The Right Way to Plan Your Career: A Roadmap
Ready to intentionally plan your career but not sure where to start?
Career changers often ask me, “What’s the right way to explore my career options?”
If you’re like many high-performers, you may be used to career options presenting themselves. You work hard, someone notices, and an opportunity or promotion comes your way.
But your current options are not giving you the day-to-day fulfillment you crave. You’re ready to play a more active role in determining your career trajectory, but fatigue, uncertainty, fear, and overwhelm are stopping you in your tracks.
Whether your career vision is murky, or you have a clear picture and just want to know the concrete steps to get there, you need a roadmap.
Of course, there’s more than one “right” way to plan your career. And I know better than to get in the way of your ambition and limit your choices. Let’s get started.
6 Ways to Explore Career Options Without Boxing Yourself In
Here’s how to explore all the options and open your eyes to possibilities you didn’t even know were there.
1. Put Your Vision On Paper
What do you really want in your career and life? Put it down on paper.
Get it out of your brain and into the real world, so you can see it.
So many of my clients take huge leaps forward once they take this simple step. There’s something magical about the clarity and commitment this activity brings.
Yet, it’s normal to feel resistance. Maybe your career goals feel like a fairytale, or you struggle to conjure anything at all.
Don’t stop yourself before you’ve even begun. Right now, you’re just getting honest with yourself about what you know you want.
There’s plenty of time to fill in the gaps and figure out how to make it happen.
Having a crystal clear picture of what you want is the most critical step in evaluating your career options. If you don't know what you're looking for, how will you know when you've found it?
2. Think Big and Stay Broad
A common pitfall when thinking through options is to get too narrow too quickly.
People often look at existing job titles or roles, then get mired in the specifics.
This is a surefire way to limit yourself to the obvious career options.
Are you looking for a job you could do or the job you want to do?
Rather than trying to squeeze yourself into a role that already exists, try defining requirements for yourself first. Then look for options that align to your definition.
Start with these questions:
What things must you do most days to be happy?
What are the values and ideas that guide you?
What are you motivated to do more than anything?
What do you love most about your current and past roles?
What’s really important for you to make space for in your life?
This is also a great way to build balance and sustainability into your career from the start: design your life first, then consider career options that support that lifestyle.
3. The Power of Saying “No”
Ugh, I have ignored this tip. SO. MANY. TIMES.
Sometimes when you're eager to make a change and a great-on-paper opportunity appears, you feel compelled to take it—even when it doesn’t feel quite right.
It’s at this moment when you have to trust your gut. If the opportunity doesn’t feel right, get curious, tweak your vision, and prepare for the next opportunity.
There’s real power in identifying the deal-breakers in those really-great-but-not-quite-right opportunities. Those elements have the potential to deplete you.
There’s power in refusing to settle. It will serve you well beyond your next career move.
And recognizing what you want instead will lead you to the right opportunity that keeps you engaged and happy for the long-term.
4. Talk About It
One of the best things you can do to plan your career is to talk about what you want.
To everyone.
Yes, even before you’re ready. Even before you’re 100% clear.
Talking about your options generates enthusiasm, accountability, and new ideas.
The process of articulating to someone else what’s been rattling around in your brain brings clarity and power to your description.
Plus, talking to people will keep you top of mind when they come across opportunities that seem like a good fit for you.
If you haven’t done so already, read more about how building a Success Team works like passive income for your career by downloading the free guide: 4 Steps To Take Back Your Life and Design a Career With Purpose.
5. Just Do Something
It’s critical to take action—big or small.
Set aside time each week to learn or do something related to your career goals.
Move forward. Inhabit that world. Thinking alone will not get you there.
I started my business with the simple act of writing a blog post every other week.
Years later, I have 100+ posts, a YouTube channel, hundreds of happy clients, and a thriving business built around my lifestyle and who I am at my best.
But it started with the small-but-consistent step of sharing one blog every 2 weeks.
6. Stay Open to the Unexpected Opportunities
Especially if you’re ambitious, it can be frustrating when the expected results don't come quickly.
You wonder what you’re doing wrong…or what others think.
You may even over-personalize it and wonder if you’re good enough.
When the outcome you want doesn’t arrive immediately, take it as a sign that there’s a lesson to be learned here.
Maybe it’s time to focus on your health or relationships. Maybe there’s a different, better outcome that hasn’t yet presented itself.
Focus on the journey, and keep taking steps.
At best, the next step could break open your career. At worst, it will provide a lesson, skill, or experience you can apply anywhere.
Each step is intrinsically valuable and prepares you for the right opportunity.
When You Plan Your Career, Remember That You're The Boss
When thinking through career options, it’s important to remember that you're in charge.
You have the power to create any opportunity. The only person who can force you to settle for less is YOU.
To plan your career the “right” way, start by defining what you truly want, take consistent steps forward, and stay open to the possibilities.
Author Bio:
Before becoming a coach, Caroline worked in management consulting and financial services. She's made it her mission to help people grow, contribute, and get wherever they want to go.
She’s also a tennis fanatic, aspiring Minimalist, FIRE (Financial Independence and Retire Early) enthusiast, and Aloha Spirit seeker 🤙. She loves to share stories from her unconventional life and career focused on freedom, creativity, fun, health, family, and community. If she can do it, you can, too.
The life and career you want is possible once you have the roadmap. Take the first step by downloading your free guide: 4 Steps To Take Back Your Life and Design a Career With Purpose.
