Forming a vision is an engaging and an introspective exercise. However, it can be optimally formed if you rid yourself of any 'life conditioning' that you have had in the past.



We want you to unlearn it all and do this exercise with a blank fresh mind. This way you can keep biases and prejudices as bay and look at the options available to you in a totally different light.

Don't think about the advices and suggestions given to you by your family and friends. This is all about exploring what you want and where do you see yourself. Steer clear, that there is no such thing as an ideal or unconventional career. What suits you is the ideal and right career for you.

Don't get bogged down by the intentions of your parents to find a respectable career that they did not have. This is the chance for YOU to create the career that YOU want!

So kick start the process and rid yourselves of all personal barriers such as lack of motivation or laziness and of all the expectations and aspirations of your friends and family.

Career Planning Exercises

The following exercises will help you to determine your likes and dislikes as well as your career aspirations. Please take your time in answering the questions.

As you answer the questions, you will start to formulate some conclusions as to what is 'right' and what is 'wrong' in a career for you.

Q. LIFESTYLE: Identify the key characteristics of your ideal lifestyle - what would they be? i.e. 2 hours quality time with the kids every night, earn $60,000 pa, 30 minute travel time to work, 2 holidays per year, work in a team, etc. Does/will your current career allow you to achieve your ideal lifestyle?

Q. LIKES/DISLIKES: What are your likes and dislikes at work? Make 2 lists below. What activities do you enjoy? Which activities would you rather avoid? Does your current job have more likes or dislikes?

Q. STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES: Put yourself in the shoes of a potential employer. What are your key strengths and weaknesses? Think experience, qualifications, training, ability, attitude and knowledge.

Q. PERSONALITY: Does your current career fit with your personality type? Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Do you like to learn by doing or by thinking and reflecting? Do you like variety and changes to the work that you complete or do you like routine and certainty?

Q. Ideal Day at Work: Describe in as much detail your ideal day at work - what sort of things would you be doing?

Q. Ideal Career Characteristics: Based on all that you have written in this book so far, determine the ideal career for you. Imagine you are a kid again, what would you like to be when you grow up?!