Recently a question was asked:

Laura, I want to change careers but have several possible areas of interest.  How do I decide where to focus?

First, write your career interests down and choose the 2-3 that appeal to you most.  Is there an overlap in two or more of these?  That may point to a niche area that can help you more narrowly define your interest. 

If your interests are widely divergent, start by choosing the one that draws you the most right now.  Dedicate one week to dive deeply into the topic:  research this career on the internet; read trade magazines; talk to practitioners.    Learn about the day-to-day activities on the job and possible career paths. Explore the financial and intrinsic rewards.  Investigate the skills required and educational programs related to this career.  Unearth everything you can find.

Imagine yourself doing the job day in and day out:  What would you love about it?  What would be boring or challenging for you?  Who will be your clients and co-workers?  Will you enjoy dealing with the people involved in this business? 
While exploring the topic, tune in to your emotions.  You may start your week excited and feeling fully committed to a given career direction.  And as you immerse yourself in the details and “feel” what it might be like to live the reality, your excitement might cool.  Keep a journal to record your impressions.

Amy, coming from a consulting background, explored the worlds of interior design, botanical illustration, art therapy and psychology.  Aspects of each excited her, but by thoroughly exploring the realities of these interests (For example:  working as an artist herself would be too isolating, she didn’t want to go back to school for more graduate degrees, her financial expectations may not be met…) she realized that those careers would not be satisfying on a daily basis.  However, she did notice overlaps related to the arts and advising which yielded a new possibility:  Now she is a thriving business coach specializing in helping designers and artists start their small businesses.

Once narrowed to an area of focus, it’s time to explore further.  Don’t let fear of the unknown stop you now!  Gather the information you need to make sure your next step is the right career choice.  Read:  5 Steps to Prevent a Career Change Mistake.

Steve Pavlina also has a refreshing perspective on this topic, including strategies for making money using your multiple interests:  What If You Have Many Different Interests and Cannot Commit to Any of Them?