“But what do you WANT TO do with your career?” she asked.
This question hit me like a sack of bricks.
A mentor asked me this after I gave her the news that my entire department was getting laid off.
I had never considered it that way.
In fact, I had never considered what I WANTED really much at all, especially when it came to my job. The deal was I always did what I HAD TO do. What I WANTED didn’t come into the picture.
It took every shred of composure not to fall into a sobbing pile of mess in her office. I don’t GET TO do what I WANTED, I thought. It’s all about what other people want (or so I thought).
It was a turning point for me, and a great gift to be asked that question with genuine curiosity and care. I started holding space for myself, asking myself what I really wanted.
And the results surprised me.
I got clear on how I FELT about the things I was doing in my work life, what I LIKED and what I DIDN’T. I started opening my eyes to the possibility that I could have a career AND actually enjoy it.
When I did this, I started to see that so much more was possible for me, and I began taking action accordingly (which led to a HUGE pay increase and a job with much better work-life balance).
The thing about my career is that, while it’s not perfect, it has given me CHOICES. I can CHOOSE many things about what kinds of projects I pursue and who I spend my time with. More than I thought possible.
The result is I show up with more integrity. I’m in the room because I WANT TO be in the room. This is powerful. I have a strong presence and VOICE that makes it impossible to overlook me (and leads to exciting assignments and promotions without having to ask).
No matter how backed into a corner you may feel, remember you always have a choice, and you deserve to consider what you want and go after it.
This is what I teach in my 1:1 coaching program, From Overlooked to Highly Paid.
You will learn:
- How to break through other people’s expectations of you and define success on your own terms
- How to stand out (in a good way!), so your employer notices you and wants to reward you for it
- How to position yourself for a raise or promotion without doing a bunch of extra work
Click the link below to book a free call to see if it’s the right fit.
