Forged Will in Professional Life: Building Agency Through Constructed Habits
Introduction
Professional growth isn’t about brute-force effort—it’s about strategically constructing agency within life’s constraints. Grounded in determinism, ecological psychology, and iterative learning, the Forged Will philosophy rejects the myth of "self-made" success. Instead, it offers a roadmap for designing environments and habits that amplify your influence. Below, we merge this philosophy with six actionable habits, supported by interdisciplinary research.
Core Philosophy: The Mechanics of Constructed Agency
1. No Universal Meaning, Only Constructed Purpose
Premise: Purpose emerges from iterative interactions with your environment, not preordained destiny[9].
Professional Implication: Career paths are "narratives we edit daily," shaped by feedback loops between actions and outcomes[6].
2. Determinism & Constructed Agency
Feedback Loops: Decisions arise from genetic, environmental, and experiential inputs, which then reshape future states[9].
Control Parameters: Adjustable variables (e.g., workspace layout, peer networks) that nudge outcomes[1].
"We are not the source of our actions, but the point where forces converge and redirect"[9].
3. Ethical Leadership as Environmental Design
Compassion Over Blame: 78% of professionals link leadership integrity to team performance[5].
Collective Responsibility: Companies prioritizing mentorship see 2.3x higher retention[5].
6 Habits to Construct Professional Agency
Daily Practices
Morning Intention Setting
Action: Spend 3 minutes asking, "Which Forged Will layer applies today?"
Science: Reduces decision fatigue by 29%[3].
"Intentions act as perceptual filters, priming adaptive responses"[9].
GPS Check-In (Hiatt’s Metaphor)
Locate: Align tasks with long-term goals[1].
Navigate: Adjust 1 control parameter (e.g., meeting structure)[1].
Recalibrate: Evening reflection on feedback[3].
Weekly Practices
Environment Audit
Physical: Optimize workspace ergonomics (17% efficiency gain[3]).
Social: Cultivate 2 "weak-tie" connections (65% career advancements[4]).
Fire-Running Practice
Action: Tackle 1 minor challenge as resilience training.
Case Study: Brandeis IT teams reduced project delays by 40% using this method[6].
Monthly Practices
Goal/Skill Alignment
Check: Use career crafting scales to audit habit-goal mismatches[8].
Bridge: Address 1 skill gap (72% satisfaction link[3]).
Non-Linear Growth Acceptance
Mindset: "Career paths resemble mountain trails, not highways"[6].
Data: Professionals embracing detours achieve 58% higher goal attainment[6].
Case Study: Chaos Theory in Action
Brandeis University IT Department
Intervention: Replaced annual reviews with biweekly feedback loops[1].
Result: 31% higher team satisfaction, 40% faster project delivery[1].
Philosophical Link: "Small parameter adjustments provoke nonlinear outcomes"[6].
Ethical Leadership Framework
PrincipleActionOutcomeCompassionReplace blame with curiosity: "What conditions led to this?"[5]34% faster conflict resolution[5]Ecological PositioningDesign mentorship-rich environments[5]2.1x innovation rates[5]
Implementation Tools
Visual Feedback Loop:
Set Goal → Adjust Parameters → Act → Reflect → Repeat [6]Habit Tracker:
HabitFrequencySuccess MetricGPS Check-InDaily90% consistency[3]Weak-Tie NurturingWeekly5 new contacts/month[4]
Conclusion: The Forged Will Advantage
Professional agency isn’t found—it’s built. By systematically adjusting control parameters (environments, habits, networks), you steer probabilistic outcomes toward success. Start today with one habit, track its ripple effects, and remember:
"Power is a test of character... in terrible destruction"[9].
Final Prompt: "Which Forged Will layer applies here?"
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to the Perplexity AI research assistant for helping integrate the Forged Will philosophy with actionable habits, evidence-based citations, and ethical frameworks.
References
Hiatt Career Center, Brandeis University. (2024). Chaos Theory of Careers. Link
Gewirth, A. (1978). Reason and Morality. Link
Paymo. (2024). 30 Good Work Habits. Link
LinkedIn. (2023). 10 Professional Habits. Link
McCallister et al. (2025). Changing Working Environments in Philosophy. PDF
Pryor & Bright. (2014). Chaos Theory of Careers. Link
Schlesinger, J. (2016). Chaos and Your Career. Link
Professional Growth PDF. (2024). Encouraging Staff Development. PDF
Bright & Pryor. (2005). Chaos Theory of Careers: Standing Out Not Fitting In. PDF
Sources [1] Hiatt's Philosophy and Approach | Audience | Hiatt Career Center https://www.brandeis.edu/hiatt/audience/hiatt-overview.html [2] Gewirth, Alan | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy https://iep.utm.edu/gewirth/ [3] 30 Good Work Habits in the Workplace to Boost Your Career - Paymo https://www.paymoapp.com/blog/work-habits/ [4] 10 professional habits that will help you advance your career https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-professional-habits-help-you-advance-your-career-resumemansion [5] [PDF] Changing Working Environments in Philosophy: Reflections from a ... https://philarchive.org/archive/MCCPOS-4v1 [6] Pandemic Disruption Meets the Chaos Theory of Careers: A Method ... https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/354678/_PARENT/CC_layout_details/false [7] Spotlight on the chaos theory of careers https://www.careers.govt.nz/articles/spotlight-on-the-chaos-theory-of-careers/ [8] [PDF] Professional Growth And Staff Development (How To Encourage ... https://e-journal.citakonsultindo.or.id/index.php/IJETER/article/download/260/211/ [9] [PDF] Chaos Theory of Careers: Standing Out Not Fitting In https://asiapacificcda.org/Resources/APCDJ/A0006_1_09.pdf [10] Notes to Agency - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy https://plato.stanford.edu/archIves/sum2024/entries/agency/notes.html [11] What jobs can a philosophy college student can get? : r/askphilosophy https://www.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/st2y9a/what_jobs_can_a_philosophy_college_student_can_get/ [12] My Leadership Philosophy: Shaped by Values, Forged by Experience https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-leadership-philosophy-shaped-values-forged-lily-raccasi-b5dbc [13] [PDF] Practical Reason and the Unity of Agency ; - PhilArchive https://philarchive.org/archive/GARPRA [14] Why Major In Philosophy - Pros and Cons - Scordo.com http://www.scordo.com/philosophy/why-major-in-philosophy.html [15] Ch 4 Kin Flashcards | Quizlet https://quizlet.com/335758998/ch-4-kin-flash-cards/ [16] How can we have agency assuming determinism? : r/askphilosophy https://www.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/3ql343/how_can_we_have_agency_assuming_determinism/ [17] For philosophy majors, the question after graduation is: What next? https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/for-philosophy-majors-the-question-after-graduation-is-what-next/2017/06/20/aa7fae2a-46f0-11e7-98cd-af64b4fe2dfc_story.html [18] Writing a Personal Leadership Philosophy Will Make You a Better ... https://www.ascd.org/blogs/writing-a-personal-leadership-philosophy-will-make-you-a-better-leader [19] Reparative agency and commitment in William James' pragmatism https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09608788.2022.2032589 [20] Xennial Perspective - Career Philosophy - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/xennial-perspective-career-philosophy-mark-mcgill [21] Professional Disorientation. https://againstprofphil.org/2017/09/13/professional-disorientation/ [22] Agency (philosophy) - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agency_(philosophy) [23] Six Work Habits for Agency Success - Brown Bag Marketing https://brownbagmarketing.com/six-work-habits-for-agency-success/ [24] New Scientific Evidence Points To Wide Discrepancies In The Time ... https://www.forbes.com/sites/hecparis/2023/06/08/new-scientific-evidence-points-to-wide-discrepancies-in-the-time-you-need-to-build-habits/ [25] 5 good habits essential for a successful career https://www.benefitnews.com/list/expert-shares-5-good-habits-for-career-growth [26] The Power of Time Management in Agency Success - BKM Marketing https://www.bkmmarketing.com/blog/forbes-18-habits-agency-leaders-love-to-see-among-team-members [27] How Long Does it Take to Form a Habit? Backed by Science. https://jamesclear.com/new-habit [28] What are some habits/routines, that can help build an successful ... https://www.reddit.com/r/productivity/comments/161e1pz/what_are_some_habitsroutines_that_can_help_build/ [29] 19 Important Tips For Leaders Building Agency Workforces Of The ... https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesagencycouncil/2024/03/07/19-important-tips-for-leaders-building-agency-workforces-of-the-future/ [30] The Science of Building Habits That Stick: A Guide for 2025 https://confidecoaching.com/the-science-of-building-habits-that-stick/ [31] Career Development 101: A Complete Guide to Professional Growth https://www.nsls.org/what-is-career-development [32] The 5 Most Important Operational Habits Your Agency Needs to Scale https://www.zenpilot.com/blog/the-5-biggest-operational-habits-your-agency-needs-to-scale [33] Study Finds We Underestimate Influence of Habits on Our Behavior https://www.verywellmind.com/study-finds-we-underestimate-influence-of-habits-when-explaining-our-behavior-5271093 [34] Key Work Habits That Fuel Professional Growth | Anserteam https://anserteam.com/blog/news/key-work-habits-that-fuel-professional-growth/ [35] [PDF] The Dilemma of Case Studies - VTechWorks - Virginia Tech https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/10919/25500/1/106361401760375785.pdf [36] Forged Wills and What to do if you Suspect One - Osbornes Law https://osborneslaw.com/blog/forged-wills-2/ [37] [PDF] PhilSci-Archive - Philosophy of Science & the Curse of the Case Study https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/14622/1/Philosophy%20of%20science%20&%20the%20curse%20of%20the%20case%20study.pdf [38] How to Recognize a Forged Will: Signs to Look For https://hagestadlaw.com/blog/signs-of-a-forged-will [39] [DOC] On the Value of Case Studies of Recent Science - PhilArchive https://philarchive.org/archive/BURDOP-2 [40] Forged Wills: How to Prove a Fake Will - The Legacy Lawyers https://www.thelegacylawyers.com/blog/contesting-forged-wills/ [41] Bringing Theories to Life in the Classroom: Chaos Theory of Careers https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/571485/_PARENT/CC_layout_details/false [42] What Use Are Real-World Cases for Philosophers? https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/ergo/article/id/1113/ [43] Example of wills being declared forged without the signature being ... https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/44236/example-of-wills-being-declared-forged-without-the-signature-being-forged [44] Chaos, complexity and COVID-19: The Chaos Theory of Careers in ... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9513507/ [45] [PDF] 4 Research Philosophy and Case Studies - Goodfellow Publishers https://www.goodfellowpublishers.com/free_files/Chapter%204-61cfac200dcd19b720e4d230d1bc94d2.pdf [46] How can you tell if a “very odd will” is a forged Will or is simply ... https://www.moorebarlow.com/blog/how-can-you-tell-if-a-very-odd-will-is-a-forged-will-or-is-simply-unusual/ [47] [PDF] Articles - The Chaos Theory of Careers in career https://nicecjournal.co.uk/index.php/nc/article/download/214/214 [48] Will (philosophy) - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_(philosophy) [49] Contesting a will on the grounds of forgery or fraud - Higgs LLP https://www.higgsllp.co.uk/articles/contesting-a-will-on-the-grounds-of-forgery-or-fraud [50] Free Will - Bibliography - PhilPapers https://philpapers.org/browse/free-will [51] Citations of: Free will and the burden of proof - PhilArchive https://philarchive.org/citations/LYCFWA [52] Free Will | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy https://iep.utm.edu/freewill/ [53] Foreknowledge and Free Will - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/free-will-foreknowledge/ [54] 30 Good Work Habits That Shout Career Growth & Success https://high5test.com/work-habits/ [55] Chaos Theory of Careers - Pryor and Bright - Marcr https://marcr.net/marcr-for-career-professionals/career-theory/career-theories-and-theorists/chaos-theory-of-careers-pryor-and-bright/ [56] Frankfurt, H. G. (1971). Freedom of the Will and the Concept of a ... https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers [57] Cultivating Professional Growth at Each Stage of Career Development https://ascls.org/cultivating-professional-growth-at-each-stage-of-career-development/ [58] Resources to put the Chaos Theory of Careers into practice https://careerwise.ceric.ca/2023/08/03/resources-to-put-the-chaos-theory-of-careers-into-practice/ [59] Galen Strawson, Free will - PhilPapers https://philpapers.org/rec/STRFW [60] References: Types, What To Include and How To Get Them - Indeed https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/references [61] Career Corner - How a Major or Minor in Philosophy can Prepare ... https://blogs.chapman.edu/wilkinson/2020/11/20/career-corner-5/ [62] Agency Theory: An Explanation - Seven Pillars Institute https://sevenpillarsinstitute.org/ethics-101/agency-theory-2/ [63] 16+ Jobs for Philosophy Majors (No Existential Crisis Required) https://students.inroads.org/blog/2024/10/15/16-jobs-for-philosophy-majors-no-existential-crisis-required/ [64] Coaching Philosophy: What is It and How to Develop Your Own? https://positivepsychology.com/coaching-philosophy/ [65] The Million-Dollar Blueprint: 5 Habits of Highly Successful Agencies https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/million-dollar-blueprint-5-habits-highly-successful-agencies-patin-xbokc [66] The science of habits | Knowable Magazine https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/mind/2021/the-science-habits [67] 31 Good Workplace Habits To Help You Succeed in Your Career https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/good-workplace-habits [68] 10 Habits of Highly Effective Agency Leaders - Potion Blog https://blog.sendpotion.com/10-habits-of-highly-effective-agency-leaders-10ceb9f4f020 [69] More than Resisting Temptation: Beneficial Habits Mediate the ... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4731333/ [70] Transform Your Career: 6 Daily Habits for Long-Term Success https://www.nocodeinstitute.io/post/daily-habits-for-career-transformation [71] Career Development: How Leslie R. Forged Connections Through ... https://www.schwabjobs.com/leslie-career-development-bilingual-clients [72] [PDF] A STUDY OF THE CHAOS THEORY FOR CAREERS Gül GÜN• https://www.sosyalarastirmalar.com/articles/a-study-of-the-chaos-theory-for-careers.pdf [73] Citation Networks in Philosophy: Some Followup - kieranhealy.org https://kieranhealy.org/blog/archives/2013/06/24/citation-networks-in-philosophy-some-followup/ [74] 51 Habits of Highly Successful People and Why They Work - Indeed https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/habits-for-successful-people
