We all want to determine our own career path, do meaningful work & enjoy what we do. Here are five tips to help you evaluate jobs & opportunities, with the ultimate goal of carving your own way.

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5 Tips for a Self-Directed Career
Objective: To determine your path, do meaningful work & enjoy what you do.
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1​ Figure Out What You Want
● Plan.​ Get in the habit of writing down your objectives in a journal . 1
● Get Real.​ ​Consider present & future work-life balance issues based on realistic info.
● Reverse Engineer.​ ​Work backward from your goals & take action today.
2​ Learn How to Identify High-Potential Projects & Jobs
● Evaluate the Business.​ Look at the overall trajectory, realism of plan, & capital requirements.
● Position Yourself.​ Figure your place in the business model. Do you help make money?
● Make a Difference.​ Do you believe in the vision enough to work very hard over time?
3​ Head Down the Right Path
● Teams Matter.​ Watch out for career ladders that only allow for vertical growth. 2
● Ensure Impact.​ Look for projects where your role will be valued & mission-critical.
● Stretch.​ It’s essential that a new position allows you to learn, grow, & develop skills.
4​ Pounce Quickly on Opportunities
● Love Risk.​ Tolerance for risk decreases over time - now is always the best time.
● Think of the Future.​ ​Don’t follow current trends. Work on what you think will be new trends.
● Invest in Yourself.​ Put effort, time, & money into ideas & projects that you own.
5​ Never Stop Learning & Growing
● Read, Read, Read.​ Go deep & offline in your field. Use apps for real-time industry updates . 3
● Surpass Mentors.​ Copy the activities of successful people in your field; then, do more.
● Track Success.​ Write down your achievements & keep a careful history of your projects.
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Paper journals like “Best Self Journal” or “The Phoenix Journal”
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Check out https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-career-ladder-for-software-engineers
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Apps like Flipboard, Nuzzel, & Accompany
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