I get uncomfortable when people ask me what my career goals are. I guess I consider the thought of a (single) career too linear, and frankly, I don’t really know what I want to do next. I’m lucky enough to have gotten pretty good at both being useful and learning new things, so I’m not worried about being employed, though maybe I should be (I’m looking at you ChatGPT). Regardless, I’m working on this “career” question now with my coach and have two guiding perspectives that I am finding helpful.

One perspective on having a career is that you work because you love doing something and you want to do more of it. Gradually, you build scope and impact because you are doing work that you love until, one day, you realize you’ve built a great career.

Another perspective on having a career is that you work because you value a certain type of lifestyle and want your life to match that. Gradually, you select work based on how you want your days to look and who you want to spend time with until, one day, you realize you’ve built a great life.

These things aren’t mutually exclusive. One approach isn’t better than the other. It’s totally fine to prioritize either perspective, and many of us will probably switch our priorities often throughout our lives. Actually, I would go so far as to say most people should switch priorities depending on what’s most important to them.

Wouldn’t it be great to realize both perspectives at the same time?

Your career is a vehicle for the type of person you are going to become. Perspective matters.