If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to plan your next career move, you’re not alone.
Many first responders reflect deeply on their values, wellbeing, and identity, but then freeze when it comes to decision-making. Not because they’re unmotivated, but because they’re unclear about what to optimise for.
Should I be chasing progression? More stability? Less pressure? A better fit?
The answer depends on what you need right now. And that starts with understanding this simple truth:
👉 You can’t map a career direction without first knowing what success means to you right now.
🔍 What Does “Optimising” Even Mean?
When we say “optimising,” we’re talking about what you’re intentionally prioritising in your next career decision.
In any moment, you can design your career to prioritise:
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⚖️ Balance (time, flexibility, predictability)
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📈 Growth (learning, new roles, skill-building)
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🌱 Recovery (healing, reducing load, space to reset)
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🎯 Purpose (alignment, impact, contribution)
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🛠 Security (structure, income, benefits, stability)
Trying to optimise for all of them at once usually leads to frustration and indecision.
But when you choose one or two that matter most in this season, everything gets clearer.
🧭 How to Discover What You’re Optimising For
Here are three quick reflection exercises to help clarify what you need your next move to give you:
1. 🔄 The “What’s Missing” Scan
Ask yourself:
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What feels lacking in my current role or routine?
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What’s draining my energy the most right now?
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What am I craving, even if I haven’t admitted it out loud?
➡️ These answers often reveal the gap between your current state and what you wish you were optimising for.
2. 🪞 The “Best Moment” Reflection
Think back to a time in the past year where you felt fulfilled or energised at work or in life. Ask:
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What made that moment feel right?
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Was it who I was helping, how I was working, or how I felt in myself?
➡️ This points toward the conditions where you thrive, which is what you should be aiming to rebuild more of.
3. 🎯 The “Gut Check” Test
When you think about your options or next steps, which ones feel:
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Most exciting—even if they feel a little scary?
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Most peaceful—even if they seem less impressive?
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Most aligned—even if they don’t follow a traditional path?
➡️ Your gut often knows what your head is trying to rationalise. Follow it.
🗺️ How This Helps You Plan
Once you identify what you’re optimising for, you can:
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Filter opportunities more clearly (e.g. “This job sounds good, but doesn’t offer the balance I need”)
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Make decisions faster, with less overthinking
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Set boundaries that protect your progress (e.g. “No to more shifts right now—yes to building long-term capacity”)
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Build confidence that your path reflects you, not just what others expect
💬 What Your Thoughts May Look Like
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“After burnout, I realised I wasn’t chasing rank, I was chasing recovery. So I moved to part-time and started therapy. That was my growth.”
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“I thought I wanted a promotion, but what I really wanted was impact, so I shifted into education.”
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“I stopped saying yes to more overtime because I realised I was optimising for stability, not pressure.”
✅ Final Takeaway: Clarity Starts with What You’re Optimising For
You don’t have to chase what everyone else is chasing.
You just need to get honest about what you need and what you're building toward right now.
Because once you know what you’re optimising for, your next move isn’t a gamble. It’s aligned.
