Charting Your Path: 5 Simple Actions To Create A Career Roadmap That Works

Career planning is a delicate balance of crafting our future while staying open to life’s surprises.

According to a 2023 Gallup study, only 34% of U.S. employees feel engaged at work. The same research found that people with clear career development plans were 3.5 times more likely to be engaged in their jobs. 

Yet, most spend more time planning their next vacation than mapping out their professional future (no judgment here!).

With this in mind, career strategist and TaskHuman Coach Brenda Bentley aims to decode the art of career planning. It starts by assessing where you are, envisioning where you want to go, and – most importantly – creating an actionable plan to get there. 

Follow along for five practical steps to follow. No more feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next move. You don’t need to figure it all out at once. This is your journey.

Let’s dive in.

Why Career Planning Matters

Think of a clear career development plan as having a compass. “Even if you have to take a few detours along the way, you still know where you’re going and can get back on track,” Coach Brenda explains. Without this, many employees leave their positions because they feel there are no opportunities to advance. 

There can also be misconceptions about career development. You may believe that career planning is too rigid and that if you lock yourself into a particular path, you’ll somehow miss all the opportunities that come your way because they don’t fit the original plan. 

On the other hand, you might worry that seizing random opportunities can result in a messy career journey because you never know what’s coming up and when.

In reality, it’s about being intentional and “staying on the path or deciding to detour. Then you’re in control and driving the bus,” Brenda affirms.

Set your plan, and pivot when you need to

The benefits of having a structured approach to your career development extend far beyond climbing the corporate ladder in terms of higher job satisfaction, stronger relationships at work, increased productivity levels, and better work-life balance.

Perhaps most importantly, career planning gives you agency. 

In today’s job market, where AI and automation are reshaping entire industries, having a clear understanding of your direction becomes your superpower. It’s the difference between actively shaping your future and merely reacting to changes as they come.

“The value of career planning is self-ownership,” Coach Brenda emphasizes. “Get others to help you, but you own your roadmap.” 

This ownership is crucial – Only 43% of U.S. workers (Source: American Psychological Association) report being satisfied with the opportunities for growth and development at their place of work. With happy workers more likely to be productive and satisfied in their jobs, it pays to be engaged.

Think of career planning as your professional insurance policy. It doesn’t prevent all problems, but it gives you the tools and confidence to handle whatever comes your way. 

And in a world where the average person changes jobs 5 – 7 times over their lifetime (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), that kind of preparation is invaluable.

Your Five-Step Plan For Creating A Practical Career Roadmap

Step 1: Assess your current position and understand where you are

“Career planning is like a roadmap,” Brenda explains thoughtfully. “You can’t plot your course without knowing your starting point.” 

Countless professionals jump straight to job hunting without truly understanding what drives them. If you don’t know where you are now, you won’t be able to orient yourself toward where you want to go.

Understanding your starting point

First, take a professional inventory or start with what Brenda calls the “energy audit.” Ask yourself, “What kinds of activities energize you? What motivates you to get out of bed?” 

These are more than just feel-good questions – they’re strategic tools. 

A Gallup study found that employees who work in alignment with their natural strengths are up to six times more engaged in their jobs.

Your assessment should cover these key areas:

• Your technical skills: The concrete abilities you’ve developed through education and experience. Review them and rate your proficiency honestly. Regularly accessing your skills means you can double down on your strengths, address your weaknesses, and progress faster and more sustainably.

• Your soft skills: Those harder-to-measure but crucial abilities like communication, leadership, and adaptability. “Do you like to work alone or with others?” Brenda prompts. “This would be a good place for a personality assessment.”

• Your work style preferences: Some people thrive in structured corporate environments, while others need creative freedom. Job satisfaction increases by 50% when your work environment matches your natural preferences (The Myers-Briggs Foundation).

Finding your purpose

“What makes your heart sing?” Brenda asks.

This isn’t just poetic language – it’s about identifying your core motivators. People who align their careers with their sense of purpose are 40% more likely to stay in their roles long-term (Source: The University of Pennsylvania).

Pro Tip: For one week, keep an “energy journal.” Note which tasks energize you and which drain you. Look for patterns. Are you most alive when solving complex problems? When helping others? When creating something new?

Remember, this isn’t about finding your “one true calling.” As Brenda notes, “What matters is understanding what drives you right now.” This self-awareness is your foundation for all future career decisions.

Step 2: Envision your destination – Dream big while staying grounded

Brainstorm your dream career. “Use a magic wand — if there were no obstacles, what would that job be?” encourages Brenda.

The power of dreaming big

This approach challenges the natural tendency to self-edit our dreams before they even take shape. 

Career visioning needs to be both aspirational and actionable. Consider using Brenda’s “time horizon” approach: “Look ahead 5-10 years ahead. Then break it down into goals of 1-2 years, then 5, then 10.”

Setting time-based goals

Let’s break this down practically:

• Short-term (1-2 years): These are your concrete and measurable immediate stepping stones. Maybe it’s mastering a new skill, earning a certification, or taking on more responsibility in your current role. 

• Medium-term (5 years): This is where you can start thinking bigger. As Brenda emphasizes, ask yourself: “Do you want to move up in your current company? A new company? Make a pivot? Or start your own business?”

• Long-term (10 years): This is your “magic wand” territory. Studies have found that even writing down your long-term goals makes you 42% more likely (Source: Dominican University of California) to achieve them, so don’t skip this! 

Exploring career path options

Career growth goes beyond climbing the corporate ladder. Modern careers can take several shapes:

• Vertical Growth: The traditional upward path with a modern twist. There’s no doubt that leadership roles will require significantly different skills in the future than they do today.

• Lateral Moves: Sometimes the best way up is sideways. This means moving to a new role at the same level you’re at now, typically within the same company. Great for learning new skills and experience.

• Career Pivots: Brenda encourages ensuring “goals align with desires.” The pandemic taught us that career flexibility is crucial – 38% of professionals in the UK successfully pivoted to new industries in 2020-2021 (Source: TopCV).

• Entrepreneurship: Starting your own business or organization is an increasingly common path. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that there are an average of 4.7 million businesses that start each year.

Your career vision should excite you every time you think about it – if it doesn’t, that’s a sign to revisit and adjust.

Step 3: Conduct your gap analysis – Bridge where you are and where you want to be

For Coach Brenda, a gap analysis is “just the distance from where you are to where you want to be.” This is where the rubber meets the road. 

According to a LinkedIn Learning report, 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career development. To do so, you need to know exactly what development you need.

Brenda outlines a practical approach: “Research desired role, job description, and required skills. Connect with seasoned professionals in this field to check for those skills and needs. Conduct informal interviews to assess your skills against requirements.”

Let’s break this down with actions:

1. Start with real job descriptions for your target role. Pull 5-10 listings that represent where you want to be.
2. Create a “skills matrix,” listing every requirement you find. 
3. Rate yourself from 1-5 on each requirement using Brenda’s simple but effective scale: “1 = low in skills, experience, and education. 5 = I have them all.”

Pattern recognition

“Gaps may also show you patterns,” Brenda points out, and this is crucial since these patterns often reveal surprising insights. 

Maybe you consistently rate lower in leadership skills, or perhaps your technical abilities are solid, but your industry knowledge needs work.

Here’s the empowering part – identifying your gaps puts you ahead of the curve.

“Then you can establish these ‘next steps’ to move around these obstacles and turn them into growth,” Brenda advises. 

This reframing is powerful. A gap isn’t a deficiency – it’s an opportunity for development.

Consider this: According to the World Economic Forum, 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025. Your gap analysis isn’t just about catching up – it’s about staying ahead.

Remember to do what Brenda emphasizes: “Does this still match with my goals and purpose.” Sometimes identifying gaps helps us realize we need to adjust our destination, and that’s perfectly okay.

Step 4: Develop your action plan – Turning insights into action

“Because you can see the gaps now, you can create a plan to address these,” Brenda explains with enthusiasm. This is where all your previous work – self-assessment, vision-setting, and gap analysis – comes together into something concrete and actionable.

Creating SMART goals

Use SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Brenda offers a perfect example: “I will learn [specific software] within 4 weeks by completing and passing a LinkedIn learning test by June 2025.”

This framework works. Writing down your long-term goals with intention makes you more likely to achieve them.

Building your development roadmap

Here’s a practical approach that combines Brenda’s insights with proven strategies:

1. List your priority gaps: Focus on the most critical skills first. Figure out what you need to know and how you’re going to learn and practice it.

2. Break down big goals: “List the needs you identified to reach your goals,” Brenda suggests. “This is a good time to work with a coach – to help you set up an action plan with achievable goals. It can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and establish accountability.”

3. Create milestone celebrations: “Measure your progress and celebrate milestones (no matter the size!!),” Brenda emphasizes. Psychological studies show that celebrating small wins increases motivation and persistence.

Using accountability systems

“Hold yourself accountable to tasks and deadlines,” Brenda stresses. “Go back and check – did I do it? On time?” This regular check-in process is crucial. Cambridge University found that if you share a goal with someone, you’re 60% more likely to achieve it. 

Consider these accountability strategies:

• Monthly career development check-ins with yourself
• Quarterly reviews of your progress with a mentor or coach
• Regular updates to your LinkedIn profile reflecting new skills
• Documentation of your learning journey through a professional portfolio

Now think about your resources. Any sort of growth takes nurturing, and this means investment.

This is also the time to be realistic about what you need to invest – whether it’s time, money, or both. 

Remember Brenda’s practical wisdom: “Stay flexible and willing to adjust depending on how life evolves.” Your action plan should be a living document, not a rigid mandate.

Step 5: Stay flexible, review regularly, and adapt your roadmap

“Be ready to pivot,” Brenda emphasizes with conviction. “Maybe you start to tweak what you want or what happens along the way.”

The World Economic Forum predicts that 85 million jobs will be displaced by 2025 while 97 million new ones will emerge. This flexibility isn’t just helpful – it’s essential.

The art of the pivot

Think of your career plan as a GPS that recalculates when encountering unexpected roadwork and recall Brenda’s advice: “Regularly review your plan. Are you still aligned with your career aspirations?” 

Schedule quarterly “career alignment checks” where you ask yourself:

• Are my goals still exciting and relevant?
• Has my industry changed in ways that affect my plan?
• Have new opportunities emerged that I should consider?
• Do my values and priorities still align with my chosen path?

How to maintain momentum while staying agile

“Mapping helps achieve goals, motivates, increases productivity, and strengthens relationships with mentors/supervisors at work,” Brenda notes. 

Flexibility doesn’t mean abandoning your plan at the first sign of change. Instead, it means:

• Keeping your core values and strengths as your compass
• Staying informed about industry trends and emerging opportunities
• Building transferable skills that remain valuable across different roles
• Maintaining a strong professional network that can support transitions

Reality checks and course corrections

“Even if you have to take a few detours along the way, you still know where you’re going and can get on track,” Brenda reminds us. What matters is maintaining forward momentum while staying true to your core goals and values.

Common Challenges, Solutions & Navigating The Roadblocks

Of course, there’s a lot that goes into this process, so there are going to be some challenges and roadblocks along the way. Dividing the process into steps, as done above, can make it more manageable, but there are some other considerations to bear in mind.

Analysis paralysis

The paradox of choice is real. With countless career options and learning paths available, many people freeze. 

This can be because you have so many possible options to choose from or hold out as you feel there may always be a better option around the corner. However, this can keep you in a perpetual state of waiting.

Coach Brenda’s approach is clear – “Divide into steps to make it more manageable.” Start with just one week of action items. Don’t try to plan your entire career at once. Remember, progress over perfection.

Maintaining motivation

“Building your confidence despite detours!!” Brenda emphasizes. This can be incredibly challenging when progress feels slow, or setbacks occur.

To solve this, create your own “motivation anchors”:

• Keep a success journal documenting small wins
• Connect with a career accountability partner
• Set smaller, more frequent milestones
• Visualize your progress with a career journey map

Research shows professionals who track their progress are more likely to maintain long-term motivation.

Handling career setbacks

“Things change and we have to adapt,” confirms Brenda, who encourages flexibility and honing in on the ability to pivot.  

Everyone faces significant career setbacks at some point or another, to some intensity or another. Those who bounce back credit their resilience and adaptability, something that only increases with experience.

Build your resilience toolkit:

• Maintain an active professional network
• Keep your skills current
• Save an emergency fund for career transitions
• View setbacks as data points, not failures

Confidence building

While others can help you, “You own your roadmap,” Brenda affirms. Imposter syndrome and self-doubt can be major obstacles, with studies showing they affect up to 70% of professionals at some point.

Practice what psychologists call “evidence-based confidence”:

• Document your achievements, no matter how small
• Gather feedback from colleagues and mentors
• Take on stretch assignments gradually
• Celebrate your progress publicly

Remember Brenda’s encouraging words: “The value of career planning is self-ownership.” You don’t have to have everything figured out to move forward.

Final thoughts

“Having a compass to navigate you allows you to reach your true north.”

By exploring these five actions and addressing common challenges, you’re beginning to see your own career compass taking shape.

Let’s recap the crucial elements of creating a career roadmap that actually works:

• Start with honest self-assessment to understand your current position
• Dream big while staying grounded in practical steps
• Analyze the gaps between where you are and where you want to be
• Create an action plan with SMART goals
• Stay flexible and adjust your course as needed

Career planning isn’t about predicting the future – it’s about preparing for it. 

“It’s important to be intentional about staying on the path or deciding to detour. Then you’re in control and driving the bus.”

Your next steps?

1. Start with a simple self-assessment this week. What energizes you? What drains you?
2. Schedule a “career visioning” session with yourself – just 30 minutes to dream without limitations
3. Begin your skills inventory using the 1-5 rating system we discussed
4. Reach out to one person in your desired field for an informational interview

And finally, “Get in touch with your career coach!” Coach Brenda emphasizes.

• Professional associations in your target field
• LinkedIn Learning courses for skill development
• Career assessment tools like StrengthsFinder or Myers-Briggs
• Industry-specific mentorship programs

The best career plan is one you’ll actually follow. Start small, but start today. Your career awaits!

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