“How to Make Progress on Your Long-Term Career Goals,” by Dorie Clark

 Fri 08 April 2022 

Chip Away at Your Long-Term Career Goals

Most of us would prefer to think long-term about our careers, rather than just veering randomly from opportunity to opportunity. But how can you be strategic if you’re not entirely sure where you ultimately want to end up? Try these four strategies:

(k1) Figure out what you don’t want.

 For instance, you might decide you never want to work for a micromanaging boss again, or you’re done with your current industry, or you no longer want to work hands-on and only want to take on advisory roles. Those are useful pieces of data that can help you form a more realistic picture of what you do want.

(2) Pick a “provisional hypothesis.”

 It’s hard to think about narrowing your options permanently so pick one direction as a hypothesis for where you want your career to go. This should be an informed choice, and you can always change your mind later, but it’ll help you to work strategically toward a plausible goal.

(3) Make progress on the basics.

 Double down on foundational, transferable skills and knowledge that will make you better, no matter what direction you ultimately decide to pursue.

Take stock of your emotional and mental energy. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your long-term career success is to take a well-deserved break, whether it’s a more formal sabbatical or simply recognizing that it’s OK to pause on ambitious new goals right now. There’s no need to beat yourself up for a smart choice.

This tip is adapted from “How to Make Progress on Your Long-Term Career Goals,” by Dorie Clark