5 tips to create a future-proof career strategy this Autumn

17 Sept

Here we are, dear marketing friends.

At the fork in the road: half the world is diving headfirst into the tunnel that leads straight to the final days of 2025, while the other half is clinging to those last summer and holiday vibes, working hard at not being worked over. 🫠

Whichever camp you’re in, there’s no right or wrong - but as your dedicated career strategist, I feel it’s my duty to invite you to be intentional about it.

And with intention comes a plan. 🤓

Not just any plan - a 5-tip plan to create a future-proof career strategy this Autumn. Don’t worry, it’s straightforward, easy to follow, and designed to help you make the most of the next four months, ASAP. I hope you are as ready as I am for it!

1. take stock 👀 (but like, really)

Before you sprint (or chill) ahead, pause. Take a moment to check in with yourself and your career. Ask yourself:

👌 What’s working well?

🪫 What drains me more than it should?

✨ Which skills are showing off their sparkle, and which are gathering dust?

Think of it like spring cleaning, but for your professional self. Make a list, do a little SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), or even just a simple pros-and-cons sheet.

The goal isn’t to overthink it - just get a clear sense of where you are. Because a strategy built on assumptions is like trying to run a marathon blindfolded. Spoiler alert: it won’t end well. 🙃

💡 Why this matters: Regular self-reflection can boost personal productivity by up to 23% (Harvard Business School)

2. define your north star 🔭

Here’s where most people stumble - they know what they do, how to do it, but not why they’re doing it. And that’s a problem if you want a future-proof career.

Ask yourself: Where do I want to be in 3–5 years? Think beyond job titles (actually, forget about them!). Consider instead:

🏝️ Lifestyle: Where do you want to live, how much freedom do you want, what kind of work-life balance is realistic for you?

💥 Impact: What difference do you want to make in your team, company, or industry?

🪴 Growth: Which skills or experiences excite you enough to invest time in mastering them?

Your North Star doesn’t have to be carved in stone. It can shift, flex, and evolve - but having even a rough direction will make it easier to say “yes” to the right opportunities and “no” to the ones that don’t serve you.

💡 Why this matters: Visualisation of goals can improve performance by up to 23% (University of Chicago)

3. Map out the trends 🏄

Future-proofing isn’t just about you - it’s about the world around you. Industries change fast, and marketing is no exception.

Spend some time identifying:

Emerging tools and platforms (AI, data analytics, new social channels & features)
Skills that are becoming non-negotiable
Trends that align with your strengths and interests

Follow thought leaders, subscribe to newsletters, skim reports. Even 15 minutes a day can give you a huge leg up. And that's where being a PLM member can make all of the difference!

Here’s the trick: don’t chase every shiny new trend. Focus on the ones that make sense for your career trajectory (don't hesitate to circle back to #1 and #2 above as often as you need). The goal is to stay relevant without getting lost in a sea of fads.

💡 Why this matters: 37% of jobs could be affected by AI in the next decade, highlighting the need to align skills with emerging trends (McKinsey)

4. Build your learning plan 🧠

Once you know what skills and trends matter, it’s time to put together a concrete plan to level up. Ask yourself:

⌛ Which skills do I need to strengthen immediately?

📆 What’s realistic to learn over the next 4 months?

🚒 How can I learn without burning out?

Your learning plan could include:

Online courses or workshops
Mentorship or peer learning
On-the-job projects that push your boundaries

Small, consistent wins beat big, sporadic efforts every time. Track progress with mini-milestones so you can celebrate growth and adjust as needed. (#nowintoobigorsmall)

💡 Why this matters: 72% of adults say learning new skills makes them feel more confident and fulfilled (Pew Research Center)

5. Create your actionable career plan 🎯

Here’s where all the reflection and planning pay off - you turn intention into action.

Break your North Star into digestible steps:

✔️ Quarterly Goals: What do you want to achieve by the end of the year?

✔️ Monthly Checkpoints: What small actions get you closer to your goals?

✔️ Weekly Actions: What concrete steps can you take this week to move forward?

Pro tip: Make accountability your friend. Share your plan with a mentor, colleague, or even a friend. Someone who can nudge you when your “Autumn momentum” dips.

Remember, a career map isn’t about rigid rules. It’s a living document that grows and shifts with you. The point is to move forward intentionally, not to paralyse yourself with overplanning.

💡 Why this matters: People who track their goals weekly are 33% more likely to achieve them (Dominican University study)

Food for thought.

You just mapped out 5 ways to create a career strategy that can carry you through Autumn (and beyond) - big congrats, that’s intentional living in action. 🙌

But remember, a successful career strategy isn’t a “write once, never look again” kind of thing. It needs revisiting, tweaking, and ways to keep yourself accountable.

So here are a few prompts to chew on before you dive back into your day:

🧭 Which of the 5 tips feels most urgent for you right now - and why?
📍 Can you schedule a 30-minute check-in with yourself before the month ends to review progress?
🔑 If your “North Star” feels a bit blurry, what’s one experiment you could try this month to get clearer?
👋 Who’s one person you could share your Autumn plan with, so you don’t have to go it alone?

As per usual, I’m only a call away if you need to brainstorm this a little bit further and/or talk it out with a friendly yet completely impartial human!

Here's to your career success & happiness - let's make the most out of the next 4 months! 🍂🤘