“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” — Lewis Carroll
This whimsical line from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland might seem like a throwaway from a children’s tale, but it holds profound truth—especially when it comes to your professional life.
When you do not have a destination in mind, the choices you make day to day—what job to take, what skill to learn, what connection to pursue—feel aimless. You drift. You react. You move, yes, but not necessarily forward. And years can go by in this fog.
Let us talk about why this happens, what it costs you, and how to get clear on where you are going—so you can actually get there.
The Problem with Not Knowing Where You are Going
In a professional context, not knowing where you are going looks like:
- Taking jobs because they are offered, not because they align with your goals.
- Focusing on what is urgent, not what is important.
- Feeling like you are working hard but not getting anywhere meaningful.
- Comparing yourself constantly to others because you have no internal compass.
- Saying “yes” too much and burning out because there’s no bigger “why” guiding you.
Without direction, every opportunity looks the same. Every rejection feels the same. Every year blends into the next.
It is like trying to build a house without a blueprint. Sure, you might hammer some nails and paint some walls. But will it hold up? Will it be what you wanted?
The truth is, nobody else can figure this out for you. Your manager, mentor, or coach might help you explore your path—but they can’t choose it. Only you can define where you are headed.
Why It’s So Easy to Lose Direction
Most people don’t start their careers thinking, “I’m going to drift for the next 10 years.” So, what happens?
- We get busy. After school or training, we are eager to work. So, we take jobs. Then we take promotions. Then we take on more responsibility. Before we know it, we are deep into a career—but unclear how we got here or if we even want to be here.
- We respond to others’ expectations. Parents, professors, friends, spouses, partners—they all have ideas about what success should look like. It is easy to mistake someone else’s vision for your own.
- We avoid discomfort. Asking “What do I really want?” is hard. It takes honesty, vulnerability, and sometimes risk. So, we don’t ask.
- We underestimate time. We think we will figure it out “eventually.” But years pass quickly. Without clear intentions, we default to the path of least resistance.
The Cost of Professional Aimlessness
A lack of direction doesn’t just make you feel lost. It has real consequences:
- Burnout. Without a guiding purpose, work becomes draining. You might work harder and harder, but never feel satisfied.
- Stagnation. Promotions, raises, and growth opportunities often go to those with clarity and ambition. Without a goal, it is easy to get passed over.
- Regret. Years later, you may look back and wonder why you didn’t go for what you really wanted.
- Imposter syndrome. When you don’t feel anchored in your own path, it’s easy to doubt you belong anywhere.
Clarity isn’t just motivational—it’s strategic. It helps you make decisions faster. Say no more confidently. Ask for what you want. Seek out the right mentors. Spot the right opportunities. And let go of what doesn’t align.
What Does It Mean to “Know Where You’re Going”?
This doesn’t mean having a rigid 10-year plan. Life is unpredictable, and too much attachment to one path can actually hold you back.
But it does mean having a vision—a North Star—that guides your choices.
Ask yourself:
- What kind of work energizes me?
- What kind of problems do I want to solve?
- What kind of impact do I want to have?
- What does success look like to me—not to anyone else?
You might not have all the answers now. But even a rough sketch of where you want to go is better than no map at all.
Creating Your Professional Compass
Here’s a practical framework to help you clarify where you’re going:
1. Zoom Out
Before diving into job titles or industries, think big picture. What do you want your professional life to feel like?
- Do you want to lead or support?
- Create or optimize?
- Work solo or with teams?
- Travel or stay rooted?
- Solve technical problems or human ones?
Don’t focus on what’s “realistic” just yet. Let yourself explore.
2. Audit Your Past
Look at your past roles, projects, or experiences. Ask:
- What did I love doing—and why?
- What drained me—and why?
- When did I feel most proud of my work?
- What feedback have I consistently received?
Patterns will emerge. Those are clues.
3. Define Your Values
Values are your non-negotiables. They help you evaluate opportunities and stay true to yourself. Some examples:
- Autonomy
- Creativity
- Growth
- Stability
- Service
- Recognition
- Learning
- Collaboration
Pick your top 3–5. When your work aligns with your values, it feels meaningful—even when it’s hard.
4. Set a Destination
Now, craft a vision. For example:
“In five years, I want to be leading a product team at a mission-driven tech company, mentoring junior teammates, and feeling proud of the impact we’re making.”
Or:
“I want to build a consulting business that helps small nonprofits grow their fundraising. I want the freedom to work remotely and take 3 months off each year.”
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just specific enough to steer you.
5. Chart a Course
Once you know the general direction, ask:
- What skills do I need to develop?
- What roles or projects will help me grow?
- Who can I learn from or connect with?
- What should I stop doing that’s taking me off-course?
Even small steps matter. The point is to be intentional.
Course-Correcting When You’re Off Track
Maybe you’re reading this and realizing: “I’ve just been winging it.” That is okay. Many people do. But the best time to reorient is always now.
Here is how to start:
- Pause. Take time to reflect—not just rush into the next thing.
- Get support. A mentor, coach, or even a good friend can help you process and plan.
- Experiment. You do not need to quit your job tomorrow. Try small changes. A side project. A class. A new type of client. See what resonates.
- Be kind to yourself. You are not behind. You are learning. That is the point.
As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says: “Every action you take is a vote for the kind of person you want to become.”
Start casting votes for your future self.
A Word on Uncertainty
Even with a clear direction, there will be fog. You will second-guess. You will hit roadblocks. Life will surprise you.
But that is okay. Having a destination does not mean you need a straight line to get there. It just means you are moving on purpose.
You will still explore. Pivot. Discover new things. But you will do it from a place of agency, not avoidance.
Think of it like sailing. You cannot control the wind, but with a compass and a destination, you can adjust your sails.
Choose Your Road
Lewis Carroll’s quote reminds us that movement without intention is just motion. It is not progress.
If you do not know where you are going, you might end up somewhere—but it won’t be where you want to be.
So, ask yourself:
- What am I working toward?
- What am I saying “yes” to—and why?
- Is the road I’m on leading me somewhere I chose?
You do not need all the answers. You just need to care enough to ask the questions. And then take the next right step.
Because knowing where you are going doesn’t just get you there faster.
It makes the journey more meaningful.