Act Deliberately
In a world that’s obsessed with overnight success and fleeting fame, managing your career with intent is the business equivalent of learning to cook instead of dining out every night. Intentional career management isn’t flashy; it doesn’t make for viral TikToks or get you instant likes. But it’s the strategy that, over time, builds something far more sustainable than the dopamine hit of short-term wins.
Here’s the deal: most people manage their careers with all the finesse of a ping-pong ball in a hurricane. They float wherever the wind — or, more accurately, the latest “hot” job market trend — takes them. Web3? Jump in. AI? Better pivot now. A hot new startup promising equity that could be worth millions? Sign up. And when they finally look up from the chaos, they’re confused as to why they feel empty, drained, or stagnant. Spoiler: it’s because they didn’t chart the course; they just went wherever the waves pushed them.
So, how do you manage a career with intent? Start with understanding that, like any high-return investment, career growth compounds over time. Every experience, skill, and relationship can add a layer to your professional foundation — if you’re deliberate about it.
1. Know What You Want (and Be Brutal About It)
First, ask yourself the tough questions: What does success actually look like for you? A corner office? Financial freedom? The ability to work from anywhere? You’d be surprised how many people go years, even decades, without defining this. They settle into someone else’s vision of success — a bigger title, a higher salary, prestige. But without clarity on what you want, you’ll always be running on someone else’s treadmill. Intent means figuring out what genuinely resonates with you and then shutting out the noise that doesn’t.
Once you know what you want, it’s time to embrace a ruthless level of focus. This isn’t a recommendation; it’s a mandate. You’re going to need to make sacrifices, say “no” more often, and turn down opportunities that don’t align with your end goal. Intentional career management requires a filter — a set of standards that determine what gets your time, energy, and attention.
2. Build Skills, Not Just Titles
Here’s a radical idea: Don’t chase promotions; chase expertise. It’s easy to confuse job titles with progress. In reality, titles are a fleeting badge; skills are the assets that pay dividends. You don’t want to be the person who’s achieved VP status without any real, marketable skills. The economy loves people who know how to do things — who can take raw ideas and create value. Managing your career with intent means investing in skills that are hard to acquire and, even better, hard to replace.
Focus on gaining the kind of expertise that makes you indispensable. When you’re an expert, people come to you. Promotions, salary hikes, new job offers — they become the byproduct, not the goal.
3. Treat Networking as a Strategy, Not a Chore
Networking isn’t about collecting LinkedIn connections or attending endless happy hours. Intentional networking is about building relationships that are mutually beneficial and actually meaningful. Find mentors who aren’t just successful but also align with the values and goals you aspire to. Seek peers who challenge you, who make you a little uncomfortable in the best way possible. And yes, help others out too — career karma is a real thing. People remember those who helped them along the way.
When you network with intent, you’re not looking for quick wins; you’re building alliances. These are the people who will advocate for you, endorse you, and recommend you when you’re not in the room. These are the relationships that, over time, create an ecosystem around you, a support network that’s more valuable than any individual skill or title.
4. Embrace the Grind — but with Boundaries
There’s no sugarcoating it: success, particularly when pursued with intent, involves hard work. But the grind only pays off if it’s sustainable. Burning out after three years of all-nighters is not an effective career strategy. Managing with intent means working hard, yes, but also knowing when to protect your time and mental health. Set boundaries that ensure you can keep pushing forward without crashing.
Treat your career like a marathon. And as any marathon runner will tell you, success isn’t about sprinting; it’s about pacing yourself. Be intentional about your rest, your downtime, and your non-work passions. A balanced approach isn’t a sign of laziness; it’s the ultimate act of self-respect in a world that demands every last drop of your attention.
5. Adapt or Become Irrelevant
A well-managed career is built on a foundation of adaptability. The job market is not static. Technologies evolve, industries transform, new skills become essential. Intentional career management means looking at the horizon, spotting trends before they become standard, and preparing yourself for them. This doesn’t mean jumping on every trend that comes along, but it does mean being aware of the skills and knowledge that will keep you competitive.
People who manage their careers with intent know when it’s time to level up and when it’s time to pivot. They understand that clinging to the status quo is the fastest way to ensure their skills will become obsolete. The antidote? Lifelong learning. Embrace the idea that your career is a journey, not a destination, and that the only constant is change.
Intent as Your Competitive Edge
The secret to a fulfilling, successful career isn’t luck. It’s not even necessarily raw talent. It’s intent — knowing where you’re going and being relentless in your pursuit of that vision. Managing your career with intent means taking ownership, making sacrifices, and focusing on what really matters. It’s not the quick path or the easy one, but over time, it’s the one that delivers the greatest rewards.
Intent separates the climbers from the drifters. So, define what you want, commit to it, and manage your career as if it’s the most important investment you’ll ever make — because it is.
Hi there, I’m Brian, and in addition to this Medium, I wrote The Main Thing is The Main Thing. As you walk this path, not only do you become a beacon of clarity in a foggy world, but you morph into a version of yourself that’s bolder, brighter, and unapologetically authentic. Make sure your main thing is the lead vocalist, and watch as the symphony around you changes its tune.
