SELF-AWARENESS: GOALS AND INTERESTS
1. Self-awareness: goals and interests
1.5. Interests
Interests reflect what captivates us and the areas we wish to delve into. These are activities that bring us pleasure and to which we dedicate our free time. Interests often arise from our curiosity and desire to explore the world.
A need is the absence of something that must be fulfilled, such as food or warmth. Once the need is met, it disappears.
In contrast, an interest can persist even after the initial need is satisfied. For example, a person who enjoys cooking may continue to develop in this area even when they are already full.
Interests and values are not always identical. We may be interested in something that we don't necessarily value, or we may value something that we have little interest in. For example, a person may be interested in finance but value spiritual matters more.
Our interests can be very diverse and change over time. They may be related to leisure, work, social relationships, or personal development. To better understand ourselves, it is worth paying attention to what we enjoy doing in our free time. This can help us discover new hobbies and enjoy life more. Leisure time is a great opportunity to uncover our hidden talents and passions. By analyzing what we enjoy doing in our free time, we can better understand which professional fields would be most interesting and suitable for us.
Play the memory game. Find the pairs of images depicting these leisure interests: cooking, reading, drawing, video games, sewing, photography, gardening, wood carving, sports, engineering.
Professional interests indicate the fields in which a person feels strong motivation to develop and achieve professionalism. Often, what begins as a hobby or passion can turn into a career. The spectrum of professional interests is very broad and covers various areas of activity.
To choose the right career, it is important to have a good understanding of your own interests. J. Holland, a renowned researcher of professional interests, suggests that people can be classified into six main groups based on what interests them the most. This classification helps not only to recognize one's strengths but also to find a job that best matches one's personality.
J. Holland's Types of Professional Interests
Source: http://www.kastu.lt/files/OHN_L_HOLLANDO_profesijos_pasirinkimo_testas.pdf
There is no doubt that knowing your interests will make career decisions easier. The simplest way to determine your interest type is to take the J. Holland test.
Holland Test https://holland.lmnsc.lt/
Interests can also be identified in other ways to help understand what truly fascinates you.
What interests you? Make a list of all activities, issues, or topics that spark your curiosity or interest. These can be related to your work, studies, hobbies, or anything else. Even the smallest hobbies, which may seem insignificant, can contain important interests that help you choose the right career path. Start each sentence with "I am interested in...", "I really enjoy...", "I love...".
What profession appeals to you? Make a list of all professions that seem interesting to you, even if you currently have no opportunity to explore them. Include professions you dreamed about in childhood. Childhood dreams often reveal our true interests, which we tend to forget as adults.
Perform the practical task.