Written by: Natja Böttcher

Starting a new career path can be a challenging journey, especially for those who tend to overthink and feel uncertain about their next steps. Gaining career clarity doesn’t happen overnight or fall into place just by waiting long enough. It requires time, self-reflection, and, most importantly, action. This is where the guidance of a coach can be invaluable, helping you navigate that confusion and take confident steps forward. 

Understanding Overthinking 

First and foremost, it’s fair to ask, “What can I do when I don’t know what I want in my career?” You’re not alone if you’re stuck. This feeling often stems from a fear of making the wrong choice. Overthinking every decision, doubting your abilities, and second-guessing your choices can lead to indecisiveness, self-doubt, and a lack of focus, making it even harder to move forward. 

If you’re unsure about your career direction, coaching can help. Here are some of the coaching strategies that I use with my clients. 

Start With Self-Reflection 

When you’re constantly pulled in different directions due to an abundance of ideas, the underlying issue may be a lack of a more profound understanding of who you are, what you excel at, or your deeper purpose.   

Gaining clarity on your “why” can help you overcome overthinking by giving you a clear set of guiding principles for decision-making. With their specific training, coaches can guide you through self-reflection, helping you uncover insights you might miss on your own. 

Identify Your Skills 

Gaining clarity in your career path requires you to identify your skills. It’s common to overlook your strengths because they come so naturally to you. However, recognizing what you’re good at can significantly reduce overanalyzing, helping you focus on what truly matters. Take some time to write down what you do well — these are the skills that bring you joy and come effortlessly. Think back to times when you felt successful and fulfilled, and identify the skills you used in those moments. 

A coach is helpful in this process as they offer an outside perspective, helping you identify skills you may write off as talents everyone has. 

Clarify Your Values  

If something feels off in your career, it might be time to reassess your values. Aligning your work with what you truly value allows you to make career decisions based on those core beliefs, leading to more fulfillment in your career. One of my clients pursued a career in the pharmaceutical industry to please her family but soon realized she longed for a creative career like photography. Through coaching, she clarified her values, which was a game changer, as creativity often clashes with highly structured jobs. 

Reflect on your top values and evaluate if your current career aligns with them. A coach can help you explore what truly matters to you and how it connects with your career choices. 

Explore Your Interests and Passions 

Finally, explore your interests and passions. Reflect on the activities you enjoy, the books you love, or the topics that spark your curiosity. Even if you have a sense of what you want or dreams you’d like to pursue, fears and doubts can sometimes cloud your path. This internal conflict might make it seem like you lack clarity, leading you to believe you don’t know what you want. Remember, everyone has interests and dreams, even if they feel unclear at the moment. If you worry that your passions might not be practical or financially viable, consider how you can incorporate these interests into your life and career. 

A coach can help you explore these passions, even the ones you might consider impractical, and find ways to integrate them into your life and career. 

Addressing Limiting Beliefs 

When you feel lost and unsure about choosing a career path, remember that inner conflicts can make decision-making seem impossible. These uncertainties, often shaped by past experiences or societal expectations, can hold you back from pursuing what you truly want. Recognizing thoughts, such as “I’m not good enough,” and reframing them to build your confidence is key to breaking free from self-doubt. A coach can help you challenge these limiting beliefs by asking questions like: 

  • What is holding you back? 
  • Where did the idea come from? Are you sure it’s true? 
  • Can you see any way in which these beliefs have limited you? 

Seek Support from a Coach 

Once you’ve reflected on your skills, values, interests, and limiting beliefs, the most critical step to gaining clarity is taking action. Many people identify their focus but fail to act on their vision or step out of their comfort zone. Action is what turns clarity into reality. 

If you’re having trouble finding clarity or your “why” by yourself, think about working with a coach. Coaches can offer useful advice and support throughout your journey. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re giving up responsibility — it’s a proactive way to move closer to finding the clarity you need. You can use the ICF Credentialed Coach Finder to find a coach who is a good fit for you. 

 

Natja Böttcher is a professional life coach in Berlin, Germany. She helps ambitious job seekers in getting career clarity. For more information and to connect with  Natja, visit https://natja-boettcher.com/.