5 ways to make the most of your 80,000 hours

Sometimes, the work day feels like a blur. We spend so much of our time thinking about what's next: the 2 p.m. meeting, the 3 p.m. prep session, the email you still need to respond to. It’s like driving with your eyes glued to your phone instead of the road. You arrive somewhere and wonder, “How did I even get here?”

The same thing can happen in your career. Maybe you thought you’d stay in a role for a year or two… and it’s been twenty. Perhaps you now you find yourself unexpectedly in transition. You’re not alone. Too many people coast through their careers without stopping to ask: Am I driving this thing, or am I just along for the ride?

The truth is that no one is going to care about your career more than you will (except maybe your parents). If you want to move your career forward, you’re going to have to look beyond the day-to-day and take long-term action. That’s what career productivity is all about: making the most of your professional journey. It’s about meaningful progress, strategic choices, and the pride that comes from owning your path—not just reacting to what comes your way. We spend 80,000 hours (or more) at work over our lifetime, why not make the most of it?

Ready to take the wheel? Here are five steps to help you do just that.

If you want to go deeper, click here to download my free Career Productivity Toolkit!

1) Create your vision

The first—and arguably most important—step to career productivity is defining your professional vision. Think of it as your North Star. Without a vision, you’re just drifting from one task to the next.

You don’t need to get caught up in the pressure of crafting a perfect 10-year plan. In fact, trying to predict every twist and turn can leave you feeling more stuck than strategic. What really moves you forward is clarity about your next right step. Your career vision, like your relationships or interests, isn’t static—it’s meant to evolve. Think of it this way - you’re likely not looking for the same thing in a relationship now as you were when you were 18, right? It works the same for your career. The key is giving yourself permission to adapt, shift, and grow as you go.

As you navigate your path with purpose, keep this in mind:

• Focus on short-term clarity over long-term pressure: You don’t need to have it all figured out. Knowing what matters right now—and acting on that—is often the most powerful thing you can do.

• Let your vision evolve as you do: What you wanted five years ago may not be what fuels you today, and that’s okay! That’s not failure—it’s growth. Stay curious about how your goals change as you learn more about yourself.

• Give yourself permission to change direction: Just because you’ve invested time or energy in one path doesn’t mean you can’t choose another. Courageous pivots often lead to the most fulfilling outcomes.

• Build meaning through layered experiences: Every role, project, or challenge adds something to your story—even the detours. Don’t discount the value of what you’ve already done.

• Prioritize progress over perfection: There’s no perfect plan, only intentional movement. One thoughtful step forward is far more powerful than standing still, waiting for all the answers.

Your path is yours to shape. The most important thing is to keep walking it—one clear, intentional step at a time.

Ask yourself: What do I envision for the next 12–18 months? And what would it mean to actually get there?

2) Minimize non-promotable work

Every workplace has tasks that matter—but don’t get rewarded. These include things like taking notes, planning team celebrations, or organizing supplies. They’re important, but they won’t get you promoted.

Women, especially, feel social pressure to take on more of this work. It’s estimated that women take on an extra 200 hours of work each year—that’s 5 additional weeks of work! If you're always the one doing unpromotable tasks, you won’t have time for the things that will help you move forward.

Career productivity means being strategic with your time. We all have to do unpromotable work sometimes, and I’m not telling you not to—especially if it fills your cup—but be mindful about which tasks you decide to take on.

And leaders—pay attention to who’s always assigned donut duty.

Ask yourself: What task do I regularly take on that might not be serving my growth?

3) Plan to pivot

Just because you started on one path doesn’t mean you have to stay on it forever. The average person will hold over 17 jobs in their lifetime, and research shows that career changes are now the norm, not an exception to the rule. I’m not saying you should switch companies 17 times, but odds are that you’ll probably have to pivot at some point—whether through a lateral move, a new department, or a totally different industry—and that can be a good thing. Career pivots can feel risky—but they’re often the most powerful decisions you’ll ever make. They force you to reconnect with what truly matters, stretch your skills in new ways, and open doors you didn’t even know existed.

I’ll use Indra Nooyi, a rockstar leader that I admire, as an example. Her career didn’t follow a straight line—she made strategic shifts that aligned with her evolving values and strengths. A pivot isn’t a detour; it’s a conscious choice to realign your path with your purpose. Sometimes, the best version of your career is waiting just on the other side of that bold step.

Being flexible doesn’t mean being lost—it means being ready.

Ask yourself: What skill or strength do I want to develop now to prepare for the next pivot?

4) Invest in your growth

Investing in your growth is one of the most important—and empowering—things you can do for your career. And here’s the truth: ultimately, it’s your job, not your leader’s.

That means:

Saying yes to stretch opportunities, even the ones that make your stomach flip a little—because that’s often where your next level of leadership lives.

Upskilling continuously, expanding your toolkit instead of just chasing titles. This could look like taking a course, attending a conference, or engaging in peer-to-peer learning.

Building relationships before you need them—checking in, sharing insights, and staying visible so that when opportunities arise, you’re the person someone thinks of first.

Engaging in mentorship—both giving and receiving—accelerates growth in both directions and opens new perspectives. True mentorship is built on mutual benefit and a foundation of relationship, not just a formal request. In fact, people are less likely to respond positively if you simply ask them to be your mentor without first establishing a connection or offering value in return. Even if you consider yourself more junior, you can contribute meaningfully by sharing relevant articles, podcasts, or insights from customers if you're on the front lines. Effective mentorship is never one-sided; it's a dynamic exchange that benefits both people involved.

If you're telling yourself you “don’t have time” for all this, that calls for a reframe. You don’t need hours—just 15 minutes while you’re on a walk, riding the train, or waiting in line. Growth isn’t about having time. It’s about making it. If you can’t find 15 minutes, that’s not a time issue—it’s a motivation problem.

Ask yourself: What’s one small way you’ll invest in your growth this week?

5) Don’t wait

Your career isn’t just a series of job titles—it’s a journey, and you have more control than you might think. Too often, we find ourselves waiting. Waiting for clarity. Waiting for confidence. Waiting for someone to notice our potential or hand us the perfect opportunity. But the truth is, real growth rarely comes from waiting. It comes from action—from choosing to move forward even when the path isn’t crystal clear. It means having the courage to take one step, however small, toward the future you envision.

Your career doesn’t have to be reactive. You can be intentional. You can design your path, even as it evolves. You can own your story, even if it includes twists and turns. And you can absolutely maximize your potential—on your terms, in your time, with purpose. So don’t wait for your career to happen to you. Start shaping it today.

Ask yourself: What’s one opportunity I’ve been hesitating on—and what’s stopping me from saying yes?

Your career isn’t a destination—it’s a direction. Whether you're recalibrating your vision, saying no to what doesn’t serve you, or taking a leap into something new, every choice counts. To quote Abraham Lincoln, “The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

Now’s the time. You’re not just along for the ride—you’re in the driver’s seat. Where will you go next?