I said to a student last night, “you’re practically a senior!” The student said, “I still have no idea what I’m doing!”
I leaned in and said conspiratorially, “Me either.”
My advice: keep faking it, and eventually you have a career.
The patterns will only be clear in reverse; keep working hard at things you’re passionate about, and before long, you’ll be looking backwards at a life you’re proud of.
I told him that this Saturday, I’m attending the premiere of my most recent original composition – music I didn’t ask to write; the conductor of a fine choral organization called me up and said, in short, “can I trade you money for some of your creativity?” It will be premiered Saturday with well over 100 musicians culminating months of work.
I didn’t plan this–couldn’t have imagined it when I was my student’s age. And yet, looking back, I can see how my constant pursuit of passion has led me to where I am.
In short: don’t worry if you don’t know where you’re headed, and don’t let the lack of knowing stop you from heading out.