How to plan your career when you genuinely have no idea what you want
by Aireen Azman·May 25, 2026
I spent 3 years paralysed by this question. Here's what eventually helped.
The insight that unstuck me: Stop asking "what do I want to do?" and start asking "what have I naturally gravitated toward?" Evidence from your past is better data than introspection.
Look at: the tasks you do without being asked, the problems you've solved that others found boring, the topics you read about without it being required.
Practical exercise: Write down the 10 things you've most enjoyed doing at work or study — not the outcomes, the actual activities. Look for patterns. Mine showed a clear preference for analytical work with communication output rather than technical execution for its own sake.
On exploration: When unsure, choose the option with the most reversible downside. A startup job you can leave in 12 months is more valuable signal than a 5-year safe bet.