There are many schools of thought about career planning. This template isn’t the penultimate guide. It’s just what helps me think through my career, ambitions, dreams, and goals, while making sure my plan is actionable and exciting. What is it? A series of templates and exercises to discover, explore, and plan career and job growth. Who is this for? People looking to level up or change careers, especially people who feel like they need more structure to career planning. Why should I use it? These templates and exercises will help you define meaningful career objectives and actionable steps to achieve those objectives. How should I use it? Whenever you feel stuck or inspired, use these templates to structure new ideas and get rid of things holding you back. When should I use it? I use these exercises about once a quarter, because I’m constantly learning more about my passions and goals. I also use it when I get derailed professionally and personally. Why not have a structure to help you navigate those choppy waters when sh*t happens?

1. 5 YEAR CAREER
PLANNING TEMPLATE
JON CHANG | JONCHANG.CO

2. ABSTRACT AND INSTRUCTIONS
There are many schools of thought about career planning. This template isn’t the penultimate guide. It’s just what helps me
think through my career, ambitions, dreams, and goals, while making sure my plan is actionable and exciting.
WHAT IS IT?
A series of templates and exercises to discover, explore, and plan career and job growth.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
People looking to level up or change careers, especially people who feel like they need more structure to career planning.
WHY SHOULD I USE IT?
These templates and exercises will help you define meaningful career objectives and actionable steps to achieve those
objectives.
HOW SHOULD I USE IT?
Whenever you feel stuck or inspired, use these templates to structure new ideas and get rid of things holding you back.
WHEN SHOULD I USE IT?
I use these exercises about once a quarter, because I’m constantly learning more about my passions and goals. I also use it
when I get derailed professionally and personally. Why not have a structure to help you navigate those choppy waters when
sh*t happens?

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
This template is meant to be completed in the order the slides are presented. HOWEVER, use this however you want.
Tear it apart, reconstruct it, and make it your own. Not every exercise will be highly impactful for your needs, but
please do attempt each one to get a holistic career planning experience. Section 1 establishes the high level
framework and components for long-term granular planning. Ideate the big items, then break those items into small,
actionable parts.
SECTION 1: MACRO
Slide 5: Start with your passions.
Slide 6: Perceptually great. Be great at 2 things.
Slide 7: Top objectives and priorities.
Slide 8: Focus per year.
Slide 9: Needs, Wants, Desires, Fears.
Slide 10: Emotional Quotient Checklist.
SECTION 2: MICRO
Slide 12: 2019 priorities.
Slide 13: Focus per quarter, part 1.
Slide 14: Focus per quarter, part 2.
Slide 15: Q2 priorities.
Slide 16: Q3 priorities.
Slide 17: Q4 priorities.
*REPEAT THIS SECTION FOR EACH YEAR. IT CURRENTLY ONLY LISTS 1 YEAR.

4. MACRO
ZOOM OUT BEFORE ZOOMING IN

5. START WITH PASSIONS
At the highest level, understand your passions and skills to determine what drives and motivates you, even if these
passions won’t be your ultimate career. Ignoring your passions when career planning results in an unfulfilling plan.
Primary Skill Secondary Skill Tertiary Skill Example Career or Job
Passion 1
Passion 2
Passion 3
5

6. Value proposition 1: [name]
Description:
Value proposition 2: [name]
Description:
Valueprop1
Value prop 2
PERCEPTUALLY GREAT: BE THE BEST AT TWO THINGS
What do you want to be known for? What are the two things you’ll be best at? Place others who are currently great
at those things onto the map. Follow them. Learn from them. Get to know them. They aren’t enemies; they’re allies.
6
YOU!
Example perceptual maps

7. This can be a trap and
limit overall growth
Anything in this box
is a waste of time
Effort and resources
Careerimpact
5 YEAR PLAN: TOP OBJECTIVE AND PRIORITIES
Using the two value propositions from the previous exercise, create a list of objectives and priorities that will get you
there. What are the components and incremental success factors that will make you great at two things?
Objective 1
- Key result 1:
- Key result 2:
- Key result 3:
Objective 2
- Key result 1:
- Key result 2:
- Key result 3:
Objective 3
- Key result 1:
- Key result 2:
- Key result 3:
7Explanation of Objectives and Key Results

8. 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Start
Expand
Continue
Stop
5 YEAR PLAN: FOCUS PER YEAR
Use the top objectives and priorities from the previous slide here. Be agile. It’s okay to start, stop, expand, and
continue projects, especially with proper planning and flexibility.
8

9. Needs Desires
Wants Fears
NEEDS, DESIRES, WANTS, AND FEARS
Ambition and drive aren’t enough to be successful. Comprehensively understanding what drives you and why you
work will help you understand how to reach your goals. Here’s an overview of the four terms.
9

10. EMOTIONAL QUOTIENT CHECKLIST
For each category and sub category, circle your current level (1 = just starting, 5 = I got this!). Descriptions for each sub
category can be found here.
Self-awareness Self-regulation Motivation Empathy Social Skills
Emotional Awareness
1 2 3 4 5
Self-control
1 2 3 4 5
Achievement
1 2 3 4 5
Self orientation
1 2 3 4 5
Influence
1 2 3 4 5
Self-confidence
1 2 3 4 5
Trustworthiness
1 2 3 4 5
Commitment
1 2 3 4 5
Developing others
1 2 3 4 5
Communication
1 2 3 4 5
Conscientiousness
1 2 3 4 5
Initiative
1 2 3 4 5
Leveraging diversity
1 2 3 4 5
Leadership
1 2 3 4 5
Adaptability
1 2 3 4 5
Optimism
1 2 3 4 5
Political awareness
1 2 3 4 5
Change catalyst
1 2 3 4 5
Innovation
1 2 3 4 5
Understanding others
1 2 3 4 5
Conflict management
1 2 3 4 5
Building bonds
1 2 3 4 5
Collaboration and cooperation
1 2 3 4 5
Team capabilities
1 2 3 4 5
10

11. MICRO
SMALL, ACTIONABLE COMPONENTS
*REPEAT THIS SECTION FOR EACH YEAR. IT CURRENTLY ONLY LISTS 1 YEAR.

12. This can be a trap and
limit overall growth
Anything in this box
is a waste of time
Effort and resources
Careerimpact
2019 PRIORITIES
Using the two value propositions from the Macro perceptual exercise, create a list of objectives and priorities that
will get you there in 2019. What are the components and incremental success factors that will make you great?
12
Objective 1
- Key result 1:
- Key result 2:
- Key result 3:
Objective 2
- Key result 1:
- Key result 2:
- Key result 3:
Objective 3
- Key result 1:
- Key result 2:
- Key result 3:
Explanation of Objectives and Key Results

13. 2019 TIMELINE: FOCUS PER QUARTER, PART 1
Use the top objectives and priorities from the previous slide here. Be agile. It’s okay to start, stop, expand, and
continue projects, especially with proper planning and flexibility.
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Start
Expand
Continue
Stop
13

14. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
2019 TIMELINE: FOCUS PER QUARTER, PART 2
Keep this for your records. I have a printed version of this in my home office. Just a nice reminder to keep me on
track. Always asking myself: “Are today’s tasks going to help me accomplish my big three quarterly objectives?”
14
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3

15. This can be a trap and
limit overall growth
Anything in this box
is a waste of time
Effort and resources
Careerimpact
Q2 2019 PRIORITIES
Now let’s break down objectives by quarter. These quarterly priorities are meant to scaffold on top of each other. The
objectives listed in Q2 should directly lead to the objectives in Q3.
15
Objective 1
- Key result:
Objective 2
- Key result:
Objective 3
- Key result:
Objective 4
- Key result:
Objective 5
- Key result:
Explanation of Objectives and Key Results

16. This can be a trap and
limit overall growth
Anything in this box
is a waste of time
Effort and resources
Careerimpact
Q3 2019 PRIORITIES
Now let’s break down objectives by quarter. These quarterly priorities are meant to scaffold on top of each other. The
objectives listed in Q3 should directly lead to the objectives in Q4.
16
Objective 1
- Key result:
Objective 2
- Key result:
Objective 3
- Key result:
Objective 4
- Key result:
Objective 5
- Key result:
Explanation of Objectives and Key Results

17. This can be a trap and
limit overall growth
Anything in this box
is a waste of time
Effort and resources
Careerimpact
Q4 2019 PRIORITIES
Now let’s break down objectives by quarter. These quarterly priorities are meant to scaffold on top of each other. The
objectives listed in Q4 should directly lead to the objectives into the next year.
17
Objective 1
- Key result:
Objective 2
- Key result:
Objective 3
- Key result:
Objective 4
- Key result:
Objective 5
- Key result:
Explanation of Objectives and Key Results

18. CONCLUSION
CAREER PLANNING IS EXCITING AND
STRESSFUL. YOU GOT THIS.
YOU’RE A STUNNER.
BREATHE. LET’S GO.