The start of a new year has a certain pull to it. Clean calendars. Fresh notebooks. Renewed energy. We tell ourselves, This is the year I’ll be more intentional. And that’s a good thing. But if there’s one thing a long career teaches you, it’s this: intention without adaptability can become rigidity—and adaptability without intention can turn into drifting.

The real art is holding both at the same time.

Over the course of my career, I’ve learned that the most fulfilling paths aren’t perfectly mapped out in advance. They are shaped by thoughtful planning, honest conversations, strong performance, and a willingness to pivot when the world inevitably changes. Here are a few lessons that helped me navigate that balance.

Always have a few ideas about your future.
I never had a single, fixed destination in mind. Instead, I carried a few possibilities: roles, functions, or experiences that intrigued me. During annual performance reviews, I’d talk openly with my manager about these interests. My mindset was simple: perform at a high level where you are, and be ready if someone asks, “What do you want to do next?” Having a few answers beats having none.

If you know exactly where you want to go, say it out loud.
Some people do have a clear dream. If that’s you, don’t keep it a secret. Share it with your boss, mentors, and trusted advisors, even if it’s a 10- or 20-year aspiration. Those conversations plant seeds. Careers don’t move in straight lines, but clarity gives others a chance to help you when the time is right. One caveat – don’t overdo it.  A great way to end your career is to only talk about your next job and ignore the current job you have. 

Remain flexible in the face of the unknown.
Organizations evolve. Markets shift. Entire roles can appear out of nowhere….and disappear just as quickly. A few of my career moves didn’t even exist as jobs before I stepped into them. Others vanished over time. That’s why it’s far more useful to think in terms of skills and experiences than titles. Titles expire. Capabilities and experiences compound over time.

The best job you have is the one you’re in today.
This one can’t be overstated. I’ve watched people miss opportunities because they were so focused on the next role that they neglected the one they had. The single best way to earn trust, credibility, and future opportunity is to deliver results right where you are. Excellence travels faster than ambition alone.

Be ready when opportunity knocks.
Opportunity rarely arrives with much warning. When a call came one Friday afternoon that could change my trajectory, I was able to say yes immediately. I told them I had lots of questions about the new role, but they weren’t the “yes or no” kind of questions – I wanted that job!  My wife and I had already talked through what we would do if that moment came. Clarity breeds confidence. Not just for you, but for everyone involved.  Think about it – if you were a hiring manager and you offered someone a job, would you rather hear “heck yes!” or “thank you, I’ll take a week to hem and haw about it and get back to you”.

You will learn in both intentional and adaptive moves.
Careers aren’t static, and neither are you. Just as no one steps into the same river twice, every role brings new people, challenges, and leadership lessons. Growth doesn’t only come from planned moves; it often comes from unexpected ones. Stay curious. Learn the systems around you. Improve what you can.

Commit to your customers and to your company.
For me, long-term commitment paid dividends. Over 35 years, I experienced promotions, lateral moves, and even steps backward. But I stayed committed to the organization, our customers, and the people I worked with. That consistency built trust and opened doors that short-term thinking rarely does.

Always invest in yourself.
No one will ever care more about your future than you do. Continuous learning through courses, reading, podcasts, degrees, or daily conversations keeps you relevant and energized. One pro tip: invest in others, too. Teaching and mentoring accelerate learning and make the journey far more rewarding.

Careers are like fingerprints. Your path will be different from others, shaped by timing, choices, and circumstances unique to you. Still, I hope these lessons help you approach the year ahead with both intention and adaptability. Be clear about where you’d like to go, and confident enough to adjust when the current shifts.

That balance is where meaningful, fulfilling careers are built.

Tony Thelen is an executive coach and founder of The River Coaching & Consulting, based in West Okoboji, Iowa. With more than 35 years of leadership experience, he works with executives, founders, and leadership teams to help them navigate careers, organizations, and life with greater clarity and purpose. Tony is the author of Things We Desire, a forthcoming book inspired by the timeless wisdom of the Desiderata. Learn more at www.rivercoach.org or contact him at [email protected].