Stage 7 of 7 · 7 lessons · ~2 weeks

Turn self-knowledge into choices

Turn your strengths, values and energy into clear criteria, explore a few possible paths, test them with small experiments, and use them to choose a course, a direction and a job.

Start: Turn what you know into criteria

Lessons· one lesson for each topic, in this order

Do this

Write and rank five to seven personal criteria, including real constraints
Score your next course or job decision against your top three criteria
Sketch three possible five-year lives and rate each one
Have at least one conversation with someone two or three years ahead on a path you are considering
Run one small experiment, like a short course or weekend project, and write what you learned
Make or schedule one decision you have been putting off
Write a new one-page snapshot and set a yearly review date

Start with· follow one of these

RoadmapFree
Sefism Tech Roles Beyond Coding Roadmap
Sefism · Beginner
See the many tech roles beyond coding before you narrow your options
RoadmapFree
Sefism Your First Tech Job Roadmap
Sefism · Beginner
Turn a direction into a plan for your first job

Practise

ADPList
Book free conversations with people already doing the work you are considering

Keep handy

Sefism Masters and Scholarships Abroad Roadmap
If one of your possible lives includes a master's degree, the full path is here
Sefism Switch into Tech Roadmap
If your direction means changing field, a step-by-step way to do it

Also worth your time

The Defining Decade (Meg Jay)ReadPaid
Why your twenties matter for work and life, and how to use them on purpose

Before moving on: A ranked list of five to seven personal criteria, three sketched five-year lives, two small experiments done with notes on what you learned, a decision you had been postponing made or scheduled, and a yearly review date in your calendar.

Tauseef's advice

Self-knowledge is not meant to sit in a notebook. Use it. You will never feel completely sure, and you do not need to: choose with the best evidence you have, test small, and review. And remember that a path which supports your family for now and builds towards what you want later is a real choice, not a compromise you should be ashamed of.

Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).