Career planning is messy. It’s never a straight line, and it shouldn’t be. Your career is a series of experiments—some succeed, some don’t. So, if you’re at a crossroads, here are the no-BS principles to guide your decision.
1/ Run toward something, not away from something.
Most people jump jobs like they’re escaping a sinking ship. Don’t. Moving just because you’re unhappy is a trap; you’ll likely land in another dead end. Instead, make a strategic pivot toward what you want, not away from what you hate. Define what excites you and chase it.
2/ Stop searching for perfection.
Here’s a reality check: there’s no perfect job. If you’re waiting for the “ideal” role, you’ll be stuck forever. Focus instead on finding a role that’s better than what you have now. Incremental gains stack up fast in a career.
3/ Follow what you do when nobody’s paying you.
Forget about “following your passion”—it’s cliché and often misleading. Instead, look at what you naturally gravitate toward in your spare time. What’s the “work” you do for free? That’s your true north. Find a way to monetize it.
4/ Seek the hardest challenges you can find.
Your growth depends on how much you learn, not how much you earn. Chase opportunities that push you out of your comfort zone. A steep learning curve is the fastest way to make yourself indispensable. Remember, skills pay the bills.
5/ Money is a terrible decision driver.
Money matters, but it’s not everything. If you’re making decisions purely based on salary, you’re thinking short-term. The best career moves often come with a pay cut upfront but open doors you couldn’t have imagined. Don’t trade growth for a paycheck.
6/ Career moves are rarely as risky as you think.
Paralysis by analysis kills careers. Stop overthinking your next move—your experience and network aren’t erased by one bad job choice. You can recover, pivot, and come out stronger. The worst move is staying stuck in fear.
Bottom line: Your career is a series of moves, not a final destination. Make bold decisions, embrace uncertainty, and trust that you can always course-correct.