Career paths less traveled do not come with manuals, and are not linear. In fact, if you are on a less traditional path, bumps and forks in the road should be expected. But expecting them doesn’t make it easier to navigate. 

If you’re feeling lost in your career, or if you’re not sure how one job leads to the next, or if you’re moving forward, backward, upward or sideways, that’s okay! Every job change, promotion and career move comes with growing pains and moments of extreme confusion. Should I go for this? What if I said no? Will I ever get offered something better? 

For me, those moments of confusion are always exacerbated when I meet a successful person whose career story sounds so logical and straightforward. “How do I be like her?” I wonder. This is a normal thought but I try not to get caught up in it for too long because it doesn’t take me to useful places. Instead, I try to remember that one day—a day closer than I think—I’ll be talking to someone and all the career steps I’ve taken thus far will come out of my mouth in a really logical and interesting way that’ll make the other person think, “Wow, this is an intentional and capable person. I want to be like her.” I know this because it has happened to me. Every time I get over a career hurdle, my story becomes more dynamic and its evolution more compelling. It’s those very rocky pivots of my career that make me proud when I look back. 

Remember, you’re on your path, and no one else’s. This moment of confusion will pass, but it will also probably be one of the best parts of your big picture career story.