Why You Need Intentional Career Planning

Most people think career success comes from making the perfect decision. It doesn’t. It comes from making timely, values-aligned ones. Especially when the next step feels unclear. One of my clients, a brilliant VP, spent 3 months stuck on a single choice: “Do I speak up about being overlooked, or wait for my work to speak for itself?” She called it strategic patience. But it was really fear disguised as overthinking. We ran it through this framework. She made the call. Six weeks later, her promotion was fast-tracked. She was finally seen, heard, and most importantly, included. Because here’s what I tell every high-achiever I coach: You don’t need more time to decide. You need a better way to decide. Try the 2-Minute Decision Framework™ (Career Edition): 1. QUICK DECISIONS → Handle it NOW For low-stakes tasks that clog your mental bandwidth: → Can you respond to that email in < 2 minutes? → Is the request low risk and easily reversible? → Are you spiraling on something that just needs action? ✅ Do it. Momentum builds trust and confidence. (Your career doesn’t stall in the big moves, it drips away through tiny indecisions.) 2. TEAM DECISIONS → Resolve it TODAY For collaborative work or project bottlenecks: → Who’s recommending this approach? → Who’s doing the work? → Who’s accountable for the final call? ✍️ Assign roles. Align expectations. Move forward. (Most team confusion comes from no one knowing who’s driving.) Use this anytime you’re: – Leading a cross-functional project – Navigating performance reviews – Building team trust through shared clarity 3. CAREER DECISIONS → Make it THIS WEEK For decisions that affect your growth, visibility, and voice: Use the 3–2–1 Method: → 3 options: Brainstorm career paths, scripts, or solutions → 2 perspectives: Ask two mentors, not the whole internet → 1 call: Choose the path aligned with your long game 🎯 Clarity > complexity. Every time. This works for: – Deciding whether to advocate for a raise or promotion – Considering a lateral move for growth – Navigating visibility or speaking up on tough issues The truth is: courageous careers aren’t built on perfect plans. They’re built on small, aligned decisions made with intention. That’s C.H.O.I.C.E.® in action. So here’s your coaching moment: 🔥 Pick one decision you’ve been avoiding. Run it through the framework. Make the call within the next hour. Then ask yourself: What changed when I finally decided? ❓ What’s one career decision you’ve been sitting on too long? Share it below, or DM me, and we’ll run it through together. 🔖 Save this for your next “Should I…?” moment 👥 Tag someone who needs this framework in their toolkit Because alignment isn’t found in overthinking. It’s built through C.H.O.I.C.E.®. ➕ Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for tools that actually work in real life. #CareerCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment

I stick to 1 career principle: take your growth into your own hands. (No one is going to do it for you) When I began working at Google, I realized that working non-stop wasn't the answer. All of my colleagues were impressive. They hyper-focused on being exceptional. They took advantage of a rich training culture and road it to the moon. I came from a startup environment that was focused on survival. So development was often dismissed due to the daily pressures of "busyness." - But intentional development is a must - You might work extra long hours - But set aside time to learn If you don't prioritize development, you'll plateau. I flourished once I focused on intentional growth. Here’s how it amplifies your results: 1) EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Self-development helps you handle stress better. You slow down, become less reactive, and learn to weave your way through difficult people. 2) EFFECTIVE MOTIVATION Self-development boosts your vitality, enabling you to manage extensive work demands effectively. 3) ENDURING SUCCESS Self-development never ends. It ensures your efforts are sustainable. You achieve more (and better). 4) ENHANCED FOCUS Self-development gives you clarity. When your head is clear, you progress faster. 5) ENJOYABLE LIFE Self-development increases happiness. You feel more confident and more empowered to overcome obstacles. Better you → Better biz → Better client results.

A simple, unexpected question changed the course of my career. I was years into my marketing role at Yahoo when a representative from Gallup came to lead a workshop. During the session, he displayed a simple 2x2 chart with talents on one axis and skills on the other. Then he posed a question that caught me off guard: "How many of you are in the job you've always known you wanted?" Hands shot up around me in excitement, while I sat still. My heart sank with an uncomfortable realization: I wasn't in the job I always wanted. Even worse, I was on track to inherit my boss's position—a role I knew deep down wasn't for me. It dawned on me that I had become excellent at work that didn't fulfill me. This revelation sparked a crucial career development question for me: How can I steer my career toward roles that not only utilize my skills but also align with my natural talents—those activities that invigorate and inspire me? This question led me to transition from marketing to general management, where my talent and passion for building things and running businesses could thrive. Working in harmony with our talents doesn't just improve our output; it makes us feel alive and engaged. At Rising Team, we want to help everyone feel that way. We've developed an exercise to help individuals identify and align with their natural talents. Reach out if you're interested in learning more. For anyone feeling out of sync with their current role, remember this: we are happiest and most successful when our careers resonate with both our skills and talents. The sooner we get clear on those things, the sooner we can pursue career paths that energize us. — Like this post? Follow me for more insights on leadership, team building, and the future of work. Subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletter Leadership is Everywhere: https://lnkd.in/g_VETsRY #careerdevelopment #leadership #personalgrowth

Being Intentional in Business After several decades in business, I’ve learned that if you intend to excel at anything, you have to be ‘intentional’. Just showing up to work every day and letting your calendar in Outlook determine what you work on is the opposite of intentional. Intentionality starts with 1) An assessment of what needs to be done either through market research or from an examination of client needs, 2) Development of a Plan with real milestones for deliverables against the major Goals in the plan, 3) Focused expenditures of mental and physical activity with a small team of collaborators, and 4) Execution, assessment and iteration until you get it right. (Execution eats Strategy for lunch!) So many times in my career I’ve seen talented people wander through their jobs without intentionality…and they end up failing in their mission. You have to set your mind and actions in motion to make a difference. Don’t follow others desires. Know where you’re headed and drive yourself to accomplish your Goals! It doesn’t just happen for you because you have good thoughts. You need so much more to make a difference! How are you bringing INTENTIONALITY to your work life?! #Intentionality #Worklife #Success