As we grow, we start to understand how times of uncertainty can make us question our place in the world. As graduates begin to think about breaking out into their fields, this brings up many different emotions and fears about what our paths may look like. Some dream of taking over a family business, while others feel drawn towards climbing the corporate ladder or building their own business. All perfectly acceptable, while not being easy to attain.
Recently, I spoke with a group of graduates gearing up to enter different fields within the discipline. In this conversation, I shared four mindsets to maintain as you forge your path. This takes the student outside the narrow-mindedness of finding a job role and more into themselves. A challenge to strive forward with curiosity and hope in times when the journey seems unclear.
In this breakdown of the four mindsets, I also offer ways to embrace each mindset and its benefits. Not only do these mindsets matter, both individually and collectively, but they are skills to develop that help you throughout your lifetime.
Be Curious
Curiosity is one of the most valuable traits an individual can possess. Curiosity is something that grows with our willingness to notice the things around us and change our minds about the things we were once sure of. Rather than focusing solely on having the right answers and knowing every step to take, curiosity focuses on how the ability to ask meaningful questions is far more important. Be curious about different industries, roles, people, opportunities, and challenges you’ve never been exposed to, because you never know which door will open to your future.
Here’s how to be more curious:
- Explore opportunities outside of your immediate area of study.
- Study subjects you’ve never heard of.
- Attend speaker sessions on topics you’ve never engaged with.
- Approach every new experience with the desire to learn something new.
The benefits of being a curious person at any age are endless. Curiosity gives us the ability to open new worlds on the blandest of days and withhold fast judgments when we engage with diverse perspectives. Studies show that individuals with higher curiosity have better memory retention, enhanced overall problem-solving skills, and a deeper relationship with learning. As you become more curious, you become more adaptable and resilient.
Stay Hopeful
The transition from graduation can be both very exciting and nerve-wracking for many. Whether you’ve secured a role or are submitting applications, it can feel like a time on the floor of immense unknown, causing disappointment, uncertainty, and frustration. During this time, your ability to remain hopeful will be a superpower. Remain optimistic, not with blind positivity, but with the trust that the pendulum will soon swing in the direction of your dreams. Hope at this time is not about ignoring the challenge; it is about believing that progress is possible and that today’s obstacles do not define tomorrow’s opportunities.
Here’s how to stay hopeful:
- Focus on the factors you can control; control the controllables.
- Celebrate small wins in your progress along the way.
- Surround yourself with people who encourage your growth.
- Take care of yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Hope can be the driving force that gives you the motivation to keep applying, networking, learning, and growing even when the results aren’t immediate. When we become more hopeful, we open ourselves to taking more thoughtful risks. Not because we are denying the weight and complexity of progress, but because hope allows you to trust deeper, desire greater, and plan for your outcome to flourish.
Don’t Be Afraid to Take the Path Less Traveled
Too often in life we feel the pressure to follow the path that feels paved, the path that feels safe, or the traditional linear path we’ve seen others do before. While conventional routes work for some people, stay open to the possibility of unexpected opportunities.
Here’s how to embrace the unconventional path:
- Be open to opportunities that are outside of any plan you’ve created.
- Focus on gaining experiences rather than chasing titles.
- Trust your intuition.
- Don’t compare your path to those around you.
By remaining open to unconventional roles, experiences, and exposure, you gain unique skills and perspectives you may not otherwise gain on a traditional path. More often than not, fear controls our ability to set ourselves apart, but some of your most successful and skilled role models have taken unconventional roles to get there.
Spend Time Getting to Know Yourself
Perhaps the most important investment you can make in this lifetime is in yourself. Taking time to truly get to know yourself on a deeper, more intrinsic level will make you more relatable, authentic, and compassionate in life and work. Spending time alone to understand your personal values, motivations, strengths, and goals is crucial to effectively facing and responding to setbacks.
Here’s how to get to know yourself better:
- Spend time alone in spaces where you feel comfortable.
- Reflect on experiences that brought you a deep sense of joy.
- Journal about small moments and the people you meet.
- Track your emotions over a day or week period to see what comes up.
Shifting your brain to focus on all the possible good that can happen will only benefit you in your personal and professional life. Remaining optimistic is not blind positivity; it’s based on the trust that the outcome will exceed the bounds of what your mind could create.
Conclusion
As you prepare to step into your next chapter, these four mindsets are just four small pieces of a larger puzzle. While you remain curious and hopeful, and spend time getting to know yourself, the road less traveled will become more comfortable. Building a meaningful career journey looks different for everyone, and it takes courage to show up for yourself in any way that will bring you forward. After all, life is truly about the journey and not just the destination.
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Dawn Xx
