The most headache-inducing issue for professionals in the IT industry is not the problem of an IT career plan, but rather the bewilderment that arises from having no clear purpose. Many friends say that if they had an IT career goal, then all they would need to do is work hard. But now, without a goal, what should they do? How can they formulate their life plans? How can they overcome difficulties in reality? And how, in this current state of confusion, can they find the direction for their IT career growth?
Indeed, it is unrealistic and impractical to expect someone who is lost to suddenly create a comprehensive IT career plan for themselves.
### The Occurrence of Purposelessness
#### 1. Natural Growth During the Process of Enhancing One's Qualities
As we grow, the economic conditions, temperament, knowledge, interests, abilities, values, and experiences that make up our foundation also improve with age. Our understanding of the objective world, combined with our career growth needs, gradually becomes clearer. However, during the process of enhancing our foundational qualities, we may encounter a situation where, when one aspect of our qualities has just broken through or is about to break through, we suddenly lose our sense of direction. This occurs because, as our foundational qualities improve, the changes in our perception have already caused significant doubts about the previously formulated plans, and sometimes even lead to overturning them. In such cases, old goals disappear, and new ones do not emerge in time, resulting in a state of purposelessness.
For example, a young man, after striving hard to become a department manager, suddenly realizes that being a manager is entirely different from not being one. When he wasn't a manager, all he needed to do was work hard. But as a manager, the entire department’s performance becomes his evaluation criterion. If he doesn't find suitable solutions promptly, since his previous goal of working hard is no longer the main focus, his goal effectively disappears.
#### 2. Result of Unrealistic Goals Set Blindly
Another scenario involves more artificial factors. When we are in a relatively low baseline state and set an unrealistic goal that is detached from reality, over time, with constant setbacks and diminishing self-confidence, we begin to doubt the formulated goal. This doubt evolves into skepticism about the real world, leading us to believe that it's not our fault but rather that the world hasn’t given us opportunities. Consequently, we conclude that the goal is unattainable, ultimately leading to a state of purposelessness.
Consider a young man with no family background, no credentials, and no remarkable abilities entering a company with ten thousand employees. He declares that he will definitely become the vice president within three years. Such a goal does nothing but add frustration and eventually completely erodes his motivation.
#### 3. Purposelessness Caused by Multiple Goals
Someone once said that when a person sets several goals, it is equivalent to setting none. This statement is not only true for personal growth but also applies to family development, business operations, and urban management. When a person sets multiple goals, their focus naturally disperses. Some might argue that they have abundant energy, but when the goals keep changing, we end up spinning around amidst these multiple goals, struggling to juggle them all. Ultimately, this leads to a situation where none of the goals are achieved. As this situation continues, upon comparing oneself with others, one realizes the tragic truth of being directionless.
Imagine a ship sailing out of Shanghai, heading towards Tokyo at one moment and Sydney the next. When will this ship reach its destination? Which destination will it reach? In the constant switching between directions, due to the frustration of never reaching the destination, purposelessness naturally arises.
### Psychology in a State of Purposelessness
After setting a goal for oneself, the goal plays two roles: 1) A basis for effort, and 2) A driving force for oneself. The goal gives you a visible target to aim for. Achieving these goals brings a great sense of accomplishment. If the goal is unclear and the plan is vague, there is no way to measure progress or determine how many steps closer to the goal one has moved. This decreases motivation, leading to discouragement and eventually abandonment.
In the absence of a career goal, almost everyone becomes lethargic, confused, and at a loss. Because they cannot find a purpose, they feel that no matter how hard they try, it is all futile. Gradually, people tend to go with the flow, following the crowd.
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