Religious Messages + Career Decisions

As a career coach, I often wonder if religious messages have impacted a client’s career choices. This has certainly been the case for me. 

I grew up in a conservative religious environment and was taught a problematic message: I couldn't trust myself. 

Directly and indirectly, I was told that my desires and intuition were inherently flawed and that I was incapable of choosing what was best for me.

I was taught to trust something outside of myself (e.g., God, a holy book, a spiritual leader – usually a white man) to guide my life choices. 

This left me with unrealistic expectations about discovering an appropriate career path. For the longest time, I imagined that someone or something would intercede in my life and I would suddenly KNOW my path (enter lightning strike or some other life-changing epiphany). 

Does this happen for some people? Yes! I’m thrilled for them (and a bit jealous). 

But more often than not, people find their path through lots of experimentation, learning by doing, and most importantly, deeply listening to themselves. 

Will I seek counsel from others? Yes. But will I allow their voices to become louder than my own? No. I believe that I have a purpose/mission/dharma for my life and I am fully capable of discovering it for myself by following my own heart and mind. 

Has religious messaging impacted your career choices, for better or worse?