Your questions are broad and the answers are probably hard to provide based on what little I know about you. I would recommend reading everything I have shared in this book, because different parts of your question get attention in different chapters.

But a few comments:

- Obviously I don’t really recommend corporate management careers in this book, but I do acknowledge some people feel drawn to these environments. Some chapters address how best to function in this setting. The key is to make sure you brand yourself as an expert in your industry, perhaps based on more speaking engagements or books or even a blog – this gives more job security than just helping one company grow.

- Another key is to make sure you save some money on the side and start putting it into income generating assets of some kind.

- A third key may be to try to maintain some level of consulting work in your specialization as opposed to just working full time for one employer. This broadens your expertise and provides more options to turn to if/when you hit a dead end with your main job commitment.

There is no one boilerplate strategy that works in all cases, but having a big name reputation in your field, consulting clients on the side, and assets generating income for you and building up some cash reserves – it’s hard to question these tactics. That’s why I always say put more faith and attention in your own plan and less faith in particular employers.

I hope that helps.

- Jon Reed -

If you have other articles that would address the following topic, please advise:

I used to be in positions to make significant contributions to major decisions but failed to do what I needed to do to stay in that realm. How can I get back to the level where I function best?

Specifically, I was in strategic communications for major corporations and high level elected officials.

Thanks!