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Sarah Mitchell — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor

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How to Handle Build Your Future Step by Step

When build your future leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Building Your Career

Join a professional association.

Every field has professional associations. Each field is different. Dues are required. But for students and young professionals, they're often low.

Every field has professional associations.
Each field is different.
Dues are required.
But for students and young professionals, they're often low.
Every field has professional associations.

Move up the ladder.

Make a list of objectives and work toward achieving them. Be its project manager or editor-in-chief. Build on your career by positioning yourself for a successful future.

Make a list of objectives and work toward achieving them.
Be its project manager or editor-in-chief.
Build on your career by positioning yourself for a successful future.
Make a list of objectives and work toward achieving them.
Be its project manager or editor-in-chief.

Consider making a lateral move when the time is right.

A lateral move within your company or to a new organization can help your career. It gives you the chance to gain additional skills and knowledge. It can help prevent the restlessness and stagnation that sometimes accompanies too much time spent in the same work environment. There are many benefits to a lateral move.

A lateral move within your company or to a new organization can help your career.
It gives you the chance to gain additional skills and knowledge.
It can help prevent the restlessness and stagnation that sometimes accompanies too much time spent in the same work environment.
There are many benefits to a lateral move.
A lateral move within your company or to a new organization can help your career.

Part 2

Building Financial Stability

Set up a budget that’s realistic and will allow you to follow it consistently.

Make a budget that can absorb the unexpected. A budget is a work in progress. Your financial situation will constantly change and if your budget has the flexibility to accommodate plenty of variables you can save, pay off debt and invest to make your money grow.

Make a budget that can absorb the unexpected.
A budget is a work in progress.
Your financial situation will constantly change and if your budget has the flexibility to accommodate plenty of variables you can save, pay off debt and invest to make your money grow.
Make a budget that can absorb the unexpected.
A budget is a work in progress.

Reduce credit card debt.

Credit cards place you at one remove from your purchases. The process insulates you from your spending because you’re using a card (and not money) and don't have concrete "proof" that you're actually spending money. Credit card debt can accumulate quickly.

Credit cards place you at one remove from your purchases.
The process insulates you from your spending because you’re using a card (and not money) and don't have concrete "proof" that you're actually spending money.
Credit card debt can accumulate quickly.
Credit cards place you at one remove from your purchases.
The process insulates you from your spending because you’re using a card (and not money) and don't have concrete "proof" that you're actually spending money.

Grow your money by investing wisely.

You can use your budget surplus to invest. Invest regularly over time in a diversity of places.

You can use your budget surplus to invest.
Invest regularly over time in a diversity of places.
You can use your budget surplus to invest.
Invest regularly over time in a diversity of places.
You can use your budget surplus to invest.

Part 3

Building Your Personal Life

Make time for your family.

What will you remember when you grow older? Will it be nailing the Krimsley account? Or will it be seeing Ben ride a bicycle for the first time? Make a conscious effort to separate work and family time and be “all in” with your family when you’re together.

What will you remember when you grow older?
Will it be nailing the Krimsley account?
Or will it be seeing Ben ride a bicycle for the first time?
Make a conscious effort to separate work and family time and be “all in” with your family when you’re together.
What will you remember when you grow older?

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