Merly Hartnett

SMART goals are a great start, but sustainable success requires more. Learn how to overcome obstacles, build support, and create career goals that work in real life.

We've all been asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" But in a world shaped by AI, automation and constant change, is it still the right question? In this blog post, I explore why focusing on how you want to feel rather than predicting your future job title can help you build a more meaningful, sustainable and fulfilling career.

One of the hardest career skills you'll ever learn isn't networking, interviewing or building confidence, it's saying no. Every exciting opportunity comes with a hidden trade-off: your time, energy and attention. In this article, I share a personal lesson about delayed gratification, shiny object syndrome, and why protecting your priorities is essential if you want to build a career that's not only successful, but sustainable.