I was reminded recently about Alice’s conversation with the Cheshire Cat in Louis Carroll’s tail of Alice in Wonderland.  In the story Alice comes to a fork in the road, in a quandary about which direction to take she requests the help of the Cheshire Cat. In short, she was without a plan.

This conversation can be a metaphor for career management.  If you don’t have a career or life goal it doesn’t matter much what you do.  You choose a job because it pays the bills and your co-workers aren’t too distasteful.  You move through your career without a plan or direction.  This is not the best place in life.

If all you want is a job, jobs are plentiful.  However, if you want a career, one that is fulfilling and meaningful you have to decide what that looks like and pursue it relentlessly.  Make the right connections, attend the right groups, publish so you become a thought leader.  Every day do something that brings you closer to your goal.

Where are you going?  Answering this question is important.  If the answer is anywhere, you’re probably already there.