“If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable.” – Seneca
This ancient Stoic quote is more relevant than ever for anyone feeling stuck in their career. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me, “I’ll just know it when I see it” when I asked what they wanted in their next job, I could fund a week-long vacation.
Here is the truth: if you do not know what you actually want, every option will feel off. You will apply to jobs that do not excite you, work for managers who drain your energy, and keep wondering why your career feels like a loop you cannot escape.
I have been there. I still end up there sometimes.
The hard truth is that the job itself is not always the problem. Often, the real issue is that we have no clear idea of where we are headed. Are we climbing a meaningful ladder, or just wandering from one role to another in a pair of uninspiring work pants?
If you want to make a move that actually changes your life, spend five minutes today defining your “port.” Ask yourself:
What kind of life do I want this job to support?
What kind of leader would I happily answer a late-night message from?
Which responsibilities make me feel like I am using my skills to their fullest?
What kind of problems do I love solving, even when they are hard?
When in my career have I felt the most proud of my work, and why?
What trade-offs am I willing to make, and which ones are non-negotiable?
Without knowing your destination, all the movement in the world is just flailing. Clarity is not a luxury in a job search. It is the foundation that allows you to choose roles, companies, and teams that will help you thrive.