How to make a plan when you don’t know what’s next in your career
Feeling stuck in your career but not sure what you want to do next? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You know you want something different, something better… but without a clear idea of what that looks like, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stuck.
You might even be wondering: What’s the point of thinking about all this if I don’t know what I want yet?
Here’s the thing: figuring out what’s next isn’t about waking up one day with a perfect plan—it’s about taking small, intentional steps that help you move forward.
So, if you’re struggling to stay motivated while figuring out your next career move, here’s how to keep going, even when the destination isn’t clear yet.
1. Ask the right questions
The first step in any career change isn’t jumping straight to job titles or industries, it’s about understanding yourself.
What energises you at work?
What feels meaningful to you?
What kind of environment do you thrive in?
Instead of focusing on finding the right job, shift your focus to exploring what matters most to you. Your next move should align with your values, passions, and motivations, otherwise, you risk jumping from one unfulfilling job to another.
Try this: If you were to rate your current role on a scale of 1-10 in terms of the things that matter most to you, what would it score? If it’s below a 7, you’re probably right to be considering a change.
2. Break it down into small, actionable steps
A big reason people stay stuck? The process feels too overwhelming.
Instead of waiting for the perfect career idea to magically appear, break the process down into tiny, manageable steps.
Ask yourself:
✔ What’s one thing I can do this week to learn more about what I want?
✔ Who could I talk to that might give me a fresh perspective?
✔ What small experiment could I try to test out a new direction?
Rather than thinking, I need to figure out my whole career ASAP, shift to:
💡 This week, I’ll explore what energises me at work
💡 This month, I’ll research industries that align with my values
The more you break things down, the less overwhelming it becomes, and the more likely you are to actually take action.
Want a ready-made roadmap with action steps (and links to resources) to help you plan your career change. Grab a free copy here.
3. Focus on progress, not perfection
It’s easy to get caught in analysis paralysis, endlessly researching options but never making a move because you’re afraid of making the wrong choice.
But the truth is, there’s no ‘perfect’ career move, just the best next step for you right now.
Instead of waiting until you’re 100% sure, give yourself permission to explore, test, and adjust as you go. A career pivot isn’t about making one giant leap, it’s about experimenting, learning, and refining along the way.
Ask yourself:
🔹 What’s one step forward I can take today, even if I don’t have all the answers?
You don’t need total clarity to take action. Clarity comes from action.
Stay accountable, and keep the momentum going
When you’re working things out on your own, it’s easy to let weeks (or months) go by without making real progress. Life gets busy, self-doubt creeps in, and suddenly, you’re still stuck in the same place a year later.
That’s why accountability is key. When you have a structure to keep you moving forward, you’re far more likely to stick with it.
Some ways to stay on track:
📅 Schedule regular time to work on your career exploration, treat it like an appointment that you wouldn’t think to cancel
👥 Find an accountability buddy or coach to check in with
✏ Keep a journal of insights and next steps so you can see your progress over time - and take time to celebrate!
Having support makes all the difference. It’s not just about having a plan, it’s about making sure you actually follow through.
How committed are you?
Now, let’s check in.
On a scale of 1-10, how committed are you to making this career change happen?
10 = Nothing can stop me
1 = Meh, I’d be fine in the same job next year
And ask yourself:
How important is this change to me?
What’s it costing me to stay stuck? (Emotionally, financially, in my relationships, etc.)
If I don’t make a change, what will my life look like in 6 months? A year?
If this is a high priority for you, what would it be worth to speed up your journey?
Need help staying on track?
If you’re serious about figuring out your next career move but struggling to stay motivated on your own, you don’t have to figure it all out yourself
Inside my 90-day career change programme, I’ll help you:
✅ Get clear on what you actually want from your career (beyond just picking a new job title)
✅ Build a structured action plan, so you stop overthinking and start moving forward
✅ Stay accountable with ongoing support, so you don’t lose momentum
You’ll get 1:1 coaching, workbooks, accountability check-ins, and community support… everything you need to stay on track and confidently decide what’s next.
If that sounds like exactly what you need right now, let’s chat. Book a free consultation call, and let’s see if it’s the right fit for you.
