When I started work, the accepted wisdom was clear: work hard, climb the ladder, and you’d eventually reach the corner office. Careers were meant to follow neat ten-year plans.
But here’s the truth: even back then, straight-line careers were rare. Redundancies happened, family responsibilities reshaped priorities, and whole industries shifted. My own career, like many of my peers, zigzagged in ways no plan could have predicted.
Now, in 2025, disruption is the norm. Technology advances, companies restructure, and expectations about work keep changing. Whether you’re in your 20s starting out or in your 50s and 60s wanting to continue, the rules of career planning are different.
So, how do you thrive when the path isn’t straight?
- Detours Can Be Valuable
If your career hasn’t gone as planned, don’t see that as failure. Some of the most rewarding stages in my working life came after detours — a sideways move, a redundancy that forced a rethink, or an unexpected opportunity. Those moments built resilience and often led to richer work.
- Focus on Habits, Not Titles
Job titles change, but habits endure. Staying curious, continuing to learn, and investing in relationships are what sustain a career over decades. A strong network or willingness to reskill can make all the difference when circumstances shift.
- Don’t Wait Until You’re “Ready”
I can think of several times I stepped into roles before I felt prepared. Growth often comes after we’ve said yes, not before. Waiting for perfect readiness is usually a way of holding yourself back.
- Keep Options Open
For younger professionals, that might mean building side projects or learning skills outside your current job. For older workers, it could be consulting, mentoring, or portfolio work. Having multiple routes forward gives you flexibility when change arrives.
- Make Space for Regular Check-Ins
Instead of rigid long-term plans, set aside time every few months to reflect:
- What skills am I building?
- What energises me?
- What new opportunities or risks are emerging?
This practice helps you adjust before you’re forced to.
The Constant Is Change
After nearly five decades of working life, I know stability is often an illusion. Thriving isn’t about predicting the future — it’s about adapting as it unfolds.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to stay active in your 60s, the principle is the same: build resilience, stay curious, and keep your options open. Straight lines are rare, but meaningful careers can be found in every twist and turn.
