Does It Make Sense to Join a Technical?

Does it make sense to join a technical/scientific professional society that requires you to print out a PDF, fill it out in ink, sign it, and mail it back in with a check? (asking for a friend)

We've all hit that point where we can't figure out exactly what we really want to do with our lives. It can come when you're 18 or when you're 50, and it's always a difficult process to work through. It's not hopeless, though! Here are a few ways to help you figure it out. Travel Travel opens your mind to possibilities. It takes you outside of your comfort zone, helps you appreciate what you have at home, or, on the flip side, helps you discover an alternative lifestyle. Work an internship It allows you to try lots of new things without making a long-term investment with one company. You can meet and talk to people honestly from various industries, pick up a few solid skills and learn whether or not you want to actually pursue a career in that field. Useful to your eventual career (if not more so) than a major corporation. Get a hobby Trying heaps of new hobbies can introduce you to passions you never might have discovered. It gets you out of your house and meeting people. And, , maybe that book club makes you realize you want to own a book store or that windsurfing lesson makes you want to jump on the next plane to Bali and teach. You can’t discover what you want to do with your life if you don’t take advantage of everything life has to offer. Be conscious of your own needs Assign at least 10 minutes daily to just think about what you really want to do in life. Make notes if you want. Jot down actions and events throughout the day that make you feel really joyous. Remaining conscious and note-taking may not directly help you but it will certainly help you build a database of things that make you happy and joyous and consequently, give you an insight into what triggers those positive feelings. Stop feeling guilty about thinking of yourself Trying to be happy, trying to think about your own things, doesn’t make you selfish. "if we all try to excel in our individual capacities, the world around us excels too." Let people around you know what you are trying to achieve Most of us love each other, want to see each other happy, and find our true place in life. Once you let people around you know what you are trying to achieve, t will actively get involved and will also come up with new and innovative suggestions. Provide yourself positive stimulus Your state of mind controls your destiny. The bad thing, and the good thing, is, your mind gives you what you give it. Read books on the lives of people who pursued their own goals and succeeded (possibly, without wreaking havoc on their loved ones), watch related movies, join forums and follow blogs such as Pick the Brain. Remember that half the battle is won once you know what you want to do. Unless you know this perfectly well (even if you have to spend a year actively trying to find it out, it’s worth it), you will again get trapped in the same loop of confusion. Anyway, to help you out in figuring out what you might like to explore or create in your life, try answering these 8 questions. 1. What did you dream of becoming when you were a child? 2. Where do you spend your free time? 3. Listen to your inner self. What does it really wish it could be doing? 4. What activity do you do that makes you feel happy and when you do it, the time just flies by? 5. What activities, events, shows, books are you attracted to? 6. Resolve your past issues. Your past does not have to decide your future. If you let your past go and any limitations you’ve placed upon yourself, what would you be doing? 7. What would success mean to you? What would the perfect life be? 8. What would you do if you had the Universal Credit Card (money is no object)? Did the questions help you to figure out "what do I want to do with my life"? Hopefully, it started some ideas anyway. Just start exploring what interests you and you'll be amazed by where it leads you. You'll wake up one day, just knowing that you're doing what you were meant to. The secret is not to let limiting beliefs get in your way or listen to people who tell you that "you'll never make any money doing that" or "that's not a career" or the famous "you should be a ..." Listen to your heart. It's your life and it's a special gift. Never censure your dreams, follow them instead. Here's some more ideas to help you figure out, what do I want to do with my life? Take Control of Your Life 5 Signs You're Stuck in a Rut and need to make some changes. Making Resolutions? Try a Life Direction this time Your Inner Voice - 4 Reasons to Listen To It Instead of Limiting Beliefs I wish you all the luck and love in the world. .D