What Are You Doing in Life?

A working path is not always smooth sailing. Often, forslightly positive and why not add a little humor to the
better or for worse, it is strewn with pitfalls, ofsituation.
ambushes, questions and even withdrawals to betterSome possible answers
align oneself and restart stronger than ever.On the thorny question: What are you doing in life?
John reorientationSome answers such as the followings would be quite
John, is a 25 year old man possessing a background inappropriate for the given situation.
law and has the title that comes with it. He liked toWhat I do in life right now!
study and learn, and he was proud of himself. He- I am doing some researching...In fact... I am questioning
believed in this profession which is also his father's andmy professional choice and I decided to take a period
favorite uncle profession. He was fortunate to quicklyof time to think, study and I want to find out what I
find a job in a law firm two years ago. He is thereforereally want to do in the future.
working on issues with his colleagues he meets clients- I'm quite possibly in career transition. I was doing such
and everyone is pleased with his work. But hework... It does not really suit me. I should have done this
gradually realize that he is not at all happy doing thissooner, but I thought my career choice was final. I'm
job, that he is different from his colleagues, and that hisnow exploring other avenues that could interest me.
motivations and his interests differ from that- I work for x years and lately, I chose to rest and
profession, his ambitions are somewhere else and thestudy my situation. I left to form clear my mind and
become demotivated.form new ideas for a restart facing new challenges. It
Stop work-reflectionis helping me so much, I want to advise it to all those in
After discussions with a childhood friend andneed of such a break.
consultations, John became quite certain and confident- I need to find clarity and make choices, and I find it
of his decision, he decided to take a few months at hisdifficult to perform at work 40-50 hours / week and
own expenses to reconsider his future and repositionfind enough time and energy to question and search at
himself. It is therefore with great confidence that hethe same time. I am fortunate for being able to offer
made his application for a leave without pay. Theymyself these conditions, so I'm taking advantage of it.
give him this period of reflection, he advises its clients,Choose your own reply, one that sounds good from
say goodbye to his colleagues and distributes hisyour mouth. I just wanted to suggest words, tone, an
record files. So far so good. Its only after a certainopen mind and a positive attitude toward your situation.
period that everything becomes a nightmare for John.About the others
Indeed, alone at last, he suddenly lose all his pride andYou know, your answer may be the beginning of a
confidence...most interesting conversation with the person who
John's nightmareasked you this question, or others who may join in the
John doesn't dare to leave his house and meet peopleconversation. Most people understand that it is not
anymore. He is single and would love to date andalways easy to choose the the right professional
meet girls, but does not want to mention that he is notorientation. People will appreciate and admire you for
working to a girl who has a good career. His friendsyour courage and honesty. Your interlocutor would like
invites him to play golf, take a beer, and he does notto know more, but you do not have the heart for the
know what to say to them anymore to refuse theirconversation. after a short reply, simply let him know
invitations. A neighbor he met regularly in the morningthat you prefer to think about it longer and will tell him
and evening asked him recently what was happeningmore later. Change the subject like for example by
when he saw that he had changed his routine. Heshowing that you are more interested in him and his
stammers anything, but what he really wanted was toown line of work. And if negative individual criticizes
avoid that conversation and cower behind his car. Heyou; just remember that he may just envy your
apprehended a wedding this summer where the wholehonesty and skillfully end the conversation.
family will be present. He is asking himself how toKeep your head high
change his live to make this period better.When you have to talk your situation, keep your head
From shame to pridehigh, and act as if you are proud and comfortable
Why the shame? Shame to respect oneself, to listenabout your choice or about your situation. If necessary,
to what is happening inside, taking time for oneself, topractice in front of a mirror or with a friend. Know that
find clarity. Is it not preferable to assume responsibilityif you are ashamed you are causing a discomfort, but
about one own dissatisfaction, instead of pretendingif you seem proud, you attract the admiration. I speak
that all is well and basically be completely unhappy.of self-pride, not arrogance or complacency. You will
John is certainly agreeing with that, because hefind that your own perception and what you release
choosed to live this moment of rest. The problem iscreate the atmosphere. So many people wish they
that he does not know how to talk about it. First, hecould afford a short productive reflection period in their
must be absolutely clear with himself and recognizeprofessional life, but can't afford to do so. They also
the importance of a questioning period and also realizeare questioning the parallel of their jobs which they
that nothing is more effective than taking time off tohate and that drains their energy. You will soon find out
think and find solutions. First by recognizing, and bywhen you start talking about your choice and situation.
being even proud of his courage and consistencySome nice conversation about work and careers may
about meeting the dissatisfaction situation at workarise from discussing your situation. After all, its as
head on, its depositing in fact a good new startinggood as talking about the rain and fine weather or the
foundation for a new career reorientation. Then therelatest hokey score... And who knows where this may
are the others... Let's help them to understand and belead?