When I pulled out my resume to tally up my past roles, I counted eight different companies since graduating college. Over time, some moves were lateral. Others were about finding more opportunity or just a change of pace. In each role, I looked for projects that felt meaningful, places where I could have an impact. But as I now realize, my career growth wasn’t just marked by job changes. The real story of my development happened within each role, moment by moment.

Reflecting on my work history, I started listing out the projects and responsibilities I’d taken on. Each role included smaller, sometimes daily growth jumps that had nothing to do with my job title. In my first job, I might have managed two projects at a time, but in later positions, I was handling up to seventeen. I realized that those projects weren’t just about finishing tasks for a paycheck. They were steps that kept me learning, adjusting, and making decisions that ultimately shaped my career far more than any specific job title ever could.

On average, I was tackling nearly seven projects per job. I wasn’t just growing when I switched companies. Instead, each week and month within those roles added up to substantial growth. I had been building skills, taking risks, leading teams, and becoming more adept through the projects I was given or those I took initiative on. Every project was its own chance to gain new experience, make mistakes, and expand my abilities. This shift in perspective showed me that moving on to a new position wasn’t the only way to experience growth. Growth was happening organically through the work I was already doing.

Revisit Your Daily Tasks to Recognize Career Growth

To dig deeper into this, I took out one of my old project manager notebooks. The daily notes in that book captured hours of tasks, decisions, and checklists from years ago. Looking through it, I noticed patterns in the choices I’d made and the way those decisions shaped the path my work took. Each choice represented a turning point—a chance to make an impact or, in some cases, go off course. It was like watching a movie of my career in slow motion, with each page revealing a mix of victories and missteps.

Here’s what I’ve come to understand: building a career doesn’t require a constant cycle of job-hopping or waiting for promotions. Growth is found in the decisions you make every day and the work you contribute consistently over time. Many people fall into the trap of sitting back and waiting for things to “happen” for them, hoping the next promotion, project, or manager will guide their path. But that’s a passive way to approach your life and work. The real opportunity lies in taking ownership of your career, moment by moment.

Leadership Skills Start with Actions, Not Job Titles

Are you interested in leading a team? Don’t wait for the title of manager to start showing leadership skills. Start now by supporting your colleagues, modeling effective behaviors, and becoming the go-to person for guidance and direction. Want to work on high-impact projects? Master the details of what’s on your desk right now. Organizations often assign important work to those they trust to execute reliably. Make sure you’re building that trust by delivering quality in every task, large or small.

One thing I’ve learned is that people often overestimate the impact of big changes and underestimate the power of incremental improvement. Switching to a new company might feel like a fresh start, but it’s the day-to-day progress in any role that compounds into real growth. I look back and realize that even when I felt stagnant, I was accumulating skills and experience that I would later lean on in new contexts. The more I tackled complex projects, the more I learned how to manage not only my own tasks but also the dynamics of a team and the needs of the organization.

Don’t Wait for Opportunities—Create Them Right Now

This realization doesn’t mean that switching jobs or companies is irrelevant. There are times when it’s necessary to seek new environments that offer the challenges or growth you crave. But if you’re always looking for the next big thing, you might be missing out on what’s right in front of you. Instead of thinking about where you could be if only you had a different role, focus on the actions you can take right now to make your current role more fulfilling.

The best part of taking ownership of your career is that you don’t need anyone’s permission to start. Do you want to have more influence? Begin by understanding the larger goals of your organization, not just your specific job description. Offer solutions, anticipate problems, and consider how your work can help others. Show up each day with the goal of creating value, not just meeting expectations.

Building a Career One Choice at a Time

Career building isn’t a linear path. It’s a series of choices, experiences, and actions that accumulate over time. You’ll encounter challenges and setbacks, and there will be moments when you doubt whether the hard work is worth it. But those are the moments when you’re truly growing. The truth is, we are all creators of our own careers, but only if we choose to be active participants.

Here’s my advice: stop waiting for your career to happen to you. Take control, and start creating the opportunities you want. If you’re waiting for a title, you’re missing the chance to lead by example. If you’re waiting for permission, you’re wasting valuable time. Building the career you want starts today, with the actions you take and the mindset you bring to your work.

Commit to Daily Actions for Career Success

In every project, every meeting, and every small decision, you have the chance to shape your path. Ask yourself—what kind of career are you building today? Are you approaching each task with purpose, aiming to leave a mark? Or are you simply getting by, waiting for something to change? Your career isn’t waiting for you at the next job–it’s already happening, right here, right now.

To those just starting out or feeling stuck, remember: career growth isn’t a one-time leap but a series of small steps. Embrace the work you’re given, find ways to add value, and let your growth emerge naturally from your consistent efforts. Building the career you want doesn’t require waiting for someone else to give you the green light. You can be what you want to be—starting today.

Go ahead, create, lead, and learn. Build the career you want, moment by moment. It’s already within reach.