Some people always knew exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up. Some people have a bit more of a struggle in forming a clear vision for their future. That’s ok. Most Americans have 12 jobs over the course of their lives. And, 30% of people consider making a job change in any given year.

Many people over the years have come to me and asked me for advice about their careers. Most come at a time when things aren’t going well. And, while they are vulnerable, depressed, and stressed, they are essentially forced to consider what they might do differently. And, they want the quick fix.

So, what is the magic piece of advice that I give? Like so many things that are important, it isn’t easy. And, it isn’t something you can do one time and then never have to do it again. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to think more about charting your professional future and less about finding that next job or that next paycheck. This is even more true if you need to take a job you don’t love to pay the bills while you really search for what comes next. Sometimes those temporary jobs can consume a decade of your life. Let’s talk about charting your professional career.