Why Mapping Your Career From Start to End May be Counterproductive: Insights from a Psychologist

onventional wisdom often promotes the idea of mapping out a career path and sticking to it, but this approach may not be the best fit for today’s professionals. The rapidly changing job market, driven by advances in technology, has made it possible to work with anyone from anywhere and in fields outside of one’s academic background. To thrive in this fluid environment, it’s important to keep an open mind and break out of traditional career paths.

Here are two reasons why rigid career planning can be detrimental:

#1: It can lead to unnecessary stress. Perfectionism may seem like a positive trait for career success, but not all perfectionism is created equal. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that there are two types of perfectionism: striving perfectionism, which is characterized by an inner desire to do well, and evaluative perfectionism, which involves setting unrealistic goals and harshly judging oneself when they are not met. Evaluative perfectionism is linked to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. To avoid this negative form of perfectionism, it’s important to consider one’s strengths and abilities in career planning, but to also avoid setting overly rigid goals.

#2: It can close off new opportunities and sources of inspiration. A strict career plan can be limiting, as it may cause an individual to focus solely on their own goals rather than considering how they can contribute to the success of their organization. Research has shown that employee performance improves when goals are aligned with those of the organization, and this alignment also increases an employee’s commitment to the organization’s success. By being open to new goals and opportunities, individuals can better align with their organization and potentially fast-track their own success.

In conclusion, career planning is an ongoing journey with ups and downs. Instead of trying to predict the future, it’s important to focus on where you are now and embrace new opportunities with an open mind. Over-planning a career path can limit growth and cause unnecessary stress, so it’s better to set realistic goals while remaining open to other possibilities that may present themselves.