Have you ever come across colleagues who took a new job not because they wanted that particular job, but because of the job they hoped it would lead to afterward? I’ve seen it countless times, and most of these people ended up being miserable. Many are often so consumed by their career plans, thinking about where they want to be in five, ten, or twenty years, that they forget to live in the present.
Society and career experts constantly whisper in our ears to have that infamous career plan, indirectly making us feel bad if we don’t. Partially, of course, because this is how they make their money. I never had a career plan, and I never asked about one in any job interview. Firstly, it’s really hard to plan for more than a year in an ever-changing world. Secondly, and more gravely, spending too much time and energy trying to figure out how your life should look like in the distant future diverts attention away from the only thing you really have: the now – your current job, your current life.
If you approached each job as if it was your last, you would give it your all, wouldn’t you? You would pour your entire passion, dedication, and energy into every task, knowing that this is your only opportunity to make a difference. This mindset not only enhances your performance but also brings greater satisfaction and fulfillment in your current role. And when you focus on excelling in the present, future opportunities will naturally arise: your dedication and excellence will pave the way for your career progression, often in ways you could never have planned.
Consider the case of Anthony Bourdain: long before becoming a world-renowned chef and storyteller, Anthony Bourdain worked some of the lowest kitchen jobs imaginable. But even then, he showed up early, took pride in the prep work, and treated each shift like it mattered. That relentless work ethic, grounded in the present moment, shaped his future – long before fame found him. He never acted like any job was beneath him, and that authenticity is what made people follow him around the world.
And don’t forget that the “job after” might never come: strategies change, people move on, and what seemed like the logical next step suddenly disappears. You will be left feeling miserable and stuck in a role you never truly wanted, having wasted time and energy on a future that never materialized.
