How do we know we are on the right path ? It occurred to me that it might help our choices to share our experiences here. and it might be helpful to others at a crossroads. I will kick off by sharing what helped me,

As a teenager my parents suggested careers that might suit me, more financially rewarding perhaps and suiting my talents, they meant it kindly but my heart was not in those careers, my heart drew me to nursing and I followed my heart into nursing though as they pointed out the pay and conditions were apalling - first pay packet was £4 to last the month, and I can remember working 13, 12 hour nights, on the trot. It was hard, studies were fitted in between nursing duties, not separate as it is now, ward sisters ruled with a rod of iron, but I loved it, pay and conditions gradually improved, and I stayed in that career for 40 years, never bored, never regretted the choice. For me having the courage to challenge my parents ideas and going with my heart it was the right choice for me.. Personally I feel if your heart is not in the choice it is unlikely to work.I made changes along the way and my heart was in each change.

We grow and learn as we age,what suits in our twenties might change in our forties, and again in our sixties. it may be safe to follow what we know, but often I made a new choice to stretch my capabilities, it worked well for me - life never got boring

when it was hard to see the best choice II wrote down on paper the pro's and cons, one column for benefits and a second column for possible problems, once down in black and white it was easier to see the best option - but again I would check to see if my heart was in it.

goals, we all have long term ambitions, every journey starts with the first step,  I check  small steps are in line with where i hope to be long term

Sometimes a door slams in your face, it can be disappointing but keep your goals in mind and sometimes a better route is offered later often better than the door that slammed - so have faith and don't let despair get you in its grip.

One constant in life is change, being aware of this I learned to surf the changes and be alert for opportunities as they arose.

You are unique, take only what is helpful to you from any source, what works for me may not for you, hoping this helps some along the way, Please share your ideas that may be more useful than mine.