The Biggest Career Myth: That There’s a ‘Right’ Path

There’s a common belief that career success follows a straight, upward path—climbing the corporate ladder, securing predictable promotions, and checking off a series of well-defined milestones. But the truth? The most fulfilling and successful careers are rarely linear.

Some of the most accomplished professionals have taken detours, lateral moves, career breaks, and unexpected pivots. Some have stepped away from traditional roles to freelance, start businesses, or explore new industries. Growth doesn’t always look like a direct climb—sometimes, it looks like exploration, reinvention, and strategic shifts that don’t make sense on paper but make perfect sense for you.

The pressure to follow a “traditional” path can make deviations feel like failures, but the reality is that every career move—whether sideways, backward, or unconventional—can contribute to long-term success. What matters isn’t the order in which things happen but whether your choices align with your skills, values, and long-term aspirations.

If you ever feel like you’re “falling behind” because your career isn’t following a predictable trajectory, remind yourself: There’s no one right path—only the right path for you. Success isn’t about following a formula. It’s about making moves that align with what excites, challenges, and fulfills you—even if they don’t fit someone else’s version of progress.