Simply keeping your options open can lead to working in a job you don't want long-term or that isn't relevant to your goals. It can result in settling for a mediocre job without pursuing outstanding career capital. Instead, follow a three-stage career approach: first, explore roles to find what interests you, then build career capital in a chosen path with a backup plan, and finally, deploy your skills to address important issues. Regularly update your plan every one to three years as you gain more knowledge and adapt to changes.