Are You Settling or Soaring?

The years in the trenches as a parent/caregiver/spouse, especially when you are the default person in charge, has a way of overwriting all previous programming.  Raising kids, running a household, being a caregiver, is only accomplished through the magic of daily repeated patterns. Days and weeks can feel like the same reel playing over and over, stuck in a loop! Our brains rely on autopilot, because it uses less energy than actually thinking. And 2, 4, 6, 10+ years later you may find that you have morphed into a completely unrecognizable person that has lost traction in their career and no longer knows what you want!

It is completely normal to default into looking for that next step in the career pathway that you set in motion when you rolled into adulthood. It makes the most sense. You received training or went to college and did the thing for 10, or 20 or more years. Even if you are coming back from a GAP it makes sense to pick up where you left off. Or does it? What would happen if you paused to consider.

• Does this work excite me? Do I feel a sense of purpose and passion?
  
• Do I feel fulfilled? Am I making a meaningful impact and contributing to something bigger than myself?
  
• Is this job getting me where I want to go? Will it lead to new opportunities, growth, and development?
• Can I say I'm on track for retirement? Am I building a secure financial future?

If the answer to these questions is no, it is time for a new perspective on your career. And to get there you first must STOP and consider the possibilities. Dare to Dream! Hold up. I can already hear your objections. Maria, I don’t have time for this dream job stuff.  I need a job NOW - I do not have time to do this dream job stuff!!! I have a family to support. I can’t start over! What if I am not good enough? I am too old. I am afraid. 

When you give into that voice in your head and hurry or settle into your next ‘thing’ whether that is because it is what we know, it is safe, forcing a FIT — there is a good chance you will end up right back here 6-12 months from now. Beat down, broken, and looking for another THING. Pushing you further and further away from living that life by design. Or worse, you are going to grit it out and increase your stress and trigger that cascade of things (disordered sleep, high blood pressure, poor eating, loss of connections, anxiety/anger/depression, you know this spiral) that lead to health problems and decreased healthspan and a decreased life span. This scenario is certainly not part of your dream future! 

When we build our life by design, defining your career is a big piece of the puzzle. A career pivot is not just about landing your next job or launching a new venture. It's about taking deliberate steps that move you closer to the life you want to live – now and in the future. Do you choose to soar? 

Here are some tips on how you can open your eyes to the possibilities.

1. Reflect on what truly motivates you. Revisit your proudest career moments. What about it made you so proud? 
   
2. Surround yourself with your greatest fans. Share ideas and see what they reflect back at you. Sometimes we need to be reminded of our greatness.
3. Research and network to expose yourself to new ideas and worlds of opportunity.
4. Upskill and reskill to create new possibilities. 
5. Cultivate a mindset that embraces change and views challenges as opportunities for growth. Stay open to new possibilities, take calculated risks, and be willing to step out of your comfort zone to achieve your career aspirations.

It is FINALLY your time to redefine yourself and consider where you are going in your life and how your career can support that vision. Work to live your life by design! Are you committed to taking the next steps? I am happy to collaborate and excited to share in your journey.