If there is one question I hear from Gen Y workers, it has to do with career paths…of wanting to understand how to pick a career, how to find passion and meaning in your life. Years ago, in my more smartass years, I would tell people that if you have to ask about your career path, chances are you aren’t on it. For every person who has had a wonderful career, I think most will say it did not happen on purpose. And, people on the outside looking in, can help or sometimes advise. But really, it is up to you.

In my own case, I was not trained or educated to be an entreprenuer. But one day, Scott Drill was talking to me about his old company, Kroy, Inc, and how he believed they were making all these bad decisions. (He was 27 and I was 31—the arrogance of youth is a powerful thing. But that is another topic.) After hearing him talk about these mistakes and the size of the market, I asked a career and life changing question, with literally no preconceived thought. I asked “why don’t we figure out how to make a product that does the same thing and compete against them.” That simple question, unplanned, led to a lifelong relationship with Scott and has lead to an entreprenual type career for me.  We went ahead and formed a company to do just that.

James Michener, one of my favorite authors, didn’t begin writing until he was forty years old. His books, Hawaii, Centennial, Alaska and about 40 more were all written after he turned 40. He said that anything you do before 40 is simply practice. It might well take that long before you find your passion, or your calling in life.

So, my simple advice for Gen Y who are concerned about finding your way, your calling, is to take comfort in the fact it is ok to accumulate experiences, knowledge and awareness. You will find yours…just like Michener did.

Sometimes the things you wait for and dream about…even if you don’t the specific yet, …will happen.