I once worked with a client who was stuck in a job that she was really unhappy in. It didn't play to her strengths, her performance was dipping and she wasn't getting support from her manager or the organisation. For a long time she had considered the idea of retraining as a counsellor but felt it was impossible. She worked full time, had no savings, was in rented accommodation and she couldn't see how she could make it work. She kind of felt it was a hopeless dream.

But after visualising what her future might look like as a counsellor, and together identifying goals and routes to achieve those goals, she could see how it was possible. Yes, it would take a few years to get there but she could see how the hurdles, including the financial ones could be overcome. She was so enthused she signed up for some taster courses and started researching volunteer openings. She felt hopeful and more confident about her future.

How hopeful do you feel about your future career?

If you're not sure, why not try writing a Hope letter. A Hope letter can help you articulate what you want and how you might get there. Here's how to approach it:

• Choose a time frame – 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years.

• Write down what you hope your career/professional life will look like in that time frame – imagine what you might be doing, what your surroundings look like, what you might wear, what skills you are using, and make it as vivid as possible.

• Include what your hope for your career enables you to do, for example, maybe you'll have more free time so can start a new hobby, or maybe you're earning more so you can book a mini-break, or maybe it's giving you the chance to do something challenging such as speaking at a conference.

• Don't limit yourself – be aspirational.

• Identify the routes you can take to achieve what you hope for. Be as detailed as you can about the possible pathways. Also identify who can support you along the way.

• Make it accountable – put your letter in a stamped addressed envelope and ask someone to send your letter to you in the time frame you set for yourself.

• When you receive your letter celebrate what you have managed to achieve in the letter and learn from what you haven't.

• After you've written your letter, check in with how hopeful and confident your feel about your career now.

Need help boosting your career confidence or feeling more hopeful about your future career, get in touch for a FREE clarity call or sign up for my online course The Confidence Plan: How to be more confident at work, and use the code EARLYBIRD01 to get 20% off the price.