When I type my next destination into my GPS, the navigation guidance system speaks a familiar content and tone through the car speakers:

“You will arrive at your destination in 20 minutes.”

“Prepare to turn right.”

“Turn right.”

“Warning: toll plaza ahead.”

“Proceed for 10 miles, then turn left.”

“Turn left.”

“Rerouting due to a heavy traffic ahead. Say ‘okay’ to accept rerouting.”

“You have arrived at your destination. Your destination is on the right.”

Though navigation guidance systems and apps are commonplace in our cars and smartphones, they also have many features that would be wonderful if shared in other parts of our lives.

Imagine if we had a navigation guidance system to help plot our career. We could enter our ideal position, company, and salary expectations, and then press “enter.”

Timeline

“You will arrive in five years.”

Expectations

“Prepare for long nights, hiring and firing of employees, much travel, many disappointments and some great accomplishments.”

“Proceed with trusted advisors, quality data, and never stop learning.  Proceed with caution for as your title rises so does the expectations that all you do and say will be perfect. There is no excuses for failure on the road to success.”

Instructions

“Turn and listen to your employees and customers.”

“Make sure you do not lose sight of the road and check to see if those traveling with you are buckled in for the journey.”

Warnings

“Warning: someone is getting nervous about your growing influence.”

“Warning: your family misses you and wonders when you will get home.”

“Warning: you are not getting enough exercise or eating a proper diet, and your blood pressure is rising.”

Opportunities

“Rerouting opportunity with another company. This may get you to your destination faster. Say ‘okay’ to accept the offer from the recruiter.”

Milestones

“Turn and take time to reflect on your journey. Have you made a difference in the lives of others?”  

“Have you made people you work with better because of you?”

“Have you done ‘good’ along your journey?”

“What do you still need to know to continue to move forward?”

Arrival

“You have arrived at your destination. Is it what you expected 5 years ago?

“Do you consider yourself a success?”

“Are you happy?”

“Do you love more?”

“Are you a kinder person now?”  

“Are you now a leader?”

“Is the world a better place because of you?”

“Are you a ‘good’ person?”

But no navigation app can help you arrive without your input. The career navigations system awaits answers to its questions:

“Please enter your next destination.”

Until Next Friday,

Photo by Bram Van Oost on Unsplash