Research shows that those who are most satisfied and motivated by their work are in careers which reflect who they really are; careers which reflect their true nature and their real passions; careers which draw on their innate strengths and employ their favourite skills; careers which allow them to honour their deeply-held values.

This is why the journey of career discovery starts with self-awareness - a conscious understanding of your interests, abilities, values, motivations and thought processes. The first step is to bring what is unconscious into the light, challenging assumptions that may be limiting and inaccurate, and enabling you to believe in your own potential.

Step 1: Get to Know You

Get clear about:

  • What are my core values and how well do I honour them?
  • What am I good at?
  • What are my professional interests and areas of expertise?
  • What motivates me at work?
  • What are my greatest work achievements and successes?
  • What challenges made the hard work worthwhile, and why?
  • What do I need in my working life to be energised and satisfied?


The next step is about gathering information about the labour market. You now need to explore the occupations in your areas of interest and decide which of them could be potential career pathways for you.

Step 2: Explore Horizons

Gather information about:

  • What occupations spark my interest?
  • What professions would give me joy, meaning and purpose?
  • What trends exist in the current labour market, are there skills shortages or mismatches of supply and demand?
  • What professions could provide for the lifestyle I desire?
  • What types of jobs are in demand, and are likely to stay in
  • demand, in the next 5-10 years?


Step 3 is the most creative and exciting, as now it’s time to brainstorm as many potential career paths as possible! You need to start with dreaming, because the idea here is to be expansive, to think outside the box, not to be constrained at this stage by traditional notions of what’s possible. In truth, almost anything is possible if it’s right for you. Then zoom in on the most attractive ideas in more detail and start narrowing them down to the one that is the best fit for you right now.

Step 3: Dare to Dream

Think about:

  • What are all the professional pathways that interest you, regardless of any constraints or perceived limitations?
  • Which of these career options align best with your skills, values, interests and aspirations?
  • What are the potential challenges or drawbacks of each option, and how willing am I to navigate them?
  • Is there one option that lights the fire within my soul?
  • How can I test it out to make sure it is exactly right for me right now?


Step 4 is about turning your vision into a soundly based action plan to make it happen.

Step 4: Plan & Prepare

Questions to ask yourself:

  • What specific skills, qualifications, or resources do I need to acquire in order to pursue my chosen career?
  • What potential obstacles or challenges might stand in my way, and how can I proactively address or overcome them?
  • What are the concrete steps I need to take, and in what order, to achieve my vision?
  • Who can support me in my journey, and what resources will help me along the way?
  • What milestones can I set to track my progress and stay motivated throughout the process?


If you’ve reached this step, you’ve done an incredible job! But don’t stop there. Having a plan to become the best version of yourself is great, but only if you do the work and follow through. Everything is possible. It’s amazing what happens when you chart a course and stick to it. Sometimes it takes longer. Sometimes you have more detours. But you will eventually get there.

Step 5: Make it Happen

A few tips for staying on track:

  • Become your own biggest fan. 
  • Take time to recharge- You know what they say about all work and no play. Schedule time to be social, work out, or meditate. It will help you stay refreshed and bring your A game.
  • Practice makes perfect- if you’re trying something new, be kind to yourself. The more you practice, the sharper your skills will become.
  • Enjoy the journey- this trip is supposed to be fun. If the path to your dream isn’t bringing you joy, it may not be as fulfilling as you imagined. You should already feel a sense of passion and excitement as you work toward it.
  • Celebrate your wins- set up rewards for yourself as you hit key milestones—no matter how big or small—so you can stay motivated and enjoy the journey. 
  • Build a support system- you can’t achieve big goals on your own. Find mentors to educate you, trusted advisors to lead you, and a friendly community to cheer you on.
  • Remember, life happens- if you stumble, pause, take a deep breath, and get back on the horse. Keep moving forward!
  • And don't forget, mistakes are part of the Ride. Everyone stumbles now and then. It's all part of the journey. They are not setbacks, they are stepping stones. Learn from them, grow stronger, and keep going!

Discover the career that's right for you!

Join us for our next open cohort!
September 26 - November 28
Sign-up today