No, this isn’t some hype about how, if you follow your dreams, you’ll end up wildly rich and touring the country to promote your latest book. However, you will likely find more success in your career, and thereby increase your value as an employee and leader, if you choose a career path that follows your interests, skills, abilities, and personal values.

Too many people are unhappy at work, and researchers know that this leads to a host of other problems, such as more missed work days, decreased productivity, and physical and mental health problems, just to name a few. If you find that you’re one of these people, consider taking a good look at your career path. Will the one you’re on lead you to the place you want to be in the next five years? Ten? Twenty? Yes, many people change careers these days–the average is about eight times. However, change can be difficult. The earlier you determine an appropriate career path, the easier it will be for you to reach and maintain an executive-level career. At the same time, however, it’s never too late to change. Life would be boring without change, and even seasoned employees can make successful career changes. It may be more difficult at a later age or when fully entrenched on a particular route, but it’s not impossible.

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Did it occur to you one day that you are pursuing the wrong career? The pay you earn, perks you enjoy, and the people you work with are great, but somehow you feel that you are not moving on with a career purpose.

Fulfillment and joy of working is lost or has waned considerably to the point of losing your effectiveness on the job and marring your credibility at work. The result: you perpetuate you existence in your organization. Have you considered a career change?

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The most common problem with most young professionals or yuppies I know, and those that I counseled, is the lack of career goals and objectives. The result, they jump on the first job offer that comes their way.

While it is true that we work for money as our primary objective, but this should not be the end. Career counselors and Industrial psychologists agree that money is not an excellent career motivator. You should be able to wade through this stage as early as possible. Planning your career path is imperative if you want to succeed in the long haul and earn your mark on top of the corporate ladder.

So, how do you plan your career? How do you proceed?

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