“Life is like a stream.   Go with the flow and you may be buffeted by its rocks, brought down by its whirlpools and caught up by its rapids.  But, ultimately, when you reach the great sea you will have experienced everything life has to offer.

On the other hand, you may cling to its banks and always be safe.   But you will never cry with all your tears and never laugh with all your laughter.”

According to Wikipedia, Taoism “refers to a variety of related philosophical and religious traditions that have influenced Eastern Asia for more than two millennia”.  

The word Tao can be literally translated as “path” or “way” [of life].    So it shares its meaning with “career” if that word is taken back to its roots.    However, whilst this homily is one of those interesting “comfort props” that seem to occur in many philosophies,   I’m not sure just relying on “the flow” is the best plan as far as your career is concerned.  My experience tells me it is a good idea to give some thought to where you would like to be in, say, three years time and to how you are going to get there.

Where I do agree with this though is that clinging to the banks is not a good idea.   I’ve interviewed people who have indeed clung to the banks, or put another way, stayed in their comfort zone until something traumatic, like redundancy, have happened.   They then try to convince people recruiters they have good experience gained over 20 years.   Unfortunately, they do not.   They have one year’s experience repeated 20 times.   Even more unfortunately they then find the world has moved on, leaving them behind and because their skills are out of date and no longer wanted in the market place.

So, if you don’t want that to happen to you, at the very least you should put some shape around where you would like to be in a few years time.   Then set out a plan to develop the skills and expertise you will need to get you there.