by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy, Author at Amy | Human potential platform
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Author: by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy

What is a Career Plan and How to Create One?

Posted on by by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy

Have you ever had a goal that you were excited about but somehow never reached? We have all been there. Setting goals is the easy part. Achieving them? That is where many get stuck. The reason might not be a lack of effort but a lack of planning. Without a clear plan, goals often stay just like that: ideas in our heads. With a plan, you get structure by breaking big goals into small, actionable steps. You stay focused and resistant to distractions. You tackle challenges. 

If struggling with procrastination and missed chances seems familiar, think of a career plan. Yet another argument to create one is when you regularly underestimate what it takes to succeed. In the article, we will find out how to achieve a desired career path as an employee. As a manager, learn about your part in the article’s final section.

What is a career plan?

A career plan is a roadmap that outlines your professional goals with the steps to achieve them. To move forward with goals, you define a timeline and build up the right skills along the way. With a career plan, you know where to start, stay on track, and measure progress. 

Why a career plan is so important?

Mapped-out targets bring clarity, drive growth, and motivate by uncovering opportunities and skills needed down the line. Here, purpose and achievements are not only in mind, but they are visible.

5 steps to create a career plan

Reflections on current status and future career

1. Self-assessment

Asking yourself questions is present at every stage of creating a career plan, but the following are essential to begin with:

    • What are my life and work values, interests, and aspirations? What work format do I prefer? 
      Recommended assessment at Amy: Your Work Values and Your Life Values to go through core groups.
    • What are my strengths and weaknesses?
      Recommended assessment at Amy: Personal SWOT Analysis to clarify your talents and growth areas in addition to opportunities and threats for your role.

    2. Goals

    Set SMART career goals. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound:

      • Short-term: Learn a new tool relevant to your job in 2 months.  
      • Long-term: Transition to a managerial role within 5 years.  

      The questions for you to outline aims are:

      • Where do I see myself in half a year or 1 year for short-term goals? In 5 years for long-term goals?
        Recommended assessment at Amy: Career Pathway Reflections to define a clear picture of where you want to be in 5 or 10 years from a career perspective. 
      • What resources do I need to achieve these goals?  

      3. Research

      Take a closer look at potential roles, projects, or industries that appeal to you and fit your goals. Dive into the specifics of various fields, discover emerging trends, and consider how different roles or projects can help you grow professionally. The more you explore, the clearer your career path will become. 

        4. Skill development

        Consider your expertise and identify skill gaps. 

          • What skills do I use most of all?
          • What skills do I wish to use more? What to gain? 
          • What skills do my desired roles require?  
          • How do my current skills compare?  
            Recommended assessment at Amy: Skills Gap Analysis and Skills Development Plan to review what capabilities you already own and what you expect. 
          A picture of working on a career plan

          Action plan

          5. Mapping a career path

          Mapping a career path is the final step in crafting a career plan and means not just knowing where you want to go but also understanding how to get there. You create a framework for action and long-term growth.

          Sample of a career plan

          Let’s take Mike, a software engineer, as an example of how goals can be divided into steps that fit aspirations.

          1. Break goals into actionable steps. Instead of aiming broadly for a senior role or a management position, focus on smaller, specific tasks that will lead you there.

          Mike aims to become a senior software engineer, that’s why manageable pieces for his goal are:

          • Contribute to more complex projects within the team.
          • Mentor junior developers to build leadership capabilities.
          • Learn advanced skills like designing scalable systems.

          For these steps, Mike needs to add:

          • Resources: Access to online courses on Coursera. Websites like LeetCode and Codewars for practicing coding challenges. Development environment: PyCharm, Git, and AWS. Guidance from a career coach, senior developers, or mentors to gain insights on skills improvement and career progression. 
          • Success criteria: Completing courses. Moving into a more senior role. Receiving positive feedback from managers on improved performance and leadership.
          • Barriers (if any): Balancing work and upskilling.
          1. Incorporate strengths, skills, and opportunities. Revisit the skills and opportunities you identified earlier. This is where you connect what you have with what you need. Focusing on building your skills while actively seeking opportunities ensures you are applying your learning.
          • List the skills you already have: Mike is proficient in Python and Celery.
          • Identify gaps: His target role requires cloud computing knowledge and leadership experience, so Mike makes those areas a priority.
          • Align your learning with real-world opportunities: Mike should enroll in an AWS certification program to build cloud expertise and volunteer to lead a small project within his current team.
          1. Create a timeline for your milestones. A timeline adds structure to your plan and helps you stay on track. Start by listing your goals and assigning realistic deadlines to each milestone. Review and update your plan when you face unexpected challenges and progress.

          Mike’s timeline looks as follows:

          • Month 1–2: Learn FastAPI and build a small personal project.
          • Month 3–6: Contribute to an open-source project using FastAPI.
          • Month 7–12: Lead a small team project to showcase leadership skills.
          • Year 2: Apply for senior roles while continuing to grow in cloud computing knowledge.
          A picture of career plan drafting

          Evaluation to make your plan work for you

          • Use career mapping tools like progress charts to visualize your career path.
          • Share your plan with a manager, mentor, or a close person to hold you accountable.
          • Schedule regular check-ins to evaluate your progress.  
          • Be ready to tweak your plan as new opportunities arise.
          • Recognize your wins, big or small, to stay motivated. 

          Common challenges and how to overcome them 

          • Lack of clarity: Use self-assessment tools or career coach guidance to sharpen your direction. Career coaching empowers you to get started on the right foot and gain confidence. With a career coach, you can create a solid career roadmap and overcome obstacles when hesitant. 
          • Fear of change: Start small with manageable steps, as big ones may feel overwhelming.
          • Balancing work and goals: Use time management techniques, such as blocking dedicated time for self-development.  
          • Stagnation: Seek new challenges or roles within your organization.  

          How an HR and L&D manager can assist

          1. Use self-assessment surveys and platforms for employees, like the Amy human potential platform, to identify their career drivers.  
          2. Prepare Individual Development Plans (IDPs) that include short-term and long-term goals your employees target. Align employee’s goals with organizational objectives in the plan. 
          3. Map out career pathways and career ladders within departments based on employees’ desired roles and skills. Provide resources such as role transition guides, job shadowing, and rotational programs.
          4. Promote cross-departmental collaborations. Create mentoring programs and peer learning initiatives. Offer internal training programs and online courses. An L&D team might launch leadership training for mid-level managers aiming for executive roles.   
            Nearly 59% of employees claim they had no workplace training and that most of their skills were self-taught. 85% of employees want to choose training times that fit their schedule. That’s exactly what Amy offers—customized programs that cover microlearning for flexibility, tailored assessments for diverse needs, and on-demand support for teams.
          5. Schedule regular check-ins and annual career discussions. Use performance reviews to adjust career plans. Give constructive feedback to guide employees toward their goals. 
          A picture of managers and career planning

          If you face low employee engagement in career planning, you can introduce microlearning and career planning tools to boost participation. As an L&D manager, you might use data from learning platforms like Amy to suggest personalized learning paths for employees.

          Turn goals into reality

          Goals need structure to come to life. Otherwise, they often stay out of reach or in the ‘maybe someday’ pile. A defined, thorough career plan benefits both individuals and organizations. For employees, it provides clarity and purpose. For managers, it promotes a supportive environment where talent can thrive. While employees take ownership of their aspirations, HR and L&D managers give tools and resources to turn those aspirations into achievements.  

          Start by reflecting on where you are now and where you want to be. The first step will set you on the path to big accomplishments. And Amy, as a human potential platform, is here for you to ease this path.

          Career Change: Is it Worth Taking a Risk?

          Posted on by by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy

          Thoughts about changing careers carry weight. They might show subtle signs of professional frustration or serve an urgent warning for a shift. They might signal that it is time to reevaluate your goals or priorities. Is it worth taking a risk and changing a job if you aren’t sure? Not always. At least not without some thought or planning, unless an urgent career change. So, when should you consider transition?

          4 signs you need a career change 

          1. You wish you had more time for yourself

          Poor work-life balance and connected health issues—such as anxiety, stress, the pressure of overworking, and burnout—can shift your priorities. When these challenges arise, finding a flexible career that allows time to focus on your health, family, or hobbies becomes essential.

          2. You feel bored and frustrated

          Job dissatisfaction and lack of growth: the job no longer challenges you or doesn’t match your interests or long-term goals. You might feel stuck in repetitive tasks with no opportunities for advancement. You don’t see a future in your current position. At this point, a career change is about finding a role that brings back a sense of fulfillment and joy.

          3. You lost motivation

          Which means a lack of purpose: many career shifts are fueled by the need to push boundaries and engage in work that feels dynamic and rewarding. If your daily tasks are full of meaningless activities, it is natural to seek something more inspiring and aligned with your expertise and goals. A desire for purpose ignites professionals to do more and be more. Losing interest in a field may signal you have outgrown your current position or role. Switching them may connect your work with what truly excites you. 

          4. You want to earn more

          Financial need: the drive for better financial stability or higher income results from evolving responsibilities, such as growing family expenses or personal goals. If your current role doesn’t offer opportunities for financial growth, you look for higher-paying positions or explore industries with better-earning potential.

          There are two major points in life when we think about professional changes—in our 20s, when we are just starting out, and in our 40s, when we begin to question whether our path still fits. At this stage, the idea of change can feel daunting because of the weight of responsibilities. But it is also a chance to realign your career with what matters to you now, using all the insights gained.

          Midlife career change: why change careers at 40 and beyond?

          You have years of experience in your work but still feel unfulfilled or crave a better work-life balance? Motivations may differ from personnel cuts because of organizational restructuring to seeking a healthier work environment or a fresh start. One thing is certain—you have enough confidence, skills, and resources required to make a move.

          What can you get when changing careers in your 40s? 

          Pros

          • Increased job satisfaction and impactful work—the opportunity to do what you love and what sparks your energy, matching your personal values with professional goals
          • Learning new skills and expanding your capacities and qualifications while taking self-paced programs
          • Reduced stress levels and more time for loved ones and hobbies, improving your mental health and beating burnout

          Cons

          On the contrary, transitioning to a new role may come with challenges, such as:

          • Adapting to unfamiliar tasks
          • For beginners, a lower starting salary

          Still, the experience of switching careers often proves rewarding, leading to salary growth and enhanced job satisfaction.

          Regardless of age, career transition requires a balance of practical preparation and emotional resilience. Along the way, it is important to remember that your career doesn’t define your worth. A career is just one part of who you are.

          Think it over: reflections and preparation before diving in

          Before making the leap, take a step back and analyze your motivations and goals. Self-reflection helps to gain clarity on what you truly want from your career and make a plan for how to navigate the career change. By taking the time to prepare, you set yourself up for a strategic career transition.

          Checking current environment 

          Initially, examine what you can do with your current work environment—whether you can improve conditions and address the career challenges within your company, which usually require less effort and resources. For example, talk to your colleagues or manager about concerns and career opportunities. Prepare the materials. If no shift happens, you can be sure you tried to break the ice. 

          Assessing life circumstances

          Ask yourself these questions:

          • What are the benefits of making a career change? What are the costs?
          • Am I ready for a steep learning curve, extra effort, and probably extra hours at the beginning of a career shift? 
          • Can I afford a potential gap in employment or a period of lower income?
          • Are my long-term goals aligned with my career transition?
          • Do I have any support during my career transition? Speaking of which, professional career coaches are always ready to give you a hand. 

          Testing the waters

          To be more confident about your decision, research companies you are interested in to learn about work specifics, position requirements, and culture. A financial cushion will also take off some of the pressure, especially for long transitions.

          a picture of a man sitting at the desk and thinking

          5 steps to navigate a career change

          By following the steps, you can thoughtfully address a career change:

          1. Reflect on your strengths, interests, values, and goals
            Start by identifying the areas where you have excelled in your career. Think about what truly interests you and aligns with your core values and goals. Free tools like career coaching exercises can make the process more efficient and save your results for tracking. 
          1. Research opportunities
            Consider the type of career where you can match your skills, interests, values, and goals. If you hesitate about a full-time format, review options like part-time, job shadowing, and volunteering projects to begin with. Look at your industry and outside your field—job market trends, career platforms, company websites, and industry reports to check the availability of preferable roles. Having a diverse list of potential careers will expand your opportunities. This research can also highlight qualifications you might need to gain for these roles.
            Networking matters to the same extent. Conversations with specialists in the area will provide valuable insights into the career you are interested in, as well as its pros and cons.

          2. Analyze your skills
            Identify the hard skills and soft skills you currently possess and how they translate to your desired field. Use career coaching tools to evaluate them. Amy offers the Skill Development Plan and Skills Gap Analysis exercises to create a skills development plan, define gaps, and bridge them through courses and training programs. Remember to assess your transferable skills. Transferable skills are the abilities you have picked up over time—things like problem-solving, communication, or being adaptable—that can work in almost any job or industry. The key is showing how those skills connect to your targeted role and how your experience makes you a great fit even in a new field.
          1. Create a roadmap for proactive steps
            Once you assess your skills and opportunities, create a plan with steps and a timeline. Map self-reflection information. Set specific goals and take action. A roadmap will give you visibility and measurable results.
          1. Review your resume
            Before applying for new roles, refresh your resume and other related materials, including your LinkedIn profile. Highlight skills specific to a role you are targeting and the most relevant experiences.  

          Example of a career transition: career in data science

          Meet Mike, 45, who has been a marketing analyst for 20 years. He is ready for a career change but wants to stay in tech. While Mike enjoys working with data, he feels unfulfilled by the creative aspects of marketing and aims to dive deeper into data-driven problem-solving. After researching various career paths, he decided to transition into data science.

          Mike began by analyzing his existing skills, like statistical reporting and proficiency in Google Analytics. Skills to strengthen were programming and machine learning. Skills to learn—Python and SQL, which are essential for data science. He enrolled in an online course covering data visualization.

          While studying, Mike volunteered for a nonprofit project to analyze donor data. He started building a portfolio showcasing his capabilities. Mike attended a local meetup for data scientists, learned the day-to-day professional routine, and got feedback on his portfolio.

          To prepare for job applications, Mike updated his resume and LinkedIn profile to emphasize transferable skills, which in his case were marketing-related, and a new project. After months of preparation, Mike landed an entry-level data scientist position at a tech startup. 

          Using a structured approach, like leveraging existing strengths, gaining new skills, and proactively networking, Mike successfully achieved his career change goal.

          Let a career coach help you

          If you feel confused during self-reflection or stuck with your career transition plan, a career coach can smoothly navigate your career change—with confidence and clarity. Invest in your future with career coaching and step into your next chapter with peace of mind. 

          Hey, I Miss You. Yours Truly, Work-Life Balance

          Posted on by by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy

          Achieving a healthy work-life balance has become a top priority today, especially as remote work blurs the boundaries between professional and personal life. Harmony gets lost in long hours, late nights, and weekend work creeping into what should be your personal time. 

          What does social research tell us?

          Yet, prioritizing a balance of work and life can transform how you feel day-to-day: boost productivity, reduce stress, and enhance your well-being. In this article, we will cover the work-life balance meaning, the benefits of work-life balance, and how to spot and improve a poor one. 

          What exactly does work-life balance mean?

          Work-life balance generally refers to a harmony between professional and personal life. Everyone’s ideal balance is unique. It’s like an individual formula where the sum isn’t only counted in the number of hours you work but rather in ensuring that time at work and home is spent meaningfully and productively. Too many personal commitments can be as overwhelming as when work consumes your life, making it hard to find a true balance.

          You don’t put in less effort or compromise any of your goals. You create boundaries that let you invest fully in both areas. You find your rhythm without the pressure of competing priorities.

          For many parents, flexible work options are a benefit, such as a remote format or flexible hours, to have quality family time without sacrificing work productivity. For many corporate workers, a good work-life balance is to leave the office at 5 PM and return at 9 AM the next day. For many young professionals who combine study at university and work, having a part-time occupation is a must. 

          Why is a healthy work-life balance important?

          Keeping a balance between work and life matters because proper coordination of the two affects overall well-being:

          • Health: better mental health and fewer stress-related illnesses.
          • Relationships: closer connections with loved ones and higher levels of emotional fulfillment.
          • Productivity: better productivity as you need time to recharge to maintain focus and can make room in your schedule for hobbies or other leisure activities.

          When in harmony, everything flows better. But what if things start to fall out of work-life balance? The truth is, when work starts to dominate, or you are constantly juggling personal duties, the impact can be damaging. That’s why we will review how to spot a poor work-life balance.

          the image of family and a healthy work-life balance

          Success story at Amy: from feeling overwhelmed to bringing work and life into balance

          Background

          Mary came to a career coach feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. She was working late hours and weekends, adjusting to a new city, and struggling to find any enjoyment in her life. She held onto a rigid work routine that added stress, even though it wasn’t serving her well. Mary wanted to change her apartment, as her current one made her feel cramped, but she didn’t have the time. She was also pushing herself hard in sports despite a knee injury.

          Our approach

          Together with a career coach, Mary embarked on a three-month coaching journey focused on rediscovering what she truly enjoyed and aligning her lifestyle with those preferences. Here is an overview of what was done:

          • Values discovery and prioritization. We explored Mary’s core values to understand what mattered to her. This helped Mary recognize that her well-being and personal happiness were as important as her professional achievements.
          • Identifying inner resources, skills, and external supports. This process boosted Mary’s confidence and made her feel empowered to make decisions that aligned with her values.
          • Stress management techniques. We introduced mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques, and journaling to manage stress effectively. This helped Mary break the cycle of feeling overwhelmed and regain clarity.
          • Goal alignment and adjustments. Mary’s initial goals were reassessed and adjusted to be more realistic and aligned with her current lifestyle and well-being needs. Smaller, actionable steps replaced vague or overly ambitious targets.
          • Lifestyle rebalancing strategies. Mary shifted her exercise routine to focus on healing her knee injury, integrating yoga and low-impact activities instead of high-intensity sports. She worked on redesigning her daily schedule, allocating specific times for relaxation, hobbies, and apartment hunting.
          • Step-by-step vision, mission, and strategy development. We worked together to craft a clear vision of her ideal life, defining her mission in both personal and professional contexts. We created a step-by-step strategy, breaking her vision into achievable milestones with timelines and actionable steps. This gave Mary a structured roadmap to follow, making her goals feel attainable and less overwhelming.

          Results achieved

          Over time, Mary found a new apartment that felt like home, modified her sports routine to suit her physical needs, and eventually took a sabbatical she had dreamed about for years. By the end of the process, she not only achieved a work-life balance she felt at ease with but also began to attract new career opportunities. Her renewed energy and confidence led her to deliver keynote speeches to audiences of over a thousand people and take on exciting new projects at work.

          What is an unhealthy work-life balance?

          The first and foremost sign is that you cannot disconnect from work. Despite being tired, your mind is preoccupied with tasks and deadlines. As a result, you have trouble relaxing and tend to overwork or procrastinate. But procrastination only piles up the work. Not to mention more harmful consequences such as burnout caused by chronic stress, which is a state of exhaustion, both mental and physical. 

          What are other signs of poor work-life balance?

          • You lack motivation, and your performance decreases. What once felt like the right career decision no longer brings you fulfillment. Sunday evening is a cycle of ruminating thoughts about the beginning of a new working week.
          • You are generally irritated, anxious, and frustrated, and your relationships with family, friends, or colleagues suffer. You cancel shared plans and isolate.  
          • You don’t have time for yourself because you work without a break. You respond to emails on weekends and vacations and give up your hobbies.   
          • You cannot meet deadlines without overtime hours and cannot take days off, like sick leaves.

          Besides, here is a self-coaching exercise to spot an unhealthy life and work balance to start taking steps for improvement. For all the questions, mark from 1 to 10, where 1 is not at all, and 10 is very often.

          • Are you satisfied with the time you dedicate to personal activities versus work commitments?
          • How often do you have activities that feel draining rather than fulfilling?
          • How often do you feel overwhelmed by work or personal responsibilities?
          • How often do you feel stressed?
          • Does your work-life balance impact your health?
          • Can you disconnect from work during your leisure time? 
          • Do you wish to set any boundaries at work or home?

          If you have more than 35 points overall for all questions, consider talking to a career expert or initiate your change:

          • What would a perfect work-life balance look like for you? What changes, if any, would you like to make? Can you adjust your schedule when necessary?
          • What small steps can you take now to move closer to your healthy work-life balance?

          How to improve work-life balance?

          On top of self-reflection, consider the following practices:

          1. Set clear boundaries and priorities. Draw a line in a schedule between your professional and personal life. You can either stick to traditional work hours, even if you work remotely or in a hybrid format, or tailor a schedule to your lifestyle. To have a more predictable workday, limit after-hours communication by defining expectations around response times. Let your colleagues know when you are offline, like putting your work hours on your Google Calendar.
            What about priorities? Setting the right priorities means managing critical or most difficult tasks first. To define essential activities, time and calendar blocks may serve as the bridge to progress. For example, the timeboxing technique covers time blocks to different areas of life, ensuring that work doesn’t spill over into personal time.
          1. Take a break and take care of yourself. Give yourself restorative moments without sacrificing commitments. These can be short, frequent breaks like a lunchtime walk to increase your energy level or weekends spent with friends to nurture your mental wellness. A positive routine is to plan activities to eagerly await once you are off work. Practice self-care through time for personal interests, exercises, restful sleep, and healthy eating. These habits make it easier to manage work demands. 
          1. Create a dedicated workspace. As a remote professional, set a mental boundary between career and personal pursuits with a specific physical space, like a home office, work corner, or a coworking room. Physically stepping away from this space can help you mentally disconnect from your job.
          1. Delegate responsibilities. If possible, at work and home, share tasks with others to ease your workload and reduce stress. It doesn’t mean shifting your assignments onto someone else without reason. It means distributing resources wisely when you are overwhelmed, exhausted, or under pressure. If you cannot delegate tasks due to mental barriers rather than a lack of resources, talking to a career coach develops a mindset shift that makes delegation feel more achievable.

          Improving a work-life balance is about prioritizing, setting boundaries, delegating when possible, and caring for yourself. By regularly analyzing what is working and what is not, you make consistent changes to align your time with what truly matters. Mindful strategies and actionable steps towards them foster a more balanced lifestyle. The process helps you avoid burnout and increase job satisfaction, as well as be thrilled and fulfilled with your personal goals.

          How can career coaching support your work-life balance?

          Career coaching gives you techniques and tools to achieve your professional goals. Professional goals are best tracked on a career plan. In the context of work-life balance, a long-term career plan for career development gives the structure to maintain balance in all areas of life. Together with you, a career coach sets a realistic timeline for proactive steps, skills to gain, potential career shifts, or opportunities that support personal values. 

          Career coaching techniques are also tied to setting boundaries and prioritizing time effectively while sticking to the career plan. The article Work-Life Balance: 5 Time Management Techniques to Handle Work and Personal Responsibilities Effectively describes the approach in detail. 

          Begin making progress

          Building a career without compromising work-life balance is possible with career coaching. Amy provides instruments and expert guidance to find harmony between your career ambitions and personal life. You will improve your job satisfaction and, as a result, overall well-being. Start with Amy career coaching free exercises to make your way to a desired career format. 

          Work-Life Balance: 5 Time Management Techniques to Handle Work and Personal Responsibilities Effectively

          Posted on by by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy

          Effective time management is the steering wheel that keeps your work-life balance on course. If you lack proper time management, juggling work and personal responsibilities seems like a never-ending loop. You are either speeding through burnout territory or idling in procrastination land. The bright side is that you can bring your schedule back under control to be more productive, less stressed, on track with your goals, and happy about yourself and other people around you. It’s time to talk about time!

          Technique 1: Prioritize, then delegate

          Nino Udovychko-career coach at Amy

          “Identify what’s essential and let go of tasks that don’t serve your core goals. Delegate wherever possible to maintain balance.”

          Nina Udovychko, a career expert at Amy with the main area of expertise in Work-Life Balance

          Prioritizing what deserves your effort overall and at the moment matters most. A healthy work-life balance requires giving the right amount of time and attention to both work and personal commitments—along with activities that help recharge you. In a daily routine or when it comes to life-changing occasions, identifying priorities is the fuel to understand what is important and what is secondary. 

          Exercise: Prioritization matrix

          With the Prioritization Matrix exercise at Amy, you list down tasks that need to be done, split them into four groups (urgent and important, not urgent but important, urgent but not important, not urgent and not important), and fill in each of them.

          prioritization matrix exercise

          After completing the exercise, you will have insights to improve focus, reduce overwhelm, and enhance productivity. A career coach can guide you if you are confused or stuck on core points to which you want to devote more time.

          More and more work, why so? 

          Boundaries are the guardrails of your priorities. Without drawing boundaries, priorities are tough to follow. Since you may be highly motivated or worry not to let your colleagues down, you may have trouble saying no to extra activities. Setting healthy boundaries doesn’t hurt relationships, but constantly working after hours usually does. When you overwork yourself, your personal life suffers, and when your personal life is chaotic, your work takes a hit.

          Nino Udovychko-career coach at Amy

          “Overworking often feels like being in a high-speed race with no end in sight. The first step of breaking it is learning to gradually slow down—sudden stops can be counterproductive. I often recommend starting with small, intentional breaks throughout the day, even just five minutes every hour, to step away, breathe, or do a bit of light exercise. Physical movement helps shake off accumulated stress and reset focus.

          Once the initial pace has slowed, it’s important to step back and take a big-picture view of one’s life and career. Overworking frequently results from a lack of long-term planning, leaving people feeling reactive rather than proactive. To address this, I work with clients to develop a year-long strategy that aligns with their values and core goals. When they have a clear roadmap, they’re less likely to fall into a pattern of constant overworking. This process not only helps manage workloads effectively but also allows them to move forward with purpose, avoiding burnout along the way.”

          Nina Udovychko, a career expert at Amy with the main area of expertise in Work-Life Balance

          A career coach can help you develop strategies for managing expectations and create a separation between work and personal life.

          Technique 2: Use your calendar

          Nino Udovychko-career coach at Amy

          “Schedule everything, from work tasks to personal commitments. This not only provides structure but also helps ensure that you’re making time for what matters most.“

          Nina Udovychko, a career expert at Amy with the main area of expertise in Work-Life Balance

          Instead of just listing to-dos, schedule them on your calendar: intervals for work engagement, exercises, or family time. Treat your personal activities with the same respect as your work appointments. This way, you are less likely to push them aside because something “urgent” and job-related came up.

          Exercise: Calendar audit

          Calendar Audit exercise at Amy covers your reflections on events for the past 2 weeks in areas of mental health, physical health, career, family, and personal growth. You fill in each field and answer what you want to change in your planning. What you can do today to make it happen.

          Calendar Audit exercise at Amy

          As a result, you gain control over your schedule, increase efficiency, and minimize stress by identifying and eliminating time-wasters. 

          Technique 3: Time blocking for deep work

          Nino Udovychko-career coach at Amy

          “Set dedicated blocks of time for focused work without distractions, followed by blocks for personal or family time. This rhythm keeps you productive and present in all areas of life.“

          Nina Udovychko, a career expert at Amy with the main area of expertise in Work-Life Balance

          Deep work targets tasks that require your full attention, like strategizing, writing, and problem-solving. You create a space where you get into the flow, not to be sidetracked by interruptions. How do you accomplish uninterrupted focus? Project management tools, time trackers, and apps for limiting distraction can help control involvement. But initially, identify the best focus times when you are naturally more productive and at your mental peak.

          Exercise: Energy audit

          Energy Audit exercise at Amy comes in handy to optimize your energy boost, manage energy for better health, and allocate energy to priority tasks. You evaluate your day and what activities add a drive in your highest energy level periods. You do the same for the lowest energy level periods—what decreases your motivation and drains energy. The finish line of the exercise wraps small steps to matching energy patterns with your daily schedule.

          Energy Audit exercise at Amy

          Example of a resulting schedule:

          1. 9:00 – 10:00 AM: Morning routine
          2. 10:00 – 11:00 AM: Deep work
          3. 11:00 – 11:30 AM: Break
          4. 11:30 – 12:00 PM: Emails
          5. 12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch
          6. 1:00 – 4:00 PM: Deep work
          7. 4:00 – 6:00 PM: Quick assignments
          8. 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Personal time

          Technique 4: Unfocus to refocus

          Nino Udovychko-career coach at Amy

          “Step away every hour or two to recharge—take a walk, play with your pet, or hit the gym. Small breaks can dramatically boost your productivity and focus.”

          Nina Udovychko, a career expert at Amy with the main area of expertise in Work-Life Balance

          When you keep pushing your concentration, your brain gets tired, and you may feel stuck or burned out. Stepping away from your desk improves clarity. Think of it like rebooting a laptop to speed it up when running slow. A good shift would be something unrelated to work, like listening to music or doing chores. 

          Consequently, you could handle the demands of work, identify sources of stress, if any, and cope with the pressure. 

          Technique 5: Quarterly check-in

          Nino Udovychko-career coach at Amy

          “Take time every three months to assess where you are and where you want to be. Break it down into life spheres—career, relationships, health, personal growth—and see what needs adjusting.”

          Nina Udovychko, a career expert at Amy with the main area of expertise in Work-Life Balance

          You may be so caught up in the day-to-day that you forget to pause:

          • What is going well?
          • Where do I feel off-balance?
          • What is a step to make life better in this area?
          • Are there any habits I need to start or stop? What can I adjust?

          A quarterly check-in lets you hit the reset button, track the ongoing progress, and realign your focus. By breaking it down into specific areas of life, you get a clearer picture of what needs tweaking. 

          Example of quarterly check-in:

          • Career: “Did I set clearer boundaries? Do I regularly block time for focused work?”
          • Relationships: “I’ve been spending little time with my child because of extra work. I plan to delegate some responsibilities to free up my schedule.”
          • Health: “I’ve been eating junk food lately because of stress. I will aim to prepare healthy meals at least twice a week.”
          • Personal growth: “Can I dedicate an hour a week to learning about copywriting?”

          Try career coaching 

          A career counselor helps you build strong organizational skills while working in the office or remotely, have more control over your schedules, and beat the procrastination trap. You meet professional deadlines while making space for your personal priorities and commitments.

          When work demands too much and leaves little time for you, you seek a career that supports your lifestyle. Sometimes, a job may feel unbearable, and if prioritization and other techniques don’t fix the cause, consider a change. Use your free time to focus on a job search: set clear career goals, update your resume, and apply to preferable roles. Taking actionable steps not only helps you endure your current job but also moves you closer to something better. 

          With the help of career coaching, you can improve your work-life balance in a current role or a new job to stop sacrificing your personal happiness for your career. Try Amy human potential platform for self-coaching exercises or expert guidance.

          Career Types and Formats: From Nine-to-Five Jobs to Freelance Services

          Posted on by by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy

          Careers vary in types, formats, and the lifestyle they support. A long-term role within one company, a job that spans different industries, or even a mix of two totally unrelated skills. Still, this is not the full list.

          In a world with so many career paths, it is easy to get caught up in traditional routes and miss opportunities that could fit you better beyond the usual options. The career choices are limitless, and the article will guide you on paths, whether you are entering the job market or considering a career change.

          Types: careers by professions and industries

          By reviewing the core career types, you can uncover your true calling, avoid getting stuck in meaningless jobs, and ignite the spark of your interests.

          • Public sector careers with clear structures. These jobs stand for stable, secure environments like hospitals, schools, or governments with a path for progression that needs formal education and often years of experience to advance to senior levels. Traditional careers are fueled by commitment and human-focused impact, such as healthcare and social assistance that improve people’s lives, health, and well-being. 
          • Creative careers with the freedom to express yourself. These jobs, like writing or design, typically promote flexibility, original ventures, and fresh perspectives. 
          • Technology careers with fast-growing innovation, like data science and software development. Tech professionals are in demand in every industry because of digital advancement. These jobs offer secure, high salaries, remote schedules, and engaging tasks to tackle.
          • Academic and research careers with opportunities to contribute to specialized fields and be devoted to long-lasting learning. If you are driven by questions, exposed to discoveries, and pursue knowing more, you could take a closer look at research and academic roles.
          • Hands-on work, such as plumbing and mechanics, which is the best fit for specialists who prefer solving practical problems and working with their hands. Here, job availability depends on location. 
          • Mission-driven non-profit jobs that give a sense of purpose and align professional work with personal values. In addition to fulfillment, you get a supportive, people-oriented culture. 
          • Entrepreneur-based careers with independence and autonomy. Generally, business owners, freelancers, or consultants are self-motivated individuals with risk tolerance, focusing on managing their services to navigate market demands.
          The example of career coaching process

          Organization size: companies, firms, startups

          Organization size determines responsibilities and the level of bureaucracy. A role in a corporation is shaped in other ways than a role in a small company. In most scenarios, large companies assign defined tasks around designated roles where you don’t need to cope with something outside your scope of work like legal or financial directions. For example, a marketing specialist in a corporation orients solely on content strategy, leaving a video production piece to a scriptwriter. Multiple layers of management take more time for decision-making, though. Still, they offer opportunities for promotions, performance reviews, and development programs linked to career growth over the long term.

          Small companies prioritize a dynamic approach to adapt to changes quickly. Employees in small companies may deal with activities crossing into several departments. For example, a marketing specialist might handle content strategy, email campaigns, and social media. Startups are fast-paced environments with opportunities to scale up at lightning speed and take ownership, but sometimes, you may need to sacrifice supporting resources and time.

          Formats: careers by direction

          Some careers require niche skills tailored through experience in a particular area. Other careers—a broader range of skills applied in multiple contexts throughout industries. Mastering operational and leadership roles simultaneously is also a possible career scenario. What about career growth in these cases? Let’s figure out what vertical and horizontal careers are and if blending projects, as well as unrelated directions, can be within your reach. 

          Vertical career growth

          The vertical direction of career development means moving up a career ladder and a single field of expertise. You get promoted within one organization. Picture a consultant junior specialist in retail taking the role of project manager in retail in 4 years. 

          Best fit for: A professional who sticks to a stable, clear path to advance their career, get a higher salary, and make linear progress. For those who aspire to leadership roles.

          Horizontal career growth

          The horizontal career growth does not always lead to a promotion or pay raise. A position grows in level, responsibility, or role over time, progressing from junior to middle, then senior. You move across fields. You deepen your skills and experience. Imagine a writer expanding their expertise from technical writing to copywriting. 

          Best fit for: A professional who strives to broaden knowledge and flourish in various domains. For those valuing flexibility and cross-functional roles.

          Unrelated career directions

          Mixing different jobs builds a unique professional profile. You gain insights from many areas and cover your aspirations to the full extent. While embracing unrelated directions seems to be a rewarding experience, it takes effort to balance. 

          If you have many interests and can’t imagine choosing between them, mixing careers might be the best way to be equally passionate about two or more. Take the example of an engineer at a mid-size company working as a project manager for a non-profit organization with initiatives that help create positive change.

          Best fit for: A professional who craves variety and feels limited by a single focus. A person who is open to constant shifts and challenges. And, of course, who is proficient in time management. 

          Lifestyle: careers by schedule and environment 

          To piece together the final part of the puzzle, we will examine careers based on hours:

          • A full-time job, nine-to-five, has been a conventional career path for the last decades. You commit around 40 hours a week for long-term career development and consistent income. 
          • A part-time occupation or flexible hours can, on the contrary, support your secondary commitments or interests. Like freelance projects or gigs where hours can be customized. 
          • Speaking about the projects-based career path, you may be hired for short-term assignments with specific objectives, allowing for breaks or time off between involvements.

          Working environment is another essential as weighing options between on-site, remote, or hybrid equals defining your style of living. 

          • On-site work is perfect if you thrive on routine and enjoy in-person engagement: you are more productive in a dedicated workspace, and you want a clear boundary between work and home. Certain careers strictly expect physical presence as part of hands-on work or direct interaction with machinery and customers.
          • If supported by a company, hybrid models present the sum of two: online and offline collaboration. With fewer days spent in the office, you save time on commuting but add a bit of personal connection as opposed to remote.
          • Remote jobs are common in tech and provide flexibility if you are comfortable working from home without needing a physical office. You handle tasks from a living room, a cafe, a coworking space, or even a different city without sacrificing job stability. 
          The example of career coaching session

          How to find the right career path with career coaching

          Career self-coaching practices or, to be more precise, free available career instruments can help you understand which path is for you. No matter whether you are searching for a new job or changing career direction. You can become your own career coach. 

          Self-coaching usually goes in the form of exercises to practice: you choose an exercise, take it while reflecting on your experience, and get the results. It’s like putting yourself in the driver’s seat and taking ownership of your path. The Amy career coaching platform has a library of exercises, like Personal SWOT Analysis and Skill Development Plan, each with the timing, ability to review answers, and progress tracking. 

          In the case of finding the right career path, the career coaching practices will be to: 

          1. Self-reflect. Think over, realize, and evaluate your interests, needs, and experience. Analyze your current job format or your future one:
            • Do I value stability and structure, or do I prefer flexibility and independence?
            • Am I comfortable with the risks of working independently? 
            • Am I into continuous learning or mastering a skill and putting it into practice?
            • Do I prefer to shape my own journey or assume responsibilities in a traditional work environment?
          2. Take a closer look at preferable career paths. Follow companies’ websites and social media to learn about their culture and potential opportunities, or meet people in the industry to expand your network and simply communicate. This way, you will stay updated on organizational structures, vacancies, and other news. 
          3. Set actionable goals. Draft your career plan with goals and information from self-assessment. You include a goal, a timeline, and how you will measure success. 

          Ask for help if you feel confused and uncertain

          So many professionals struggle to find clarity and direction. This causes frustration and missed opportunities. A career counselor can support you in exploring paths you hadn’t considered, expand your view of what is possible, and create a tailored roadmap to bring those goals within reach. The benefits are personalized guidance in identifying strengths, setting realistic career goals, choosing a suitable career type and format, and creating steps to advance while addressing any blocks. Rediscover your worth as a professional with a personal career coach. 

          What’s next?

          Career coaching services can absolutely ease navigating the turns of your career path—current and future ones—and assist you with job searching and career transition to pave the way for new career opportunities. Try the Amy career coaching platform for more.

          Lifestyle Coaching, Career Coaching, and Mentorship—What Are They All About?

          Posted on by by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy

          In the process of seeking guidance to address life challenges or career challenges in particular, you may find yourself unsure about the best type of support to pursue. With many coaching options like lifestyle coaching, business coaching, relationship coaching, career coaching, or mentorship available, you need to determine which path will best serve your goals and circumstances. 

          Any coaching nurtures self-development overall. Career coaching narrows down to career development questions. What is mentoring, then? One by one, we will clarify the most common types: lifestyle coaching, career coaching, and mentorship. 

          Can lifestyle coaching cover all? 

          Lifestyle coaching covers all aspects of life, from relationships, wellness, and leisure to careers. But speaking about the last one on the list, a life coach touches on the essentials of career guidance, while a career coach centers around your professional goals and practices to achieve them. 

          The goal of a lifestyle coach is to help you enhance your quality of life:

          1. Do you live a fulfilling life? Can you balance its aspects, like work and self-care? What areas of personal growth would make a positive impact on your life?
          2. Do your habits, daily routine, and personal goals match your values? 
          3. What are habits or negative patterns holding you back from your desired lifestyle? 
          4. Do you have a good work-life balance?

          For whom is lifestyle coaching?

          For everyone who needs to: 

          • Address challenges in their life holistically and from a broader perspective, including relationships, personal development, health, career, and other parts
          • Set realistic personal goals
          • Achieve overall happiness

          Is career coaching just about jobs, or does it also improve well-being?

          Career coaching keeps the focus not only on finding a new job for you or following a career roadmap. In addition, a career development coach teams up with you to be satisfied with work-life balance, confident while negotiating salary and promotions, and able to set boundaries and say “no” when required. Since, in truth, careers take up a significant portion, about a third, of our lives.

          Career consultants use career-focused techniques that contribute to personal well-being, like systemic coaching, positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy coaching, and gestalt psychology. This is how career coaching works.

          The goal of a personal career coach is to help you with career building, transition, and advancement:

          1. What do you really want in your career right now? More purpose? A chance to grow? 
          2. How does the new role line up with your personal values and skills? 
          3. Does the company you work at have room for you to grow over time?

          For whom is career coaching?

          For everyone who needs to: 

          • Maintain professional growth and develop new skills
          • Smoothly change career direction without unpredictable risks
          • Get job search strategies, resume crafting, and interview preparation
          • Set career-related goals and create actionable career plans
          The image of career coaching visualization

          What sets mentorship apart from coaching?

          Mentorship is when someone more experienced (mentor), a senior partner in your industry or a professional beyond, shares knowledge, insights, and advice to help you (mentee) navigate your career or personal development. 

          Mentorship involves solving specific requests, situations, or tasks that a mentee faces. A mentor is a person who has walked a similar path and can now offer an informed perspective that reveals the bigger picture. This relationship provides both strategic insights and practical know-how.

          For whom is mentoring?

          For everyone who doesn’t require long-term relationships, who needs an expert for occasional support without a deep dive and to: 

          • Increase motivation
          • Have technical assistance tied to their profession or area of work
          • Feel a sense of connection and build a network

          The common ground of lifestyle coaching, career coaching, and mentoring

          Lifestyle and career coaching prioritize small steps you can take today toward your goals. Both coaching types expect you to follow the actionable plan, measure results, and define success indicators. The mentoring style is more form-free, often without a strict structure, but you can still define your goals. 

          Lifestyle coaching, career coaching, and mentoring are centered on a personalized, unique approach. All three encourage you to step back and reflect on your experience.

          Summary

          The comparison of life coaching, career coaching, and mentoring

          Can I check one right now? What about career guidance services?

          You will surely benefit from any form of coaching and mentoring. Coaching is your elevator for better self-awareness, social connections, mental health, and balance in all aspects of life. 

          If you aim for career goals and solutions, the Amy platform has a library of career self-coaching exercises and career coaches to reach out to, including professionals who offer the first free session to book. Take a step toward your career advancement. Find a career coach for yourself.

          Self-Coaching: 3 Techniques to Boost Your Career Development 

          Posted on by by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy

          The power of career self-coaching lies in proven techniques shaped by career coaching experts. The techniques promote clarity in a career path to follow the desired direction and be open to new opportunities. How can you prepare for self-coaching? Where can you start? Let’s tackle the basics and review three techniques in the form of exercises you can take on the Amy platform.

          The story of career self-coaching behind the article

          Emma is a UX/UI designer with years of experience in product design at big tech companies. She grasps a mass of positive feedback from clients and their customers. She highly simplifies the use of a product, especially in the fields of FinTech and Healthcare, and has striking use cases. May seems impressive, isn’t it? On the flip side, Emma manifests better assertiveness skills and a hard stop at 6 PM. She is overly dedicated and sacrifices other life areas for her career. Plus, she tends to tolerate criticism poorly and take it personally.

          A picture of a woman sitting at a desk, as an example of practicing career coaching

          Emma isn’t flexible and risky when it comes to career transition. She prefers staying in a single, safe place but, at the same time, needs a career format change because of her current tough schedule. Maybe freelance or smaller company with fewer responsibilities. 

          We will show Emma’s example through three techniques.

          Preparation: Ask yourself questions

          When you get into career coaching, the first thing worth doing is to ask yourself questions. The practice is called journaling and involves writing down the answers to understand your motivations and challenges—and, first of all, what you feel. Take the following:

          1. Interests: What are my interests and passions? Are my interests present in my job, or are they outside my role? What are my life values?
          2. Preferences: What do I like and dislike most about my job? What does my perfect work environment look like? What is my perfect schedule?
          3. Achievements: How do I define success and measure my progress? How can I celebrate my achievements? What have been my biggest career achievements?
          4. Inspirations: What inspires me to pursue my career goals?
          5. Challenges: How do I handle challenges? Can I handle them alone, or do I need support and guidance? Do I face any challenges with my current job? Is there anything that holds me back in my career? How do I address the situation?
          6. Risks: What risks can I take for my career? Am I ready for changes and to step out of my comfort zone?
          7. Lessons learned: What have I learned from my career experience or previous jobs?

          You can expand the list to fit your unique case or even personalize the questions. Journaling formats also vary. A pocket notebook or digital, like an app or an online platform—choose based on what suits you best.

          Make the journaling practice a regular activity or build a foundation for your further career coaching exercises that we will move on to in the next sections. As a regular activity, spend a few minutes every morning, after lunch, or in the evening. For example, start each morning with a quick note of your intentions and goals or write down your day’s experiences before bed. Midday check-in helps reflect on progress.

          Technique 1: Your work values

          If you live in harmony with your work values, you are satisfied with your occupation and break through barriers without a doubt.

          The technique called Your Work Values sticks to the three groups of values: 

          • Core principles like ambition, honesty, or status
          • Relationships and people like respect, trust, or leadership 
          • Work activities like quality, innovativeness, or contribution
          The image of the exercise Your Work Values

          You choose the ones that resonate most with you—whether you are in a team of autonomy, managing your schedule, or prefer the leadership of skillful managers. You rate your work values to indicate how much the value is present at your current job. 

          Take a look at Emma’s work values map:

          General:

          • Achievements: the ability to reach goals (8/10 various projects available in the pool, but not enough time for learning and upskilling)
          • Work-life balance in work time and leisure time (4/10 because of overtimes and work on weekends)
          • Passion: work that evokes enthusiasm and drive (10/10 UI/UX design is my calling)

          Relationships:

          • Recognition: acknowledgment of contribution (10/10 based on the amount of feedback received) 
          • Empathy: the ability to empathize with others and understand their situations and problems (8/10 managers don’t always consider personal circumstances, for overtime activities including)
          • Teamwork: encouragement of collaborative work on projects and tasks (10/10 admiringly collaborative work environment)

          Work:

          • Quality: work that has high quality (10/10 as I try my best and have successful case studies)
          • Creativity: work that needs creative abilities (10/10 creative tasks smoothly balance technical activities)
          • Assistance: work that is aimed at helping people (10/10 I turn complex product solutions into designs straightforward to customers) 

          Emma needs to reflect on her work-life balance and communication with her manager. Is it possible to make this value more present in a current job? What small step can she take today to open doors to the change?

          The Your Work Values exercise provides clear names and definitions to bring yourself closer to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. 

          Technique 2: Job satisfaction wheel

          Job Satisfaction Wheel covers various areas of your work to rate and clarify what really matters to you and what you can tolerate. Job satisfaction assessment emphasizes action items to improve your current state in career development. 

          Once you rate areas, the Job Satisfaction Wheel gives you a clear view of your job satisfaction level. Take time to analyze where you have the lowest rates among aspects like:

          • Work environment
          • Freedom and autonomy
          • Compensation
          • Learning and growth opportunities

          What can you do this week to improve them?

          The image of the exercise Job Satisfaction Wheel

          Job satisfaction wheel example

          We will use Emma’s experience while working in a big tech company.

          Rating:

          • Work environment: 5/10 (the collaborative team but high stress and long hours)
          • Freedom and autonomy: 5/10 (limited autonomy in decision-making)
          • Compensation: 10/10 (financially stable)
          • Learning and growth opportunities: 4/10 (limited room for growth in the current setup)
          Rating of Working Environment, the exercise Job Satisfaction Wheel
          Rating of Freedom and autonomy, the exercise Job Satisfaction Wheel
          Rating of Compensation, the exercise Job Satisfaction Wheel
          Rating of Learning and growth opportunities, the exercise Job Satisfaction Wheel

          Action plan: 

          Joining a smaller company can enhance job autonomy but might impact compensation. However, Emma can start with:

          1. Developing a personal brand: build an online presence by sharing design works on Dribble and Behance platforms to position herself as an expert.
          2. Start as a part-time freelancer: begin freelancing to test the waters.

          Regularly using the Job Satisfaction Wheel helps easily spot imbalances in a job, create and follow an action plan, and track how changes impact overall career satisfaction.

          Technique 3: Training growth mindset

          “The key factors for successful self-coaching or personal growth work would be one’s ability to deep reflective practice as well as the growth mindset (as per Carol Dweck’s book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.”).”
          Pasha Cherednychenko, a career expert at Amy, with two years of coaching experience and the main area of expertise in Work-Life Balance 

          At its core, a growth mindset means believing that you can develop your talents leads to greater success than thinking your abilities are fixed and cannot be improved. For example, Stanford University’s study about Growth Mindset and Enhanced Learning finds that when students have a growth mindset, they are more likely to challenge themselves, believe that they can achieve more, and become stronger, more resilient and creative problem solvers.

          With the Training Growth Mindset technique, you build the ability to overcome difficulties, embrace continuous learning, and foster a proactive attitude towards growth. In the exercise on the Amy platform, you will examine sample cases to practice how to address the situations, training your positive thinking and decision-making skills.

          The image of the exercise Training Growth Mindset

          Training growth mindset example

          1. As an experienced designer, Emma might believe she has mastered all possible techniques, and learning new ones feels overwhelming, especially with her schedule overloaded with tasks.
            Growth mindset approach: challenge yourself to embrace new technologies as opportunities for growth, even if it initially feels uncomfortable.
            Action: set a small monthly learning goal, like microlearning for mastering AI UX trends, and apply what you’ve learned to projects.
            Result: “Even though I’ve been working in the UI/UX field for years, trying new patterns will push me to think creatively and keep my skills current.”
          2. Emma struggles to handle criticism and not to take it personally, which impacts her confidence.
            Growth mindset approach: View criticism as a headway, not as a reflection of your worth as a designer.
            Action: After receiving constructive criticism, ask follow-up questions to understand the feedback better. This helps to accept feedback as an essential part of professional growth.
            Result: “The feedback I get isn’t a personal attack. It is about the design mockup. I can improve the part the client talks about by making adjustments.”

          Practice self-coaching exercises 

          In addition to goal-setting and actionable strategies, career coaching makes you reflect on your past and current path, as self-reflection is the foundation of the first two. The self-coaching techniques like Your Work Values, Job Satisfaction Wheel, and Training Mindset Growths boost confidence, foster resilience, and facilitate decision-making for a fulfilling career path. 

          If you are striving for a new job, a career change, or a promotion, self-coaching equips you with the tools to have the career you envision. Start with Amy’s self-coaching exercises today for your professional and personal growth. 

          Why Should Your Career Match Your Lifestyle?

          Posted on by by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy

          We are used to how careers define our lifestyles and commonly look for a job with a decent salary and matching skills, ignoring the schedule. Even though work formats have evolved with technologies, we still wonder if our style of living is worth shaping job choices and not the other way around. “Isn’t it risky?” you might ask. And you will be right in a way. Despite that, before jumping to conclusions, we will review the pros and cons of each approach—lifestyle adapting the career and career adapting the lifestyle. 

          Weighing the options: career vs. lifestyle focus

          What comes to mind when mentioning the term lifestyle? The Cambridge Dictionary defines a lifestyle as a way of living—the things we usually do, where we live, what we spend our money on, and other daily routines. Lifestyle is also about our values and relationships with other people. 

          If we speak about things we usually do, we speak about a job or hobbies. If we speak about where we live, what we spend our money on, and the people we meet, a job is directly tied to the matter. That’s why a career is a driving force in our life.

          Deciding whether to build a career around your lifestyle or shape your lifestyle around your career is a personal choice that depends on your values, goals, and life circumstances. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches.

          The image contains the comparison of prioritizing lifestyle vs. career: advantages and disadvantages of each approach

          The best scenario is when you can complement your career and lifestyle or choose a career close to your daily schedule. However, life is not linear, and you may need to temporarily focus strictly on one way or another, like putting all your efforts into career advancement or personal growth.

          How can you understand that it’s time to question the career format you have?

          If you notice that your work negatively affects other aspects of life: relationships, time to do things you love, self-care activities, and finally, health—think it over. A World Health Organization study finds long working hours increase heart disease. Working 55 hours or more per week is a serious health hazard. Besides, work values that don’t match your personal values decrease motivation. Work activities that don’t match your personal interests decrease productivity.

          Overall, any work format cannot perfectly meet all needs, but you have the power to choose what truly matters to you. 

          How can you start changing the career format?

          In the first place, define your priorities and interests, and, of course, pay attention to life circumstances. Fair enough that you cannot neglect the financial side if you have a family to care for. In case you hesitate or feel confused about identifying those areas, career coaching exercises will come in handy. Or a career coach for a career change who can create a personalized career plan for you. Let’s examine two cases where online career coaching services can be valuable.

          Never-ending work cycle and professional frustration

          Meet Lynette, a sales executive with years of experience in a high-stress corporate job. 

          The image of a woman working as a corporate professional.

          Her typical day starts at 6 AM. and ends past 11 PM., because of two schoolchildren, chores, and work often spilling into her weekends. Lynette is passionate about her job and invests in her professional development for career growth. In addition, her current schedule demands business trips because of on-site client visits. 

          She thinks the more hours she dedicates to a job, the better it pays, but over time, the strain on her personal life and health becomes clear. Her relationships with her husband and children worsen due to the lack of time spent together. Since Lynette loves her family and wishes to devote more time to them, she is torn apart and develops chronic stress-related insomnia and anxiety. 

          Lynette’s situation is not uncommon. In fact, long working hours are linked to a higher risk of anxiety and depression. Overwork can also disrupt social relationships. If you find yourself in a similar situation, it’s worth considering whether your career truly serves your life—or if it’s draining you.

          Career coaching solution

          In Lynette’s case, career coaching practices can:

          1. Improve work-life balance
          2. Navigate career transition to a hybrid format (remote work with required trips to clients)  
          3. Assist in recalling a dream job and evaluating achievements at the company to appreciate progress

          Fulfilling potential and combining two occupations

          Take Richard, for example, a biotechnology technician at a mid-sized company who cannot advance or make changes that would give him fulfillment. 

          The image of a man combining two careers.

          He often dreams of reaching his potential in the music industry, mainly by starting a music production agency, but is okay with his current job at the same time. 

          Richard’s career doesn’t align with his ambitions and offers no room for growth, though it matches his degree and skills and maintains a secure income. Despite excelling at his job, he feels trapped by the rigid corporate structure that doesn’t offer opportunities for creativity or upward mobility. 

          So, Richard is stuck and cannot make the right decision. This sense of being stuck not only affects professional satisfaction but also leads to a decline in overall motivation and mental well-being. Like Richard, you may stay in a job that no longer serves you out of fear of the unknown, financial instability, or because you don’t believe other opportunities are within reach. However, remaining in an unfulfilling job can have long-term consequences on your happiness and career trajectory.

          Career coaching solution

          With the help of a personal career coach, Richard can:

          1. Combine two work formats: a freelance approach with music gigs on demand and part-time engineering services based on a contract in a company
          2. Vacancies browsing
          3. Goal-setting session for both career fields and directions
          4. Cover letter writing

          In both stories, the core issue is the same: Lynette’s and Richard’s careers dictate their lives rather than vice versa. Taking a pause, analyzing a career situation from a different angle, and making reasonable changes are what the two of them will benefit from. And career coaching can be of assistance here.

          Conclusion

          Job is not always about money. It’s also about fitting into your life. You cannot find a job that is fully satisfying, but you can find one close to sound, as work formats are flexible nowadays. One role may combine hundreds of activities unrelated to the first sight or those that intersect responsibilities. Consider not only formats like remote and corporate but also social factors—whether you feel comfy working in silos or crave company. Not to mention cases where sitting at the desk all day long is a nut to crack. 

          Career coaching is your instrument for remaining on track and fluent with your career choices. At Amy, you can try self-coaching exercises or consult a career coach who will help you maintain happy relationships with yourself and the world around you throughout your career. In the meantime, reflect on your interests and priorities to make an informed career choice that aligns with your desired lifestyle.

          How Career Coaching Can Change Your Life Today

          Posted on by by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy

          “If you aren’t happy at work, you aren’t happy at life,” they say. Whether this is true for you is a personal decision. While a job might not be the main source of happiness, it’s often necessary for a fulfilling life. Even more—an occupation can align with the individual’s passions and bring a sense of purpose if chosen wisely. But what if your work is a mix of pressure, anxiety, or financial tension? Or all three?

          Given that you dedicate most of your life to a job, sometimes there’s neither the opportunity nor the energy to step back and take a bird’s-eye view of your career path to enhance. This is when a career expert equipped with career coaching techniques can step in.

          To start with, what exactly is career coaching?

          Career coaching is a practice that helps people define their professional goals and achieve them with a personalized approach. Whether transitioning to a new role or overcoming career obstacles to improve an existing experience, career coaching addresses various work-related challenges.

          Career coaches, in their turn, can offer support by:

          • Assessing skills, strengths, and interests and setting career goals accordingly
          • Creating a tailored career plan with a strategy toward targeted positions
          • Improving cover letter and resume
          • Assisting with the interview processes
          • Navigating career transitions
          • Guiding on how to negotiate effectively for promotions, salary raises, and other benefits
          The image shows a woman with notes and the text: assess, improve, and navigate in terms of career.

          So, why do I absolutely need career coaching?

          Today’s job market demands a high level of flexibility and constant learning. Economic instabilities and artificial intelligence lead to job displacement in certain areas and new opportunities in others. According to McKinsey research, one in 16 workers may have to switch occupations by 2030.

          To keep up with the career landscape, you must know job updates and upskill. Thus, there is no better time to use career coaching services than now to ensure your productivity today and your bright future.

          Let’s review the following cases.

          1. You want to grow in your current role, but instead, you feel stuck and undervalued

          While every job involves engaging tasks, there’s often a degree of routine and repetition. If you feel unfulfilled and exhausted due to a constant cycle of meaningless tasks, it’s time to reassess the situation and explore potential changes.

          Another reason for new opportunities can be a lack of recognition at work, which hinders professional development and motivation.

          How can career coaching change the situation?

          A career coach will analyze your core competencies and pinpoint areas of expertise to clarify what you’re good at. Acknowledging strong sides helps communicate openly about accomplishments and expand the existing responsibilities.

          With a career roadmap, you will set meaningful objectives with smaller steps to bring vision and a sense of moving on.

          2. You want to change the position, but you are afraid of starting from scratch and facing financial wreckage

          You are sleeping and dreaming of approaching your newly rented office, opening a door, sitting at the desk, and starting the day with your first client. The alarm is ringing, and the smile on your face wipes away. You believe that stability and safety advance pursuing passions and entrepreneurial spirit.

          The “it’s too late” trap makes you question the relevance of your skills in a new field and think that you will lose your current income.

          How can career coaching change the situation?

          The hesitation fueled by a drastic career change requires a step-by-step plan and support. A career advisor will create a detailed transition plan with transferable skills for your new career path. You will add objectives, timing, training materials for upskilling, and other useful resources.

          Though the career change might seem risky, it’s often rewarding if planned thoroughly.

          3. You struggle for a work-life balance, but you lose the game

          Are you satisfied with your workload and the level of flexibility your job provides? Have you ever found yourself jumping into a loop of never-ending overtime despite your best intentions? Do you find it difficult to prioritize your tasks, communicate accomplishments, and set boundaries?

          Moreover, an unhealthy work-life balance and imposter syndrome often reinforce each other. Juggling excessive responsibilities and doubting your worth contributes to anxiety, procrastination, and burnout.

          How can career coaching change the situation?

          First, a career coach will identify the cause of the imbalance between your work and personal life. Depending on the reason, the expert can assist you with:

          • Time management and communication skills to boost assertiveness
          • Setting realistic expectations for the project
          • Acknowledging your accomplishments and establishing clear boundaries between work and personal time

          To sum up, what is the advice?

          The job should primarily reflect your lifestyle and promote positive thoughts. A mother of two, a father on paternity leave, a student graduating from the university, or a corporate worker with 15 years of experience in one field, you deserve to work at whatever pace and format suits you. Try Amy, and we will help you glow and grow with any work and career path.

          Your Career Success: Discover What Career Coaching Is and What Career Coach Does

          Posted on by by Nataliya Melnyk, Marketer at Amy

          Gartner survey finds that just 46% of employees are satisfied with their career development. 

          Building a career is not easy. Maintaining a career is equally challenging. And this remains true whether you’re a university graduate or a corporate professional. Happily, the way we think about careers can be shifted for the better with available, easy-to-try tools and expert guidance. Career coaching exists to give you those tools and hand in career development. Thus, we will start by clarifying its meaning.

          What is career coaching?

          Career coaching is about hands-on techniques for enhancing your professional life—to be satisfied with your career, be recognized, achieve professional and financial goals, and uncover hidden potential. 

          Let’s consider career coaching services a compass in the job market landscape. Here is how you can benefit from career coaching when you are lost:

          1. Align the compass with the north. Acknowledge your career obstacles: meaningless job, financial anxiety, poor work-life balance, or anything related.
          2. Orient the compass to your position. Identify your career expectations, whether setting professional goals, transitioning to a new career, or improving the workplace environment.
          3. Find the desired direction of travel. Determine a career path with interests, strengths, skills, and learning opportunities.
          4. Match your travel direction with the north. Work on a career plan, set meaningful objectives, and try coaching exercises to reflect on your approach and needs.
          5. Check your path using landmarks. Track progress on the career roadmap. Small, measured steps will eventually lead you to the targeted destination.
          The image includes a compass in hand like a career navigation instrument.

          At any step of finding the way, it’s natural to be uncertain, frustrated, or stuck. A certified career coach can consult, support, or fully guide you through the career path. This leads to the question: who exactly is a career coach, and why should you consider working with one? 

          Who is a career coach?

          A career coach is a professional who assists in achieving career goals. They work with you to overcome career challenges and tailor a unique career plan that fits your strengths, lifestyle, and aspirations. 

          Here are the areas career coaches often engage in.

          Preparing for a job application 

          Laying the foundation is everything. The cover letter and resume must be accurate, well-structured, and capture the employer’s attention on the experience required for the specific role. A career coach ensures your application materials reflect those. 

          To stand out, showcasing what impact you make at work is a must-have. A career coach offers an objective view of how much you can bring to the table, along with:

          • Crafting or refining cover letter and resume
          • Filling in the LinkedIn profile or a profile on any other recruitment platform
          • Participating in a desired job searching 
          • Preparing for interviews
          • Building or improving communication skills
          • Expanding network and valuable contacts for professional connections

          Navigating a career transition

          You believe you can do much more. Your current career is no longer fulfilling or aligned with who you are or want to be. You are passionate about your occupation, but professional frustration and lack of motivation started resonating. 

          Isn’t it the moment to explore new horizons? 

          When it comes to career change, the pressure of commitments and responsibilities might be too high to take a risk. And we understand how tough this is for you. Looking for an entirely new field, like going from corporate work to entrepreneurship or moving from one industry to another, seems promising but also scary. To clear your doubts and fears, a career counselor will aim at keeping the process straightforward, time-efficient, and certainly smooth while:

          • Assessing interests, strengths, and skills
          • Setting career goals
          • Creating a tailored career plan with a strategy toward targeted positions

          Shining in a current role 

          A professional career coach isn’t only about getting you hired somewhere new. They are likewise proficient in growing and flourishing your best self in a current career. 

          Achieve your work-life balance

          Balancing work and personal life keeps you productive, enthusiastic, and on track to reach your goals without sacrificing relationships, health, and well-being. If work consumes all your time and pushes what truly matters to the back seat, it can leave you exhausted and stuck in a cycle of endless repetition, with long-term effects if not addressed early on.

          Nice to meet you, confidence

          In addition to working hours, salary and benefits go hand in hand, and more importantly—the confidence to communicate when you feel underpaid or your benefits package isn’t competitive. 

          Through career coaching sessions, you rediscover your worth as a professional and the value of your experience. A career coach particularly affects the picture by:

          • Guiding on how to negotiate effectively for promotions, salary raises, and other benefits 
          • Looking for training and skills-up courses
          • Fixing unhealthy work-life balance, breaking the burnout cycle, and setting boundaries
          • Boosting self-esteem and handling imposter syndrome

          Working with a career coach in today’s competitive job market gives you an advantage in reaching your full potential and succeeding in your career. They are your pillow of support in times when you aren’t sure what you want to do and how to do it.

          Try self-coaching exercises for your career development 

          At Amy, we strive to give people as many valuable tools from our vast experience as possible.

          We believe that career coaching is here for you as a practical resource for embracing a true calling, whether you are worried that you are not progressing in your career, feeling stuck in a dead-end job, or are underappreciated.

          Check our library of free self-coaching exercises and be ready to enjoy long-lasting results.