That is million-dollar question and one you should think about and consider very carefully. Whether you have just left one of educational facilities to start your working career, or decided to change your career. There is a very important question that you must ask yourself and that question is. 'What do I get out of a career?'

It is only a small question when you read it but it covers a multitude of factors. There are many important factors that you must take into consideration concerning your career. Every one of these factors must be judged on their own merit. No one is more important than next and none of these factors can be, dismissed.

Do you realise that eighty per cent of work force is working in careers that will not give them job satisfaction they are seeking. Unfortunately it is a fact of life that every single day of week, thousands of people all over world resign from their jobs, only to try somewhere else, and so cycle and frustration starts all over again.

Unless you find an occupation that you love and are enthusiastic about, you are on a never-ending treadmill going nowhere, only becoming increasingly disillusioned. Which can have a knock on effect, not only in your working environment but also in your social life as well? To have a full and rewarding life you must find a career that is right one for you.

So what are these important factors?

The first and obvious benefit for yourself is wage you collect at end of each week or month. However, should that be your main and only consideration?

The answer to that question is a big and resounding NO!

There is a very good and logical reason for above statement and that is. You may find a career that pay's you very well, but AT WHAT COST TO YOURSELF. It is no good having a career that has a great salary, if getting that salary exacts too high a price from you. That high price can come in a number of ways, but main two are stress and long hours.

STRESS!

Only recently has stress been recognised as a disease by doctors and employers.

This alone accounts for millions of lost working hours every year. Stress brought on in any form does not appear like a cold or flu. It is more devious than that and creeps up on you mainly without you knowing it. Stress can come out in various ways like making you bad tempered. You cannot sleep properly so you are continually tired; you go off your food so do not have a balanced diet.

LONG HOURS!

Is very similar to stress, only difference is you are continuously tired. The other major factor is because you are always tired your powers of concentration are at there lowest.

To earn a good salary means having no money worries, and so you will be able to afford a good standard of living. We would all like a big fat paycheque at end of each week or month. However, as old saying goes 'money is not everything'. It is no good having a big salary if you are too ill or tired to enjoy benefits.

So where do you begin to find career that is right one for you?

A TIP.

When doing following exercise do not force yourself to come up with answers. Let them come to you naturally, do not force yourself to think. Do not worry if it takes you a day or two to get your list completed and finalised. However, be sure to write down any answers that do come to you. At this stage do not worry about qualifications or anything else, but under no circumstances let anybody influence you when you are doing this exercise.

Your first step is to find somewhere where you are comfortable. Sitting propped up on your bed for instance. Then take some deep breaths to relax and clear your mind. Once you feel totally relaxed, take a sheet of paper and write in your neatest handwriting, at top of page, MY CAREER.

Underneath that write: -

ENVIRONMENT.

Write down where you would be happiest working. Break it down, for instance would you like to work outdoors, or indoors. Then break it down further, think where you would like to be for eight hours a day, a factory, a shop, or on a farm. For instance if you like outdoor life, working in an office or factory will drive you nuts.

Next sub heading is: -

DUTIES.

Write down what you would like your duties to be, i.e. looking after animals, meeting people, tending sick (a nurse for instance). Travelling, helping public, armed services, emergency services. It may turn out that you would like a combination of more than one thing. For instance travelling and meeting people as a holiday representative.

Next sub heading is: -

HOURS.

Think of what hours you would like to work, do you prefer working nine to five, office hours. Would you prefer to work a shift pattern. However, bear in mind that this shift pattern covers all seven days with your days off rotating. Therefore, working weekend is definitely part of equation, so think of your social life. Some companies may let you work at home providing you do work in allotted time scale. You may want to be self-employed and work hours to suit yourself.

Next sub heading is: -

DRESS CODE.

Think of what type of clothes you feel most comfortable in. Do you like to dress smartly; therefore, your tendency would be towards an office career of some description. Do you like idea of wearing a uniform as in say police, fire brigade, security officer or nurse? On other hand, you may prefer to be in casual cloths like jeans and a tee shirt.

Next sub heading is: -

AMBITIONS.

Think of position you would like to achieve in your career. For instance would you like to get to very top of your profession, or would you be happier at a lower level. Do you have ambitions of owning your own company some day? Do not worry about what qualifications you will need at this point. I will come to that later. The important thing for you right now is to establish how far you want to go in your career, nothing else. For argument sake if you would like to work indoors helping people, you may be thinking of a career as a nurse. OK so you are going to be a nurse, what type of nurse. Theatre nurses, a ward sister, a matron, do not limit your aspirations under any circumstances.

Next sub heading is: -

YOUR MIND

This is a very important topic and one you should give your full attention. While you where at school or college your mind has been programmed to seek out knowledge. It is imperative that this seeking of knowledge is carried forward into your career, for two very good reasons.

Well, holidays are coming to a close and it is time to get back to business!! It is hard to believe it is year 2003!!

Sometimes after hectic holidays, getting back to day-to-day routine of running an online business can be hard. If you are like me, you kind of feel like you have lost your groove or your focus and need to get back in swing of things.

A few things that may help us do this are:

1. Review - Take a little time to go over 2002. What were your goals? How were you going to achieve these goals? Did you achieve your goals? If not, DO NOT be discouraged. We are at brink of a new year! Realize what could have kept you from reaching your goals and make necessary changes.

2. Revise - Make new goals and write out a new business plan. Learn from your experiences, good and bad, and improve your outlook and success. Make note of all you did right and all you did wrong. Reform your methods for a bigger and better year!