Next Chapter Scorecard
This scorecard is for when you’re staring at two (or five) different paths and asking yourself: Which one actually makes sense for me? Don’t just chase what looks shiny on paper—salary, title, industry. Use this to pressure-test each option against what really matters: the growth you want, the impact you care about, and how you want to feel every day. The goal? Strip away the noise so you can hear your Inner Radio loud and clear.
Step 1: Gate with Non-Negotiables (pass/fail)
List the things that must be true. Anything that fails here is out (don’t score it later).
Examples: Paid role, part-time/flexible, industry constraints, location/remote, ethical fit.
Your list (3-6 items):
__________ 2. __________ 3. __________ 4. __________ 5. __________ 6. __________
| Non-Negotiable | Option A | Option B |
|---|---|---|
| Paid | PASS / FAIL | PASS / FAIL |
| Part-time / Flexible | PASS / FAIL | PASS / FAIL |
| Industry of Interest | PASS / FAIL | PASS / FAIL |
| Location / Remote Fit | PASS / FAIL | PASS / FAIL |
| Only options that pass every row move on to Step 4. Remove the rest. | ||
Step 2: Name Your Growth Targets
Keep it focused. Choose 3–6 total across these buckets.
Skills (e.g., facilitation, digital strategy, fundraising, negotiation, stakeholder mapping, storytelling)
Traits (e.g., resilience, calm under pressure, influence, creativity, patience, executive presence)
Knowledge (e.g., climate tech landscape, healthcare reimbursement, AI basics, change management)
Impact (e.g., empowering communities, advancing climate action, improving employee well-being, scaling access to education)
Write yours here (3–6 total, mix and match):
__________ - __________ - __________ - __________ - __________ - __________
Step 3: Choose Your Top 3 Feelings (how you want to feel in your next chapter)
Circle or add your own, then pick top three.
Menu: Energized, Creative, Free, Focused, Supported, Calm, Challenged (in a good way), Connected, Confident, [Other: ______]
My Top 3 Feelings:
__________ 2) __________ 3) __________
Why they matter (quick reflection):
Feeling #1 (_____): Why this matters now → ____________________. What it looks like daily → ____________________.
Feeling #2 (_____): Why this matters now → ____________________. What it looks like daily → ____________________.
Feeling #3 (_____): Why this matters now → ____________________. What it looks like daily → ____________________.
Step 4: Build the Scoring List
Combine Growth Targets (from Step 2) + Top 3 Feelings (from Step 3) into one list of criteria to score.
Example final scoring list (you will customize):
Skill: Facilitation
Trait: Influence
Knowledge: Climate tech
Impact: Empowering community
Feeling: Energized
Feeling: Creative
Feeling: Free
Aim for 6–10 criteria total (manageable but complete).
Step 5: Assign Importance Weights (1-5)
For each criterion on your list, assign a weight based on importance:
5 = Critical (deal-shaper)
4 = Very important
3 = Important
2 = Nice to have
1 = Low importance
Tip: If everything is a 5, nothing is. Push yourself to vary.
Step 6: Score Each Option (0-5)
For each criterion, score how well each option fits:
5 = Excellent fit (consistently, clearly present)
4 = Strong fit (often present)
3 = Adequate (sometimes present)
2 = Weak (rarely present)
1 = Very weak (barely present)
0 = Not present
Tip: Ask: “Realistically, how much would I feel [Energized/Creative/etc.] most weeks in this option?” Then score 0–5.
Step 7: Calculate Weighted Scores & Totals
For each cell: Weighted Score = Weight × Score.
Then sum the Weighted Scores per option to get Total.
Sample Table (fill in your own criteria):
| Criteria | Weight (1–5) | Score (0–5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skill: __________ | |||
| Trait: __________ | |||
| Knowledge: __________ | |||
| Impact: __________ | |||
| Feeling: __________ | |||
| TOTAL | = ______ |
How to use: For each row, assign a Weight (importance) and a Score (fit). Multiply Weight × Score to get the Weighted column. Add them up at the bottom for your Total.
Step 8: Interpret the Results
Eliminate any option that failed Step 1 (non-negotiables).
Compare totals among remaining options. Higher = better overall fit.
Scan the Feelings rows: Does the leading option actually deliver your top feelings?
If there’s a tie, use these tie-breakers:
Which option best supports the single most important criterion (Weight=5)?
Which option you’d be proud to put on your timeline one year from now?
Which option you want to start next Monday?
Step 9: De-risk the Call
Write a 3-sentence decision memo to yourself:
I’m choosing _____ because…
The trade-offs I accept are…
To de-risk, I will run this experiment in the first 30 days…
Define a low-stakes pilot (e.g., 4–6 week trial scope, clear success criteria).
Set a check-in date to reassess using the same scorecard.
Quick Checklist
I removed any option that failed non-negotiables.
My scoring list has 6–10 criteria total (incl. top 3 feelings).
Weights vary (not all 5s).
I used the 0–5 fit scale consistently.
I reviewed the Feelings rows before deciding.
I wrote a short decision memo + a 30-day experiment.
Bring what you discover here, including your criteria, your top feelings, and your first pass at scoring, into our next coaching session. We’ll use it as a jumping-off point to test your assumptions, sharpen your priorities, and pressure-test the trade-offs together.