Control Your Future
⏲️Estimated Reading Time: 6.5 Minutes
Published on: Feb 3, 2021
Updated on: June 27, 2025
You Are the CEO of Your Life
Are you where you want to be in your career? Have you mapped out a clear, purposeful plan—or are you letting life (and your job) just happen to you?
Whether you're seeking a promotion, switching industries, or simply craving more meaning in your work, one truth remains: no one is coming to design your dream career for you. That job belongs to you.
This post is your wake-up call—and your toolkit. Inside, you'll find:
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5 practical strategies to own your career path
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How to identify what’s missing and take aligned action
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A free downloadable Career Planner to help you get started today
Step 1: Map Your Future with Intention🗺️
You can't get where you're going if you don't know where you are.
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Start by auditing your current role, skills, and responsibilities.
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Reflect on your values, strengths, and long-term goals.
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Use this clarity to set short-, medium-, and long-term career targets.
🎁 Download our free Career Planner Template to start mapping your goals and tracking your progress.
Before you plan your career track, make sure that you are actually in the right career first. Sometimes we find ourselves in a position because we are successful at it, or because we think we have to, and it doesn't align with who we are. With that in mind, before you start the above exercise, please listen to this and ask yourself if you are currently in the right spot before mapping your future:
Step 2: Skill Up
Once you’ve identified the gap between where you are and where you want to be, it’s time to close it.
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Take relevant courses or certifications (many employers will pay for them).
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Tap into online learning platforms, books, podcasts, or YouTube.
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Find a mentor or coach who can accelerate your growth.
📚 Need inspiration? Check out our list of the best online learning tools here.
Step 3: Build Your Network—Inside and Out
Your next opportunity will likely come from your connections, not just your qualifications.
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Attend networking events, speak up in meetings, and connect across departments.
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Outside your company, show up on LinkedIn or volunteer in industry groups.
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Relationships create visibility—and visibility opens doors.
Step 4: Show You Can Do the Job
Don’t wait for permission to prove you’re ready for more.
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Volunteer for high-impact projects.
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Take initiative and solve real problems.
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Document your wins and share your results.
Think of this as your “audition” for your next role—except it’s on your terms.
Step 5: Align with Leadership
Once you’ve done the inner work and started showing up, don’t leave your advancement to chance.
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Book a meeting with your manager to align on your goals.
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Be clear about what you want, and ask how to get there.
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Collaborate on a plan and follow up consistently.
If the company can't or won’t support your growth, that’s powerful data too—and you’ll be ready to pivot with purpose.
Ready to Own Your Path?
Your career is not just a job. It’s a huge part of your life, your legacy, and your happiness. Waiting passively is no longer an option.
🎯 Download the FREE Career Planner to start mapping your next chapter with clarity and confidence.
Quote to Remember:
“You are the CEO of your life. Act like it.” – Unknown
Design YOUR Life ~ Be Authentic. Be You. Be Sharp.
