What Do You Really Want From Your Career in 2025?

Welcome to the first edition of No Nonsense Career Hacks for 2025! Whether you're returning after following along in 2024 or discovering this newsletter for the first time, I’m so glad you’re here.

As we dive into this year, I want to kick things off with a question that’s simple on the surface but often hard to answer:

What do you really want from your career this year?

Not what your industry expects, not what your manager might want, and definitely not what the latest LinkedIn trend tells you to aspire to. This is about you.

To help you reflect and gain clarity, I’ve crafted a practical, no-nonsense exercise to guide you through identifying your goals, aspirations, and potential roadblocks for 2025.

Why Start With Reflection?

January often brings an avalanche of goal-setting advice: promotions, certifications, new roles, side hustles—the list is endless. But too many people dive straight into resolutions without understanding what they genuinely want.

Reflecting on your career isn’t just about figuring out the next big move—it’s about understanding what excites you, what drains you, and what will make your work more meaningful.

The Guided Career Reflection Exercise

Set aside 30 minutes for this. Grab your favourite drink (mine’s a strong coffee), a notebook, and a distraction-free spot. Use the following prompts to focus on you:

1?? What excites you most about your work?

Think back to the times when you’ve felt truly energised and fulfilled.

• Was it solving a complex problem?
• Leading a team?
• Designing an innovative solution? The tasks that excite you are often tied to your strengths.

?? Write down three specific moments from the past year when you felt this excitement. What do they have in common?

2?? What do you want to do more of?

Now that you’ve identified what excites you, how can you bring more of it into your daily work?

• Do you want more autonomy in decision-making?
• Opportunities to collaborate with other teams?
• Time to work on projects that stretch your skills?

?? List three things you want to prioritise this year. Be specific.

3?? What do you want to do less of?

Let’s face it: not every part of our job sparks joy. Some tasks drain our energy or feel like time-wasters.

• Are you sitting in too many meetings that don’t add value?
• Spending hours on admin work that could be automated?

?? Identify three things you’d like to reduce or delegate. What steps can you take to make this happen?

4?? What’s one skill or experience you want to gain?

Growth keeps us engaged. Is there something you’ve been meaning to learn or try?

• A technical skill to boost your expertise?
• Leadership experience to prepare for your next role?
• A cross-departmental project to expand your network?

?? Write down one skill or experience to focus on in 2025 and why it matters to you.

Turning Reflection Into Action

Once you’ve answered these questions, take your notes and turn them into actionable steps. For example:

• If you want more leadership experience, volunteer to lead a team project.
• If you want fewer meetings, suggest alternative communication methods to your team.
• If you want to learn a new skill, find a course, mentor, or project that aligns with it.

The key is to make your aspirations tangible and achievable.

Avoiding Common Career Traps

As you plan for 2025, watch out for these pitfalls:

1?? Chasing someone else’s goals. It’s easy to be influenced by what colleagues, friends, or LinkedIn connections are doing. Stay focused on what matters to you.

2?? Overloading yourself. Ambition is great but be realistic. It’s better to focus on a few meaningful goals than to stretch yourself too thin.

3?? Waiting for permission. Don’t wait for your manager or company to hand you opportunities. Take the initiative to create them.

My 2025 Career Commitment

To lead by example, here’s what I’m focusing on this year:

• Helping more technical professionals navigate career transitions with clarity and confidence.
• Expanding the reach of No Nonsense Career Hacks to provide even more practical insights.
• Continuing to challenge the status quo in career coaching because playing by the rules isn’t always the best way to grow.

What’s Your Career Vision for 2025?

I’d love to hear what you’re working toward this year. Drop a comment or send me a message to share what you’re focusing on. If you’re feeling stuck, I’m here to help you figure out your next step.

Remember, 2025 is your year to define success on your terms.

Until next time,

Lisa Staker

Helping technical professionals take the next step in their careers—no fluff, no nonsense.

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