How to Face the 'I Don't Know' in Your Career

Introduction

In the course of your career and life, you may suddenly find yourself stopping in your tracks, wondering, 'I don't know what the right answer is' or 'Is it really okay to keep going like this?' Everyone experiences moments of feeling anxious about the future, as if they are lost in a thick fog.
However, that feeling of 'not knowing' is by no means negative. Rather, it is a 'sign of growth' where your heart wants to move to a new stage,a 'sign of growth' where your heart wants to move to a new stageand a 'trigger' for a future that is uniquely yours.a 'trigger' for a future that is uniquely yoursIn this article, we will introduce specific tips from a psychological perspective to help you face the state of 'not knowing' positively and connect it to a 'career you can be satisfied with'—all so that you, who are struggling with career worries, can find the 'strength to believe in yourself and take the next step.'
Why do we feel like we 'don't know'? ~The true nature of anxiety is 'growing pains'~
Behind our feeling of 'not knowing' is a natural process of the heart trying to grow. Just knowing this mechanism should make you feel a little more at ease.

The 'fuzziness' caused by inner conflict

The discomfort that arises when your thoughts and actions conflict, such as 'I chose Company A, but maybe Company B would have been better...' or 'I know I should study, but I don't have the motivation...' In psychology, this is called'cognitive dissonance'. This fuzziness is an important sign that your heart is telling you, 'I want to change something!'your heart is telling you, 'I want to change something!'

The 'challenges' that appear at each stage of life

Worries like 'What is the job I really want to do?' are one of the 'developmental tasks' we must overcome at each stage of life.'developmental tasks'Especially for the younger generation, it is perfectly natural to feel lost or anxious as you tackle major tasks such as 'choosing and preparing for a career' and 'becoming mentally independent.'

A career is a 'line,' not a 'dot'

If you view finding a job or changing careers as a one-time 'search for the right answer,' it becomes very painful. A career is a 'process (journey)' that continues to change throughout your life. Even in psychological theory, it is considered thatcareer choice is like an 'endless journey' where you optimize for yourself little by little while going back and forth between various stages. Stopping or even going back a little is an important part of the journey.
Your 'not knowing' or 'hesitation' is proof that you are growing as a human being and trying to adapt to change. It can be said that these are 'healthy growing pains' that cannot be avoided when building a career.

5 tips to turn 'I don't know' into 'the next step'💡

So, how should you specifically face this 'I don't know'? Here are some practical tips you can try starting today.

Tip 1: It's okay not to eliminate anxiety. Take a step forward 'as you are'

We tend to think, 'I want to act after I get rid of my anxiety,' but in reality, anxiety has a nature of becoming stronger the more you try to eliminate it.
In Morita therapy, a Japanese psychotherapy, we value the concept of'as you are'. Do not try to force away your anxious feelings; accept yourself as you are, feeling 'I'm anxious.' Then, while carrying that anxiety, focus on what you can do now.
Even while feeling anxious about a new challenge, take a small step forward by saying, 'Let's just gather information first.' That one step will turn into the confidence to master your anxiety.

1-minute exercise ①✍️

What is something you have avoided recently because of anxiety? After accepting that anxiety by saying, 'It's okay to have it,' write down what kind of 'very small step' you could take.

Tip 2: Change your 'way of seeing things' to lighten your heart

It is often thought in cognitive therapy and other fields that the cause of painful feelings is not the event itself, but our 'interpretation' of it.'interpretation'is the causecognitive therapyFor example, if you interpret the event of 'failing an interview' as 'I'm no good anymore,' your mood will sink further and further. This is the trap of 'automatic thoughts' that pop up unconsciously.
Here, by reinterpreting it from a different perspective, such as 'I certainly didn't speak well, but I'm proud of myself for not giving up and answering until the end,' your mood will become surprisingly lighter, and energy for the next step will well up.

1-minute exercise ②✍️

Recall one event that made you feel fuzzy recently, and write down (1) what thoughts came to mind at that time (B), and (2) what feelings you had (C). Then, try to imagine a new feeling (C') by thinking, 'What if I interpreted it differently?'

Tip 3: 4 perspectives to know your 'true self'

The moment you feel like you 'don't know' is the perfect chance to take a deep look at yourself.

Explore your strengths and values
Knowing what you value (values) and what you are good at (strengths) becomes the 'compass' for your career journey. The idea of building a career based on your own values rather than social status or others' expectations (the Protean Career) is currently gaining attention.

Retell your own 'story'
Look back on your life so far, connect the dots of past events, and try retelling them as your own unique story (the Narrative Approach). By finding new meaning in past experiences, the path you should take into the future will naturally come into view.

Re-examine your life roles
Our lives are not made up of 'work' alone. We hold various roles (life roles) such as student, employee, parent, friend, or hobbyist. Which role do you want to prioritize right now? By re-evaluating that balance, what you seek from your work will also become clearer.

Notice your unconscious 'assumptions'

We sometimes act according to a 'life script' that we unconsciously created in childhood. If you find yourself repeating the same mistakes, it might be because of an old script. Just by noticing the existence of that script, we become capable of making freer choices.

Hint 4: The future is created by a series of 'small experiments'

If you try to move only after making a perfect plan, you will never take that first step. The trick to getting out of the 'I don't know' state is small 'experiments' rather than grand plans.

Turn coincidence into opportunity
There is a surprising research finding that 80% of a career is shaped by unexpected, coincidental events (the Planned Happenstance Theory). What is important is the attitude of turning those coincidences into opportunities. That accumulation will attract the best future.

Have the courage to 'decide while changing'
It is natural for the future to be unpredictable. That is why a flexible stance of 'deciding for now and changing according to the situation' (the Active Uncertainty) is important. Instead of aiming for a 100-point correct answer from the start, act on a 60-point hypothesis and adjust your course while learning. That process itself will help you grow.

Hint 5: Don't carry it alone. Find a trusted 'running partner'

You don't have to keep walking alone through the fog of anxiety that comes with 'I don't know.' It could be a trusted friend, family member, a respected mentor, or even a professional like a career consultant. Having someone you can safely talk to about your feelings is a great support that helps organize your mind and gives you positive energy. Often, by talking, you discover your true feelings that you hadn't even noticed yourself.

Conclusion: Finding your own 'satisfying career' beyond the confusion

The feeling of 'I don't know' might be painful. However, it is the ultimate proof that you are seriously searching for a 'way of living and working that is true to you' and are trying to grow.
A career is not something completed by a single choice; it is like a grand journey where you repeat trial and error throughout your life, facing the 'I don't know' of each moment, and weaving your own story.
I hope the hints introduced today serve as a 'map' or 'compass' to illuminate that journey.
There is no need to rush for a perfect answer. First, ask yourself, 'What is the next step I can feel satisfied with right now?' and start by accumulating tiny actions.
That is the most certain way to turn your 'I don't know' into the power to carve out your future.
Come on, why not make 'I don't know' your greatest ally and create your own unique career?

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ℹ️ Notice

Magazine
I introduce various wisdom from career theorists to address inner anxieties like 'I don't know what I'm working for!' This also includes explanatory articles on the hints introduced in this piece. Please take a look.

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