It is easy to imagine your career as something that happens to you.
- You finish studying.
- You get a job.
- You gain experience.
- You get promoted.
Then eventually you have a career.
Real careers are usually less predictable.
- You will make choices.
- Some will work.
- Some will not.
- You will discover things you enjoy that you did not expect.
- You will discover things you thought you wanted that do not suit you.
- You will meet people who open doors.
- You will miss opportunities.
- You will sometimes need to create your own opportunities.
That means your career deserves attention.
Not constant anxiety.
Attention.
- Pay attention to what kind of work gives you energy.
- Pay attention to what you are becoming good at.
- Pay attention to the problems people trust you to solve.
- Pay attention to the environments where you do your best work.
- Pay attention to what you want to learn next.
- You do not need a ten-year plan.
- You do need enough awareness to notice where your current direction is taking you.
The lighthouse gives you a reference point.
It does not decide the destination.
Your career is something you gradually build while steering.