The Common Career Struggle
Career planning is a lifetime topic, but many professionals view their career like a sprint. They focus on short-term achievements, urgent deadlines, and immediate promotions, but they fail to plan for the decades ahead.
This short-sighted approach often leads to burnout, stagnation, or loss of direction after just a few years. People may realize too late that they have not built the skills, reputation, and adaptability needed for a 40+ year career journey.
The reality is that a career is more like a long-distance marathon, requiring strategy, pacing, and a clear roadmap. Without it, talented people risk running out of energy before reaching their full potential.
Why This Framework Helps
Brian Fetherstonhaugh introduced a model called 151515 Career Planning Model in his book The Long View.
This model reframes a career as a 45-year marathon divided into three distinct 15-year stages.
This structure helps professionals avoid short-term thinking by planning milestones and skills for each phase.
