Career lessons from the Stoics 2: don’t wait – take the next step now

Posted on 20 April 2026 • Career planning

The Stoic philosopher Seneca famously said, “while we wait for life, life passes”. It’s natural to wait until ‘the right moment’; when we’re ‘more qualified’, when work ‘quietens down’, when the time ‘feels right’. Seneca said that the right moment rarely announces itself. Review your goals regularly as they evolve, then use Navigate Your Future to work out your next – small, manageable – step. Then see where it takes you.

Enjoy the clarity that taking action gives you

It’s common to hold back on actions until you’re clear on your goals and detailed plan to achieve them. But most career development works the opposite way. You get clearer because you take action, not before.

A Stoic like Seneca knows that if something feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable, it doesn’t mean it’s the ‘wrong time’ for action. In career planning, small steps that bring clarity might be exploring ideas using labour market information, testing out possibilities through work experience, or just giving yourself permission to learn as you go.

Prioritise progress over perfection

This doesn’t mean rushing into big decisions. It does mean not letting ‘the perfect plan’ get in the way of a small, manageable action that can move you nearer to your goals or open up opportunities.

Volunteering, taking on a new responsibility at work, or getting useful insights from someone in a field you’re curious about — none of these require you to have everything figured out first. Small steps taken now build experience and confidence, and can reveal opportunities you didn’t even know about.