I have a lot of clients that are at a crossroads and need help with direction. After I conduct an intake of their situation, I learn that most have several ideas of where they would like to go, but are just not sure where to turn. I call this “Career Roundabout Syndrome.”

Where I live in Albany, NY, these traffic circles are popping up everywhere, and for some they are difficult to navigate. There are some distinct metaphors between the real roundabouts and going around and around with your career.

My advice is to approach the roundabout with special precaution. You’re going to be entering with others and have to take them into consideration when you make your move. As you yield to make sure it is safe. You can see that there are many roads that can take you to all sorts of destinations. Each path has its distinct advantages and disadvantages.

As you consider each one, you might have a tendency to talk yourself out of making a choice. The problem is you are having a crisis of choice. There are simply too many career paths to take. When in fact, by choosing not to decide, you have made your choice – indecision. You tend to bat these career ideas around and around your head for weeks, months and sometimes years, but you earnestly struggle with making a commitment. Without clarity Career Roundabout Syndrome creates confusion and keeps you going around in circles.

The solution to exiting the roundabout is to go back to the beginning and the first road to career success: self-assessment. Start by making a top 5 list in each of the following areas: skills, values, interests and personality traits. Discuss it with a professional or someone you trust. Consider how these core priorities match your array of options.

It’s important to narrow down your options from an overwhelming number to perhaps three to five. You do this by carefully researching, networking, gaining experience and then evaluating. I recommend that you list out on a sheet of paper the top strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to this important decision. This way it’s on paper and will help reduce, “head clutter” which can often cloud your decision-making.

I help interrupt my clients’ erratic driving and tell them to pull over. Let’s stop for a second and think. Where is it we really want to go? Let’s look at the map carefully. If necessary, let’s get out and ask for directions. Let’s not go into the roundabout in haste, but rather let’s have a deliberate strategy to get us to where we want to go professionally. And then, let’s spend more time looking through the windshield than the rear view mirror.

Tom’s Tip: Take control of your career and go from passenger to driver.