Today, let’s talk about our career choices.
Not with the goal of focusing on happiness or regrets, but with the intention of understanding whether we made the right choice.
And the first question we need to ask is: Why?
Why did I choose my current career?
There could be countless reasons:
- For the job itself
- For the money
- Because it interested me
- Because the opportunity presented itself
- Because of my family
- Because I couldn’t find anything better…
When you reflect on these reasons and examine them honestly, you’ll likely start to see more clearly the rights and wrongs of your decision.
But did you really make a choice?
Did you do any research? Explore alternatives? Consider your interests, the future of the field, and your own long-term goals?
It’s ironic that many of us spend hours choosing an outfit or days comparing every phone model before buying one—but don’t give nearly as much thought to something that will shape a huge portion of our lives: our career.
So how are we making such a critical decision?
If you didn’t educate yourself about your options and reflect deeply, chances are you were influenced—or even pushed—by someone else. If that’s the case, I suggest taking a step back and rethinking things.
If you’re content with where you’ve ended up, no problem.
But if you’re not, maybe the root of that dissatisfaction lies in not having been in control of your own path.
Of course, being unhappy at work doesn’t automatically mean you made the wrong choice—
Just like being happy doesn’t automatically mean it was the right one.
To really understand, we need to ask ourselves even more questions.
Why, why, why…
Until it drives us a little crazy.
Maybe you’re just going through a rough patch, and with a little patience, new opportunities will emerge.
That’s why it’s so important to analyze your choices carefully—without getting swept up in emotion or the influence of others.
The Hidden Influence of Role Models
Another often-overlooked factor in career decisions is the influence of our role models.
Who are the four people you admire the most?
Why are they your role models?
Do they share the same values as you?
Whether we realize it or not, the traits we admire in others are often a reflection of parts of ourselves—or who we aspire to be. That’s why we feel connected to them.
Understanding this can give you powerful insight into yourself.
Let’s take an example.
As children, many of us answered “Atatürk” when asked about our heroes. Today, we might say “Elon Musk.”
But the answer to “Why did I choose this person?” isn’t really “because he founded the republic” or “because he’s going to Mars.”
It’s because of their qualities:
- Vision
- Stubbornness
- Innovation
- Realism
- Idealism
- Confidence
- Curiosity
Now ask yourself:
- Do I have those qualities?
- Do I want to develop them?
- Would I pour all my time and energy into something I believe in—even at great risk?
- Is constant learning part of my life?
- Am I genuinely hungry to learn, or do I prefer comfortable routines?
- Can I really lead others?
- Am I attached to comfort, or ready to step out of my safe zone?
Your answers to these questions will reveal why you’re drawn to those people.
And more importantly, they’ll help you distinguish between idolization and a true role model.
bahadirhancicek 
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