When I teach and present on Career Development, one of the most common questions I get is:
“How much time should I spend on career planning and development?”
Here’s how I answer: Think about your health.
- Do you go to the doctor regularly?
- Are you getting your teeth cleaned every six months?
- When was your last physical?
- How are your eating habits? Your exercise routine?
- When was the last time you saw the dermatologist? Had an eye exam?
Some of us will answer yes. Others will say, no, but I should.
The difference? Preventative care helps catch issues early—or prevent them entirely. Those who don’t prioritize it might end up in the emergency room when a major health issue arises.
The same principle applies to your career.
The Bottom Line
Your company and industry are constantly evolving.
“Some changes are so slow; you don’t notice them. Others are so fast; they don’t notice you.”
— Ashleigh Brilliant
So, what are you doing to stay ahead?
How are you ensuring that you don’t end up in a career emergency when:
- A reorganization or downsizing happens?
- A project gets cut?
- Your role, skills, or entire department become obsolete?
When major shifts occur, it’s not just you affected—your network of colleagues often faces the same challenges. Most employees build connections within their immediate team, but how many of us take the time to expand beyond that?
Are You Staying Aware?
Many professionals keep their heads down, focusing on their day-to-day work—without realizing that their skills are becoming less relevant or that new opportunities are emerging elsewhere.
Ask yourself:
✅ Are you keeping your skills current and relevant?
✅ Are you aware of changes in your industry, company, or department?
✅ Are you missing out on career opportunities because you’re too focused on the details of your current role?
✅ How can you stay connected to what’s happening outside your immediate team?
Your career needs preventative maintenance—just like your health. It requires time and effort to stay engaged, learn new skills, and build relationships that will help you navigate change, not just react to it.
How to Build Your Preventative Career Development Plan
If you’re not sure where to start, try these steps:
💡 Attend a Career Development session – Whether at your company or an industry conference, start engaging in conversations about growth.
💡 Expand your network – Set up lunches or 1:1s with people inside and outside your team. Connect with professionals on LinkedIn who inspire you.
💡 Understand your brand – Spend time thinking about how you present yourself. Create a “Get to Know Me” slide to share when networking.
💡 Meet people outside your immediate group – The broader your network, the more career options you’ll have.
Be Fearless: Move Beyond Maintenance to Growth
✅ Start small. Take one proactive step this week.
✅ Then, shift from maintenance to preemptive action. Stay ahead of change and intentionally build a career that evolves with your industry.
✅ Don’t wait until you’re forced to make a move. Be proactive, not reactive.
🚀 Need ideas and guidance? Follow me on LinkedIn for career development insights. Or contact me for 1:1 coaching, workshops, and training sessions designed to help you and your colleagues future-proof your careers.
What’s Your First Step?
Comment below—what will you do today to invest in your career?