Career Decision Framework

Purpose

Replace career paralysis with confident decision-making. This framework helps you evaluate career options systematically, weighing fulfillment, financial impact, risk, and lifestyle factors to identify the path that's truly right for you.

Career indecision costs more than just time—it erodes confidence and keeps you stuck. This framework cuts through the noise.

When to Use

Use this Skill when you need to:

• Decide between two or more career options
• Evaluate whether to accept a specific job offer
• Determine if you should change careers at all
• Understand what's really driving your dissatisfaction
• Make a decision you can commit to without second-guessing
• Get clarity when you feel paralyzed by options

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Decision Framing

Clarify exactly what decision needs to be made and what options exist.

Ask guiding questions:

• "What decision are you trying to make right now?"
• "What are the options you're considering? List them all."
• "What's your default if you make no decision? (Status quo)"
• "What's driving the urgency? Is there a deadline?"
• "What would a 'great' decision look like in a year?"

Capture:

• The specific decision to be made
• All viable options (including stay/status quo)
• Decision timeline and constraints
• Success criteria

Output Variable: decision_frame

Step 2: Values Clarification

Understand what matters most to guide evaluation criteria.

Ask:

• "What 3-5 things matter most to you in your work?"
• "What are you absolutely NOT willing to sacrifice?"
• "What's missing from your current situation that you need?"
• "When have you felt most fulfilled at work? What made it special?"

Identify and rank:

1. Top 5 career values
2. Non-negotiable requirements
3. Nice-to-haves

Output Variable: values_priorities Context Used: decision_frame

Step 3: Multi-Factor Analysis

Evaluate each option across key dimensions.

Analyze each option across:

Fulfillment Factors (0-10 scale):

• Purpose alignment: Does it connect to something meaningful?
• Skill utilization: Will you use your strengths?
• Growth potential: Room for development and learning?
• Day-to-day enjoyment: Will you like the actual work?

Financial Factors (0-10 scale):

• Immediate compensation: Salary, benefits, total package
• Long-term earning potential: 5-10 year trajectory
• Financial security: Stability, recession-proof, industry health
• Investment required: Training costs, transition expenses

Risk Factors (0-10 scale, lower = riskier):

• Reversibility: Can you go back if it doesn't work?
• Probability of success: Based on your situation
• Worst-case impact: What happens if it fails completely?
• Time to validation: How long before you know if it's working?

Lifestyle Factors (0-10 scale):

• Work-life balance: Hours, flexibility, boundaries
• Location/remote options: Geographic considerations
• Relationship impact: Effect on family, relationships
• Energy impact: Will it energize or drain you?

Output Variable: factor_analysis Context Used: decision_frame, values_priorities

Step 4: Fear vs. Wisdom Check

Distinguish between legitimate concerns and fear-based resistance.

For concerns about each option, ask:

• "Is this a realistic risk or a catastrophic fantasy?"
• "What evidence do I have for this concern?"
• "Am I avoiding this because it's wrong for me, or because it's scary?"
• "What would I advise a friend in this situation?"

Categorize concerns:

• Legitimate wisdom: Real risks to plan for
• Fear-based resistance: Discomfort to push through
• Solvable problems: Challenges with solutions

Output Variable: fear_wisdom_analysis Context Used: factor_analysis

Step 5: Scenario Projection

Imagine each path forward 1, 3, and 5 years out.

For each option, project:

• 1 year from now: What does daily life look like?
• 3 years from now: Where have you grown? What's possible?
• 5 years from now: What's your overall life trajectory?

Ask:

• "Which scenario would you regret NOT pursuing?"
• "Which future self would you be most proud of?"
• "In which scenario do you feel most alive?"

Output Variable: scenario_projections Context Used: factor_analysis

Step 6: Generate Final Framework

Create a comprehensive decision analysis document.

Create a document titled "Career Decision Framework" with:

Section 1: Decision Summary

• Decision being made
• Options evaluated
• Key criteria

Section 2: Values Alignment Matrix How each option scores against your values.

Section 3: Multi-Factor Scorecard Detailed scores across all factors with total.

Section 4: Fear vs. Wisdom Analysis Legitimate concerns vs. fear-based resistance.

Section 5: Scenario Projections Future visualization for each path.

Section 6: Recommendation Based on the analysis, the recommended path with rationale.

Section 7: Decision Commitment Plan How to move forward with confidence.

Context Used: All previous steps

Output Format

Career Decision Framework

# Career Decision Framework for [Name]
Created: [Date]

## Decision Summary
**Decision:** [What you're deciding]
**Options:**
1. [Option A]
2. [Option B]
3. [Status Quo]
**Decision Deadline:** [Date if applicable]
**Success Criteria:** [What a good decision looks like]

## Values Alignment Matrix

| Value | Weight | Option A | Option B | Status Quo |
|-------|--------|----------|----------|------------|
| [value] | [1-5] | [score] | [score] | [score] |
| WEIGHTED TOTAL | | [total] | [total] | [total] |

## Multi-Factor Scorecard

### Option A: [Name]

| Category | Factor | Score (0-10) | Notes |
|----------|--------|--------------|-------|
| Fulfillment | Purpose alignment | [X] | [note] |
| Fulfillment | Skill utilization | [X] | [note] |
| Financial | Compensation | [X] | [note] |
| Risk | Reversibility | [X] | [note] |
| Lifestyle | Work-life balance | [X] | [note] |
| **TOTAL** | | **[sum]** | |

### Option B: [Name]
[Same format]

## Fear vs. Wisdom Analysis

### Option A Concerns
| Concern | Type | How to Address |
|---------|------|----------------|
| [concern] | Legitimate/Fear-based | [action] |

### Option B Concerns
[Same format]

## Scenario Projections

### Option A: 1/3/5 Year View
**1 Year:** [description]
**3 Years:** [description]
**5 Years:** [description]
**Regret Risk:** [Low/Medium/High]

### Option B: 1/3/5 Year View
[Same format]

## Recommendation

Based on this analysis, **[Option X]** emerges as the strongest choice because:
1. [Reason 1]
2. [Reason 2]
3. [Reason 3]

**Confidence Level:** [X/10]
**Key Risk to Monitor:** [risk]

## Decision Commitment Plan

To move forward with confidence:
1. [Immediate action]
2. [Within 1 week]
3. [Within 1 month]

**Accountability:** Share this decision with [who] by [when].

Tools

• basile_create_document - Creates the Framework document in user's space

Example

Input: "I'm torn between staying in my corporate job with good pay but no fulfillment, or leaving to start a consulting business with more risk but more meaning."

Output: A Career Decision Framework showing:

• Values analysis revealing autonomy and impact outweigh security
• Multi-factor scorecard with Corporate at 58/100 and Consulting at 72/100
• Fear analysis: "What if I fail?" classified as fear-based resistance with mitigation plan
• Scenario projection showing consulting path leads to more pride in 5 years
• Recommendation for consulting with phased transition plan