How to Gain Career Clarity with the ALIGN Framework
Transitions can feel overwhelming, whether you’re navigating a career shift, stepping into a new role, or rethinking your purpose. It’s easy to feel stuck, unsure of the next step, or caught in a cycle of self-doubt.
At Good Intent, we believe that clarity isn’t something you stumble upon—it’s something you create. That’s where the ALIGN Framework comes in: a step-by-step guide to help you reflect, realign, and take actionable steps toward meaningful career growth.
Here’s how you can use ALIGN to make sense of your career journey, whether you’re working through it solo or partnering with a coach.
Step 1: Assess
The first step is to understand where you are. Think of this as your career “inventory.” What’s working? What’s not?
Reflection Prompts:
• What’s going well in your current role or situation?
• What feels most challenging or unfulfilling right now?
• If nothing changes in the next year, how will you feel?
This step helps you uncover what’s holding you back and where your opportunities lie.
Step 2: Locate
Transitions often feel daunting because we lose touch with our core values and strengths. This step is about reconnecting with what truly matters to you.
Reflection Prompts:
• What are your top non-negotiables in a career (e.g., flexibility, growth, or impact)?
• Think of a time when you felt most energized or proud in your career. What made it meaningful?
• What skills or strengths do you enjoy using most?
By understanding your values and strengths, you create a personal compass to guide your decisions.
Step 3: Imagine
Here’s where you dream big. Remove limitations, quiet the “what-ifs,” and focus on possibilities.
Reflection Prompts:
• What does your ideal career look like in 3–5 years?
• What kind of impact would you like to make through your work?
• What’s one role, industry, or opportunity you’re curious about exploring?
A clear vision gives you something to aim for, even if it feels distant or ambitious.
Step 4: Generate
Vision without action can leave you feeling stuck. This step is about breaking your big ideas into smaller, achievable steps.
Reflection Prompts:
• What’s one small step you could take today to move closer to your goals?
• Who in your network could offer guidance or insight?
• What skills or experiences do you need to develop for your next chapter?
Action builds momentum. Even one email, one conversation, or one hour of skill-building can make a difference.
Step 5: Navigate
Transitions rarely go as planned, and that’s okay. This step is about building resilience and flexibility to stay aligned with your goals.
Reflection Prompts:
• What challenges might arise, and how can you handle them?
• How have you successfully overcome obstacles in the past?
• What routines or habits will help you stay focused and motivated?
The key is to stay adaptable and give yourself permission to revise your plans as you grow.
The Power of ALIGN
The ALIGN Framework works because it’s simple, adaptable, and focused on you. It’s not about following a prescribed path but creating one that aligns with your values and purpose.
Whether you’re doing this work on your own or with the support of a coach, ALIGN helps you clarify where you’re going—and how to get there.
Start Your Journey
Ready to take the first step? Use the prompts above as a self-reflection tool or bring them to your next coaching session. If you’d like personalized guidance, we’d love to help you work through ALIGN and design your next chapter with purpose and intention.
Let’s create your future—one step at a time.
