Your career path will likely look much more like a winding road than a straightforward climb.

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to change your job or even your entire career trajectory. Maybe you want a new challenge. Perhaps you've been laid off and are ready to start afresh. Or maybe you just need a change. 

Considering which career path to pursue can be one of the most challenging decisions we face. But it doesn't have to be if you take the time to understand what you're looking for and what fulfills you.

Try these tips to design the career of your dreams:

Explore your interests 

Now is the time to get clear on what you want to do with your life and how you want your work to support that. You don't have to be realistic. This is about allowing yourself to get clear and being honest about what you really want. Look at this as your opportunity to open yourself up to possibilities.

If you can dream it, you can do it

Write a letter as 'future you' about your life five or ten years down the road. Write about your days, where you go, and where you live. Envision your perfect future. Keep it, save it, and reread it every year. I will guarantee that the life you envision is one that you'll get closer to if it's constantly on your mind.

Take actions

Now that you've started to nail down your ideal career, it's time to take action. You should feel good about things since you finally know what you want and how to get there. Revamp your resume. Take some classes online. There are many free and paid tools to help you pursue the career path of your choice.

Regardless of your career phase, don't make the mistake of assuming you have to take the first job offered to you. With effort, investment, research, and risk-taking, you can get into the career of your dreams.