Realistic Career Goals for 2026 When the Future Feels Uncertain

Setting career goals for 2026 feels different. The job market is unpredictable, roles are changing fast, and many professionals feel stuck between planning ahead and staying flexible.

In this bonus episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre explains how to set career goals you can actually control, even when the future feels uncertain. Instead of chasing titles or timelines, she walks through how to focus on skills, clarity, decision making, and adaptability.

In this episode, you will learn:
-Why traditional career goal setting no longer works
-What types of career goals you can control in any market
-How to set goals that adapt as conditions change
-Why skill building matters more than titles in 2026
-How to plan without pressure or hype

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Timestamps:
00:00 Why do career goals for 2026 feel harder than previous years?
05:53 What does “realistic career goals” actually mean right now?
06:58 Is “I’m bored” a real reason to change jobs, or a signal to clarify?
08:52 What are stretch opportunities, and how do they build career momentum?
10:46 Should you still set big career goals in 2026, or is that risky?
13:52 What should you consider before setting career goals in an unpredictable market?
15:54 How do you assess company stability before setting internal career goals?
17:36 What do you want more of in your work life, and what does that reveal?
20:01 Which skills should you focus on in 2026 to stay relevant and promotable?
23:09 What does visibility mean at work, and how do you build it intentionally?
27:46 What if you feel stuck in your career, how do you diagnose the real issue?
31:04 What career goals make sense if you are unemployed or job searching?
35:52 How do you keep long-term “dream goals” without getting overwhelmed?
38:18 What derails career goals most often, and how do you plan for it?
41:23 What are the 3 most realistic career goals to carry into 2026?