Do you have a foggy future?
I was envious of her.
In some ways, I still am.
I was in middle school, and a few of us in my youth group were talking about what we wanted to be when we grew up.
This particular girl was sharing her dream…she wanted to be a supreme court justice. She had the whole plan mapped out…Law school, internships, time in the district attorney’s office, a local judge and so on.
I was flabbergasted. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, much less the path to take to get there.
How could someone see their future trajectory with such clarity?
And why couldn’t I?
Have you ever felt this way?
In hindsight, I’m thankful that I didn’t set my plans in place at such a young age. I pursued things that I found interesting in academics, internships and short term jobs before landing in the professional world. Even then, I started my career with a role I found interesting at a company I admired, without a clear path for where it would take me.
For me, that kind of opportunistic journey has paid off, as I’ve had a career that didn’t exist when I was in middle school. Product management wasn’t a thing in the days before the internet, and as far as I knew back then coaches belonged on the playing field or in the locker room.
I’m grateful that I kept my mind open to the possibilities in front of me, as it’s given me a career I could never have imagined.
And while I didn’t have a clear path to follow for each step, I did craft a personal mission that has driven my decisions throughout my career… “to empower others to do what they do best even better”. This mission, coupled with an understanding of my values and my gifts, has steered the course of my career.
I’m not alone in not having created a clear path to follow.
These days, I’m talking with more and more people who are unsure about where they want to take their professional future.
Some are forced into a transition because of layoffs, reorgs, changing industries, or personal circumstances.
Others are feeling the pull for something different, but are hesitant because of a lack of clarity, uncertainty in the possibilities, or feeling a need to stay somewhere “safe” in a world full of turmoil.
They’re wondering where to go from here. They might have an idea but aren’t sure where to even start, or maybe they have too many ideas and don’t know how to prioritize. Some don’t have any ideas at all.
Does this describe you?
If so, you might find these three steps helpful. My clients do.
Craft a mission or vision statement
When you’re clear with yourself about the impact you want to make, your focus automatically narrows to what really matters to you. Not sure where to start? Consider Simon Sinek’s Find Your Why course or Debbie Millman’s process to design your life.
Get clear on your values and priorities
Having a strong foundation in your values and priorities provides a natural filter for decisions about your path. For values, start with your own brainstorming, and then review lists like Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead List of Values. When evaluating your priorities, understand these may shift based on your season of life (this is often especially true for financial and time goals).
Lean into your gifts and passions
We all have gifts (natural talents that come easier to us than to others) and passions (things that just light us up). Leaning into them often leads to a rewarding path. Not sure what yours are? Consider asking those close to you what they observe, notice what comes easily to you or lights you up, or try taking an assessment like CliftonStrengths.
Navigating your next chapter can feel daunting, whether you're facing an unexpected transition or simply craving a new direction. If the way forward feels foggy, try, focusing on your personal mission, understanding your core values, and embracing your unique gifts and passions to navigate towards your own north star.
What have you found helpful in steering the course of your career?
Will you send me a message to let me know? I’d love to hear from you.
October 16, 2025
About the author:
Christina Von Stroh is a leadership coach who helps her clients become wildly successful by applying iterative software development practices to achieve their dreams. Want to work with Christina to help you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
Book your free strategy session.
