As children our responsible adults nudge and occasionally shove us towards new activities. Depending on how adventurous we are by nature and by nurture, tackling our quota of great unknowns is part of growing up. We learn to face our fears and we figure out the things we love and  loathe.  I can thank my family two of my great loves - baking and singing. They also introduced me to orienteering and sailing - two items definitely on my ‘loathing list’.

Last week I listened to an Invisibilia podcast about a man who made an app that expanded his horizons.  Every day he did something new based on the local Facebook events his app collated. He opened himself up to entirely fresh places and people and pursuits.

Every new thing we try reveals something about our abilities and our interests. These insights can be priceless career change clues. What does liking chess but hating scrabble say about you? Why are you attracted by a writing course but repelled by a painting workshop?

The more we try new things, the more open and courageous and cluey we become about where we might fit in a world full of possibilities. It can help us to add parts to the jigsaw of figuring out our next career change. Some say little experiments improve our lives.

Recently I went to an ‘improv’ comedy workshop. While the blurb said ‘no experience necessary’ my ‘scaredy cat’ self was hunting for an excuse not to go. I had to summon up the courage to get there but ended up signing up for an 8 week course! Who knows? Perhaps I‘ll love it.

Maybe I’ll let my inner comic loose at a gig near you – just joking (sort of).

By Jo Green, Career Change Coach

I know what it feels like to be lost in your career. I also know that when you find what you love, heart and soul, your life changes. I work every day with people who are reshaping their current careers, starting new enterprises or searching for a new direction. Basically I help people who don’t like their job to figure out what to do instead!

As a Careershifters and Firework Advanced Certified Coach and experienced career changer myself, I can help you figure out what fulfilling work looks like for you.

Drop me a note to organise a free 20 minute consultation to chat about your career change and how coaching could help.