{
  "id": 5310904,
  "title": "Karriere: „Es ist in Ordnung, kein Karriereziel zu haben“",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/karriere-es-ist-in-ordnung-kein-karriereziel-zu-haben",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-03T11:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/management/neurowissenschaftlerin-es-ist-in-ordnung-kein-karriereziel-zu-haben/100248072.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "In a world filled with linear expectations and pre-defined success paths, a growing body of research suggests that an experimental approach to life and career might be more fruitful. <source>Neuroscientist and author of a book on success</source> asserts that there is no single scientific recipe for success; instead, it is the process of experimentation that drives growth and achievement. The \"perception-action cycle\" is the key to learning, where the brain first perceives information from the environment, predicts outcomes, and learns from the results, regardless of whether they are favorable or not. This experimental mindset encourages continuous growth, irrespective of the uncertainty that often accompanies it.\n\nHowever, this approach is often hindered by the fear of uncertainty, leading people to set linear goals and follow a pre-determined success recipe. This can hinder development, growth, and self-discovery. Furthermore, many successful individuals looking back on their lives feel that their achievements were not truly meaningful to them. The question then arises: does success mean achieving what society defines as success, or is it the personal success one desires?\n\nFor the author, success is defined by creating a life that aligns with one's inner self, where working on one's passions brings joy and a sense of fulfillment. This view challenges the conventional wisdom of following one's passions and dreams, as these are often influenced by external pressures or inspirations. The author criticizes these clichéd suggestions, arguing that they are still linear in nature and assume that individuals already know what their success looks like. In contrast, an experimental approach allows for the possibility of changing career paths without the pressure of knowing the ultimate destination.\n\nTo better understand her perspective, the author provides an example of the difference between linear and experimental thinking. A linear goal could be \"I will run a marathon in less than two hours.\" An experimental approach would involve a simple test, such as \"I will run for 30 minutes every day for ten days and see what happens.\" This type of experiment follows the same schema: choose a course of action to test, set a trial period, and then analyze the results. This process allows for a deeper understanding of what works best for an individual, rather than being shackled by a large goal. Ultimately, the idea is to experiment with small changes, learn from the results, and then integrate these insights into daily life.",
  "summary": "Die Londoner Neurowissenschaftlerin Anne-Laure Le Cunff forscht über den Weg zu Erfolg und mehr Produktivität. Statt sich große Ziele zu setzen, rät sie zu einer anderen Strategie.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Handelsblatt",
        "title": "Career: \"It's okay to not have a career goal\"",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/karriere-es-ist-in-ordnung-kein-karriereziel-zu-haben",
        "published": "2026-08-29T05:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}