Selecting a career is like choosing which path to take out of multiple signboards all pointing in different directions. As a freelance writer, I have experienced this plenty of times, wondering whether to choose technology, education, or some other field. The positive side is that in 2025, with tools and strategies available, you can build a plan that suits you best. This is based on career coach Dr. Kyle Elliott’s strategy, which has inspired me to share what I would call seven easy steps to get you into a career that brings you joy and meets some of your dreams. I hope this journey becomes both fun and simple!
Step 1: Finding Out Your Guiding Office
Begin reflecting on what gets you out of bed in the morning. Core values, for instance, might include freedom, creativity, or impact. For me, writing stories that resonate with people acts like my “North Star.” Ask yourself, what difference do you hope to achieve? What are the things that count for excitement beyond your work? List your passions, such as lending a helping hand or addressing issues, for career choices that assist your decision-making. That clarity acts as a base for all other aspects.
Step 2: Determine Your Goals
Take a moment and reflect on your life goals, both short-term and long-term. In my case, having the flexibility to travel shaped my career choices and pushed me towards freelancing. Maybe “running a business” or “achieving remote work” are your dreams. Ask yourself if you need stability, freedom, or some level of adventure in your life. Dr. Elliott recommends pursuing careers in areas that will help achieve such lifestyle goals.
Step 3: Pursue Your Interests
Think about things you do in your leisure time. These can often inform the direction you want to work in. Do you like playing video games? Gaming is now such a huge industry that game design and streaming are both excellent options. Because of my love for stories, I eventually got into content creation. Start forming a list of hobbies, like coding or teaching, alongside their related professions. Remember a 2024 Indeed survey, which concluded that happiness and productivity can grow by 30% when a hobby intersects with a job. It’s completely fine for hobbies not to become professions too.
Step 4: Evaluate Your Skills
Evaluate your available resources in terms of strengths and skills. For example, my school projects showed that I had a knack for research. This was also the reason I became a content strategist. Friends and colleagues often have unique perspectives that easily identify your skills, like communication or organization, which I often call ‘superpowers.’ There are also other ways to assess, such as using StrengthsFinder or tracking tasks with the Controlio app to find gaps and optimize. It helped me draft my primary work.
Step 5: Check the Job Market
Does the area of interest suit your skills, or is it achievable? An example would be the current boom in technology. CompTIA has predicted 1.2 million new tech jobs in the US by 2030. Through research, I was also able to find a high demand for freelance writing, just as people said. Also, look up websites like LinkedIn and Indeed to closely inspect ads and pay. To reach goals like working for Google, those experiencing hurdles might benefit from starting with what I call “lily pad” positions until they gain the necessary experience.
Step 6: Network and Learn
Informational interviews are very valuable. In fact, I had a coffee chat with a lady who was a marketing director, and her insights made me pivot toward digital content. Look for users on LinkedIn who you can chat with for 15 minutes about their jobs. Ask, What’s the most interesting part of your work? What skills are most valued? Dr. Elliott said that these small discussions can help you discover new options and opportunities that you never thought existed.
Step 7: Take Action
Your schedule should contain goals that are broken down into actionable steps. Go for an online class, apply for a position, or even get an internship. To build my portfolio, I accepted a single freelance gig and ended up with multiple clients. Set timelines—that’s what the Controlio app’s estimate of 90,000 hours of work for a lifetime, based on 40-hour workweeks, reminds us of—time is limited. If you don’t know where to begin, a career coach can fine-tune your approach, but at the end of the day, the plan is all yours.
Final Note: Enjoy the Journey
With some 90,000 hours of work in a lifetime, one must choose a rewarding career. My transition to freelance work involved contemplation, striving for minor achievements, and several cups of coffee. Follow my example and use the seven steps to explore, experiment, and act. I hope you enjoyed the skills and motivation learning paths offered with this guide, so what small step could you take today to get you closer to a fulfilling career? Who’s ready to take the next leap? Let me know in the comments—I’m ready to support you!
