It’s not the lack of talent that holds people back, but the lack of direction 

Do you often find yourself asking, “Am I really where I’m meant to be?” 

You’re not alone. A 2024 report by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) found that nearly 48% of working professionals and students feel uncertain and unclear about their career goals. Some follow the trend, some seek stability, and some chase higher paychecks. But many realize later that their choices don’t feel truly fulfilled and satisfied. They end up being dissatisfied with how their career is shaping up. 

 

The story of Rakshitha 

Rakshitha was an engineer who joined a reputed company right after graduation. Her job paid well, her team was supportive, and everything looked fine from outside. Yet, something inside her felt off - not aligned with what she had expected from her career growth. Something felt missing. She often wondered why she didn’t feel the same excitement as others. Each morning, she found it harder to feel that natural drive or joy to go to work. 

Weeks passed, and Rakshitha tried everything she could to feel better - new projects, more learning, even longer work hours. She couldn’t point out what was wrong; she only knew that something didn’t feel right anymore. It wasn’t about her skills or her workplace. It was a quiet discomfort that came from within, the kind that makes you pause and think. 

One evening, after another long day that looked successful on the outside but felt hollow inside, she sat by her window and asked herself a simple question, “What am I really chasing?” 

That single moment of honesty became a turning point. She asked the right question to herself. Through external coaching and reflection, she realized that clarity doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from understanding what truly matters and aligns to you - your values, your energy, and your sense of purpose. 

 

That’s when she came across the Career Adaptability Theory by psychologist Mark Savickas, which explains how people can manage career challenges with awareness and flexibility. 

The Four Building Blocks of Career Adaptability 

Career adaptability isn’t about changing jobs constantly. It’s about developing the ability to stay balanced when things shift - whether by your choice or by circumstance. 

1. Career Concern - Looking Ahead with Awareness 

It begins with thinking about your future without anxiety. 

• Ask yourself where you see your career in 3 to 5 years. 

• Check if your present efforts are taking you in that direction. 

When you think ahead consciously, you begin to plan, not panic. 

 

2. Career Control - Taking Responsibility for Choices 

Control comes when you start taking ownership of your decisions. 

• Set small and realistic goals for growth. 

• Review them every few months to see what is working for you. 

When you take responsibility, you feel more grounded and confident in your path. 

 

3. Career Curiosity - Staying Open to Possibilities 

Curiosity keeps your learning alive. 

• Speak to people in different fields, ask about their journeys. 

• Explore short courses or side projects that help you test your interests. 

Curiosity turns uncertainty into discovery. It helps you see that your options are wider than you imagined. 

 

4. Career Confidence - Trusting Your Ability to Handle Change 

Confidence grows through experience and reflection. 

• List down moments when you overcame difficulties or learned something new. 

• Remind yourself that mistakes are lessons, not setbacks. 
  
  

Confidence doesn’t come from knowing it all; it comes from knowing you can figure things out. 

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