Welcome!
This is the first official entry in The Ledger. It is not a list of tips. It is a blueprint for a system.
Most career advice fails because it addresses the wrong problem. It tries to answer the question, "What should I do?" This is an unanswerable question. It demands certainty in a world that offers none.
The right question is: "How do I make a good decision in the face of uncertainty?"
This requires a system. A reliable process for navigating the fog of career change. Today, I am giving you that system.
The Two Data Points That Matter
When you are exploring a new career path, there are only two data points that truly matter:
Internal Energy: How does the work make you feel?
External Traction: How does the world respond to your work?
Most people focus on one or the other. The "follow your passion" crowd focuses only on Internal Energy. The "be practical" crowd focuses only on External Traction.
Both are wrong. You need both. And you need a system for analyzing them.
The Energy-Evidence Matrix
The Energy-Evidence Matrix is a 2x2 grid designed to help you make evidence-based career decisions. It is the core of my decision-making process, and it has saved me from countless hours of indecision.
The Axes:
Y-Axis (Vertical): Internal Energy (from Low to High)
X-Axis (Horizontal): External Traction (from Low to High)
These two axes create four quadrants. After running a 30-Day Experiment in a new field, you will plot your results in one of these quadrants. The quadrant you land in tells you your next move.
^
|
High +-----------------+-----------------+
Energy | | |
| Passionate | Green Light |
| Hobby | |
| | |
+-----------------+-----------------+
| | |
| Dead End | Golden Handcuffs|
| | |
| | |
Low +-----------------+-----------------+
------------------------------------->
Low High
External Traction
The Four Quadrants
1. The Dead End (Low Energy, Low Traction)
This is the easiest quadrant to analyze. You didn't enjoy the work, and the world didn't respond to it. This is a clear signal to pivot.
Example: You spend 30 days learning to code, but you hate every minute of it, and the simple app you build doesn't work.
The Decision: Pivot. Abandon this path with confidence. The experiment was a success because it generated clear data. You have saved yourself years of misery.
2. The Golden Handcuffs (Low Energy, High Traction)
This is the most dangerous quadrant. You don't enjoy the work, but you're good at it, and people are willing to pay you for it. This is how people end up in successful but unfulfilling careers.
Example: You spend 30 days building websites for local businesses. You find the work boring, but you land three clients easily.
The Decision: Pivot. This is a trap. The allure of external validation is strong, but it will not sustain you. Use the money from this work to fund your next experiment in a different field. However, if you have no or only little option then keep at it but try other experiments and hopefully once you figure out the more energizing one, you can pivot.
3. The Passionate Hobby (High Energy, Low Traction)
This is the most common quadrant for early-stage career changers. You love the work, but you haven't found a way to make it viable yet. The world isn't responding, or you don't have enough evidence to prove your skills.
Example: You spend 30 days writing articles about philosophy. You feel energized and alive, but you only get 10 views on your blog.
The Decision: Persevere, but change the experiment. Your energy is a precious signal. Don't abandon this path. Instead, ask: "How can I get more traction?" Maybe you need to write about a different topic, or promote your work in a different way. Run another experiment.
4. The Green Light (High Energy, High Traction)
This is the quadrant you are searching for. You love the work, and the world is responding to it. This is a clear signal to commit.
Example: You spend 30 days creating case studies for your portfolio. You enjoy the process of analyzing and writing, and you get two interview requests after sharing your work.
The Decision: Commit. Double down on this path. This is no longer an experiment. It is your new direction.
How to Use This System
Choose an experiment: Select one skill or career path you are curious about.
Run a 30-Day Experiment: Commit to a small, tangible project in that field.
Gather the data: At the end of 30 days, honestly assess your Internal Energy and External Traction.
Plot your results: Place your experiment in one of the four quadrants.
Make a decision: Use the quadrant to guide your next move (Pivot, Persevere, or Commit).
This is not a one-time process. It is a loop. You might have to run many experiments before you eventually find your Green Light. But this system ensures that you are always moving forward, always making decisions based on evidence, not hope.
Your Action for This Week
What is one small experiment you can run in the next 7 days to gather data on a potential new career path?
It doesn't have to be a full 30-Day Experiment. Just one small action.
Write one article.
Design one logo.
Have one curiosity conversation.
Gather one data point. And begin the process of engineering your own reinvention.
Until next week,
Ehoneah Obed