A career question that induces panic

“If you could do anything, what would you do?”

I used to dread this question from a well-intentioned friend or colleague. My stuttering, vague and underwhelming (to them and me) response just drained me of confidence and hope.

If this resonates with you, here’s a technique that I think could be worth a try.

Phyl Terry, in his book Never Search Alone, recommends Inversion Exercises.

To work out the future, start with what you DO NOT want to do.

Instead of thinking of all things you want to do, or would love to do, or must have in your next job - think about what you would HATE to do next, the kind of things you DO NOT enjoy.

If that’s hard for you, think about a bad job or bad boss and think about what you DO NOT want in a boss, job, working environment.

Write them down in a list. But don’t stop there!

Invert them! Flip it to the positive.

If you hate remote work, then invert it => you love in-person jobs.

If you don't like working alone, then invert it => work in teams is a “must have” for you.

This exercise won’t directly answer the question of “what next” but it will give you some essential criteria of what really matters to you.

Let us know what you think.