Buzz
As you go about your daily routine, it’s easy to push aside key questions about your career—what you truly want to pursue and how to get there—while focusing on the immediate tasks at hand. And let’s face it, who wants to think about work when you finally have some time to relax?
However, getting caught up in the daily grind means you might miss the bigger picture and lose sight of your long-term goals. So, here’s a balanced approach: During your next Personal Inventory Day or Life Audit, take a moment to reflect on these questions based on where you are in your career.
Entry-Level
What skills do I want to master?
This is similar to the classic 'what’s your passion?' question, but with a focus on how to make a living. You may not find your ‘passion’ in your first job, but there’s always room to grow. So, define what you truly want to excel at. As Allison Jones notes for Fast Company, “[y]ou need to think more concretely about your motivations, needs, skills, and what you’re willing to do–or give up–in order to find that great opportunity.”
Next, consider how the company you work for (or are thinking about working for) will foster your growth. As HubSpot’s Katie Burke writes for Fast Company: “How does the team you’ll be working for plan to grow in the coming year, and what are the growth prospects for the company as a whole?”
What expertise do I need to develop to succeed?
Once you’ve pinpointed what you want to excel at in your career, ask yourself what skills are necessary to get there. “Figuring out the skills we want to use and develop and the work we’d like to do takes time and experimentation, but it’s a much more effective way to get closer to what we truly desire from our jobs,” writes Jones.
When you’ve identified the specific skills you want to acquire, you can start working toward them and hopefully avoid the aimlessness and confusion that many of us experience early in our careers (also known as a quarter life crisis).
How can I position myself for the best opportunities?
When you're starting out, what you've achieved in college or internships doesn’t matter as much. It’s your time to prove yourself and set up a path for future success. Thinking about this early on will make it much easier. What resources does your company provide for ongoing development? What networking chances can you seize? Is there a manager you can invite for coffee who might become a valuable mentor? Even if your first job isn’t ideal (and honestly, whose first job is?), there will always be something to learn and people to make an impact on.
What role does my job play in my life?
Jones points out that it's perfectly fine if work isn't your passion—it can simply be a way to an end. So take some time to think about what role you want work to play in your life. While you don’t need to have all the answers right away, it's something worth considering before advancing further in your career or starting a family. “Decide what kind of life you want and what part work will play in it,” says Jones.
Mid-Level
Which tasks energize me, and which ones drain me?
After some time in your role, you'll start to identify the tasks that motivate you and those that leave you feeling drained. Maybe you thrive when doing research and crafting PowerPoint presentations, but dread client meetings. Or perhaps it’s the reverse. Whatever it is, by recognizing what you truly enjoy (or at least tolerate), you can guide your career growth accordingly.
Do I want to pursue a management role?
This ties into the previous question but warrants its own consideration. Now is the moment to honestly evaluate if you really want to become a manager, and if so, what steps you’ll need to take to get there. Also, think about what sacrifices you may need to make in other areas of your life to make it happen. What tasks will you have to give up? Alternatively, it’s perfectly fine to not want a managerial position. Be true to yourself and what you desire.
Am I advancing in my career as I envisioned?
Once you’ve made that decision, take a moment to assess where you are in your career and where you’d like to go. Are you satisfied with your current path? Is the direction you’re headed still the one you want? If the answer is yes, great! If not, it’s time for a course correction. Here are some resources to help you: Write your own biography or try this one hour writing exercise.
Is my career enabling me to focus on what matters most?
Is your career providing you with enough financial stability, time, and flexibility to prioritize the things in life that mean more to you than your job? Now’s the moment to reflect on what truly matters and whether you need to reshape your life to make space for those priorities.
Senior Level
Where can I continue to grow?
Reaching the top doesn’t mean there’s no more room to grow. After establishing your name with the skills you developed early on, you now have the chance to continue learning and evolving, but with less pressure. Ask yourself if there’s something you’ve always wanted to master, or if another industry piques your interest. Could starting your own business or side hustle be an exciting next challenge?
What kind of legacy do I want to create?
As your career progresses, think back on what you’ve accomplished and how you’ve impacted others. Were you a mentor? Was that something you aspired to? Reflect on your reputation and what you hope to leave behind when you retire. It’s never too late to create a positive, lasting legacy.
