 It’s human nature for motivation to ebb and flow. Seasons shift, life gets busy, and suddenly the goals you set back in January feel… distant. But there’s something about fall that always feels like a natural reset. The air turns crisp, routines return, and we get that back-to-school buzz, even if there aren’t any kids in your house. Fall is a transitional season, and with just a few months left in the year, it offers us a choice, coast through to December or lock in and finish strong.
This year, a trend called “The Great Lock In” has been making waves on TikTok. At its heart, it’s simple: commit to a period of intense, focused action. 115 days from now until the end of the year, to set yourself up for success in the next. And honestly? I love it. Not because I believe in quick fixes or New Year’s resolutions, I’ve never been big on those, but because a defined window of focus can change everything. Maybe 2025 hasn’t unfolded exactly the way you hoped. Maybe you started a career pivot months ago, only to get stuck in the messy middle. Or perhaps you’re just tired of feeling like you’re “in motion” but not really moving forward. Where does the time go? The Great Lock In offers a cultural reset before the holiday rush swallows the calendar. Not to do everything, rather to do the right things, intentionally, for a set period of time. And when it comes to doing big things in your career, that kind of structured focus can be game-changing. There’s no one-size-fits-all rulebook here. For some, it’s about health and fitness. For others, finances or creative projects. But if you’re reading this, chances are your version is career-focused: Landing that promotion Securing a new role Building your side hustle Finally finishing your career pivot Before you consider jumping on the trend, know one thing. Your sprint must be about your why, not someone else’s expectations or a trend you’re borrowing from social media. External validation can be a trap. Your Lock In should be deeply personal, and yes, it should stretch you. I’ve chosen a keystone habit this year: living in the gain, not the gap. Every morning, I write down my three most important needle-moving tasks. Every evening, I celebrate what I accomplished. It’s simple, but it compounds. That’s the essence of a Lock In. It’s not magic. It’s focus, repeated daily, until you’ve laid a foundation for something bigger. 🔍For job seekers, that might mean shifting from endless online applications (that haven’t worked so far) to more meaningful actions like networking and real conversations. 🔍For entrepreneurs, it might mean carving out the time to launch that offer or finally nurture that list. 🔍For anyone in transition, it’s about momentum, and momentum loves structure. Create Your Own Lock In Blueprint
What’s one bold, meaningful commitment you could make for the next 115 days? And if your goal is to finish a career pivot before the new year, whether that’s moving from corporate to something more meaningful, building your portfolio career, or launching your own venture, I would love to connect. Grab your spot on my calendar for your complementary career igniter call. Don’t wait for January. Start today. Lock in. Finish strong. Schedule here: https://calendly.com/mariadastur/connectioncall
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 I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and attended Chicago Public Schools. This was not the land of big dreams. The people around me were hard-working, but their aspirations were often practical and close to home. No one was jetting off to DC for a summer internship or talking about their acceptance to an Ivy League school. Many were headed right to the workforce or into the military after high school. Life revolved around the neighborhood, and dreams rarely stretched beyond attending a state college.
Now, contrast that with a world where kids grow up going to “Take Your Kid to Work Day” at their parent’s law firm or at fortune 500 companies. Or where kids grow up internationally because their parents work for the State Department. In those circles, thinking big is the default. I did have some entrepreneurial influences, my parents scraped together enough to buy a $28K rental property, then another ten years later. And my first job (beyond babysitting) was working as a bookkeeper for my neighbor’s gourmet artisan cheese distribution business. But for the most part, my exposure to big visions and bold possibilities came later in life. The Circle That Shapes You Whether you grew up in a neighborhood where everyone worked in factories, as an Army brat living on base, or in a place where every parent had a white-collar job, we didn’t choose our beginnings. But we do choose who we surround ourselves with today. You’ve probably heard the saying: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” It’s not just a catchy phrase, it’s reality. Your circle shapes your mindset, your standards, your possibilities. So, here’s the real question: How can you widen your circle? When you choose right, you gain: New perspectives — You see options you didn’t even know existed. New opportunities — You hear about jobs, projects, and ideas you never would have stumbled across. New standards — You naturally raise your game when you’re surrounded by people playing at a higher level. 3 Ways to Enlarge Your Circle (and Choose the Right People) Put yourself in new rooms — on purpose Attend events, conferences, or meetups that attract people you admire or want to learn from. Volunteer on a board. Take a class outside your comfort zone. You can’t expand your network from your couch. Look for the “energy spark” The right rooms will light you up. You’ll feel more engaged, curious, and maybe even a little nervous. Pay attention to that tingle of imposter syndrome. It often means you’re in the right place, stretching into your next version of yourself. Seek people who think differently If everyone in your circle agrees with you and shares your exact experiences, you’re in an echo chamber. Seek out people from different industries, backgrounds, and life paths. The contrast will open your mind. We don’t get to pick where we start. But we do get to pick who we surround ourselves with, and those choices can expand your vision in ways that your younger self couldn’t have imagined. So here’s your challenge: Put three things on your calendar this week that will put you in new rooms, spark new conversations, or connect you with people who think differently. What are you going to do first? If you’re ready to widen your circle and design a career that fuels your life, not the other way around. Connect with me for your complimentary connection call. Together, we’ll unapologetically prioritize your desires, reclaim your power, and define your work in a way that feels aligned, exciting, and uniquely yours. Schedule HERE! #CareerGrowth #MindsetMatters #ThinkBigger #NetworkingTips #CareerPivot #PersonalDevelopment #DreamBig #LevelUp #WomenInBusiness #LifeByDesign #CareerCoach #GrowYourNetwork #LeadershipDevelopment #SuccessMindset  You can’t scroll for long without seeing a call to “take back your career” by starting a side hustle. Maybe yours started with a doTERRA kit, selling your homemade treats at the farmers market, or flipping thrift store finds on Poshmark. Maybe, like many professionals post-layoff, you dipped your toe into consulting, only to realize you get to keep the paycheck, but you also carry the pressure of constantly chasing the next gig.
The idea of building side income isn’t new. My own mom ran a daycare out of our house. Over the years, I’ve had plenty of side jobs myself, from painting and dog sitting to a brief, and let’s just say, educational stint with Amway. Today, more and more people are rethinking traditional work and using side hustles as a pathway to something more. Flexibility. Freedom. A way to monetize your brilliance on your terms. But before you jump in, it’s important to zoom out. The right side hustle isn’t the trendiest one, it’s the one that actually fits you, your life, and your goals right now. Here are the key things to consider before you dive in: Time: What Do You Actually Have to Work With? Be brutally honest with yourself. Do you have 5 hours a week, or 25? Do you have caregiving responsibilities, health needs, or a full-time job? There’s no one-size-fits-all path. But you do need to know what you’re building. Start by mapping your weekly bandwidth. This helps set realistic expectations and avoid burnout.“What can I build?” “What can I sustainably maintain for the next 90 days?” Financial Reality Check: What’s Your Runway and Revenue Goal? Are you starting this hustle to bring in quick cash, to build a long-term income stream, or to eventually replace your 9–5? That answer shapes everything. How much do you need to make each month? Do you have savings to float you while it ramps up? Are you supplementing a job—or hoping this becomes the job? Get clear on your financial must-haves vs. nice-to-haves. A side hustle without a financial plan is just a hobby that could stress you out. Support + Sanity: Who’s Really in This With You? Side hustles don’t happen in a vacuum, they happen in real life, with real responsibilities. Before you commit, take a look at your support system and financial picture: Have you talked to your family or partner? Side hustles can mean late nights, early mornings, and a laptop on vacation. Buy-in from the people you live with can make or break your momentum. Set expectations early and talk openly about time, money, and shared priorities. What’s your financial reality? Even a “cheap to start” hustle may have startup costs, delayed payments, or months before consistent income. Can you handle that runway without extra stress? What sacrifices will need to be made short-term? Who will help you stay in the game when it gets hard? Because it will get hard. You’ll hit walls. You’ll doubt yourself. You’ll wonder if it’s worth it. That’s when you need people who get it, other entrepreneurs, an accountability partner, a coach, a mastermind, or even a friend who will remind you why you started. Build your support system now, before you're running on fumes and questioning everything. Once you’ve taken an honest look at your time, money, and support system, it’s time for the fun part, exploration. There are a million ways to earn extra income, but not all of them will light you up or fit your lifestyle. Let’s walk through a few key questions that will help you uncover the right hustle for you. The Right Hustle for You Ask yourself: Do I want to offer services or create products? Am I open to digital tools and automation, or do I want a more human, hands-on role? Do I want to grow this into a business or keep it casual and contained? If you're not sure what to pursue, test a few ideas fast and small before fully committing. Your Sellable Skills: What’s in Your Toolbox? Start with what you already have. Did you grow up in an entrepreneurial household? What industry and skills did you learn? What do people already come to you for? What can you do quickly that solves a problem? What energizes you enough that you’d do it even if no one paid you, but also, what will someone actually pay for? This is where my spark worksheet can help (Download it here). Often, your side hustle gold is hidden in plain sight. Come up with some ideas, run the numbers, talk to your supporters and remember, your side hustle doesn’t have to be your forever thing. It just has to be the right next thing. I’m Maria, a career strategist who helps professionals in transition to reignite their purpose, monetize their brilliance, and design a career that works for the life they’re living now. Whether you’re rekindling your career, launching a side hustle, shifting into entrepreneurship, or building a portfolio career, I’m here to help you navigate the messy middle and take bold, aligned steps forward. Ready to explore what’s possible? Let’s start with your spark, schedule your complementary career exploration call today: https://calendly.com/mariadastur/30-minute-exploration-session #SideHustle #SideHustleLife #CareerPivot #CareerTransition #BuildYourOwnPath #WorkOnYourTerms #MonetizeYourBrilliance #CareerDesign #CreateYourOwnJob #PortfolioCareer #MidlifeReinvention #ReigniteYourPurpose #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessStrategy  This one HURT. The interview process went on for months. You were sure this was the one. Then came the dreaded Friday email:
“Thank you so much for your time, energy, and thoughtfulness throughout this process. After much discussion and reflection, we’ve decided to proceed with another candidate…” This can’t be happening again. The lightness and excitement you felt only 24 hours ago? Gone. I work with clients at all stages of their career pivots. Some have been job hunting for a year, two years, sometimes more. And while there are moments that feel like progress, they often lead to another rejection, another dead end. You’re curled up on the floor of your closet, whispering, “How much more of this can I take?” Questioning every decision that led you here. You thought this pivot would feel powerful. Instead, you just feel broken. But here’s the truth: reinvention is messy, slow, and full of faceplants. Stumbling Toward Something Better A woman fled corporate burnout, expecting quick success in her consulting business. She took the leap with one client at her side. A champion who stuck with her, but more clients didn’t come. Months and months went by. The financial run way dwindling, the shame spirals pulled her down, down, down. She learned how to ask better questions of prospects, refined her offer, rewired her beliefs, got clear on who she really wanted to serve and the problems they faced. The next six months went better. Now thriving, because of that flop, not in spite of it. “It took failing in front of everyone I respected to finally build the thing that felt like mine.” What Failure Really Teaches You No one wants to fall flat on their face. But it’s in those bruises that we learn: What matters most Who’s in our corner Where we need boundaries And how strong we really are Feeling like a hot mess during transition? Totally normal. My Own Faceplant Story After a 10-year career gap, it was time for me to get back in the workforce. I started where everyone does: LinkedIn and the resume. I had no clue what I wanted to do next, so I applied to everything that sparked the slightest interest. Dozens and dozens of carefully crafted applications over months…Crickets. No one, even my husband, knew I was job hunting. I sat with the shame and rejection… alone. But then I realized: that was the problem. No one knew I was looking. Those early applications helped me learn the market (which had changed drastically!) and gave me clarity on what I actually wanted, and what I wouldn’t compromise on. With a new outlook, I started telling everyone I was looking. And guess what happened? Conversations. Which led to calls. One informational interview? I blew it. Rambling for 25 of the 30 minutes. Forgot to ask questions. Gave unsolicited advice. Didn’t follow up, I was too embarrassed. Lesson learned: Let people help you. Have a conversation. A few weeks later, at my daughter’s gymnastics practice, another mom mentioned her friend needed help with his nonprofit. “Are you interested?” “YES PLEASE.” That informational interview? It led to a job offer. I became the Director of Membership for a national nonprofit. Success Built on Micro-Failures Another client felt like she was doing everything wrong, her pivot had been dragging on for years. Start. Stop. Start again. Sound familiar? But when she finally layered all that experience into a carefully crafted portfolio career, things clicked. The money started coming in. The work finally fit. “It didn’t make sense until one day, it did. But I had to live through the mess first.” If You're In the Spiral, Ask Yourself: What Have I Gained? You’ve practiced talking about your skills. You’ve gained clarity on your goals. You’ve: Built confidence Grown your network Added new skills Boosted your personal brand Landed interviews you never dreamed of Gained 400 LinkedIn followers (yep, that counts!) Found new possibilities you hadn’t even imagined All of this? That’s Failing Forward, the process of learning through action, missteps, and messy attempts. If you have lost a job, been ghosted after two months of interviews, gotten passed over for a promotion, lost money on a side hustle, you’re not failing. You’re building something. So How Do You Keep Going When You're Battered, Bruised, and Broke? Reflect. Reframe. Remember. You are not the same person who started this journey. Give yourself grace. Celebrate your growth. If you're falling forward, you're doing it right. If you’re ready to turn everything you've learned into a clear path forward, I invite you to book a free connection call. Let’s take what you’ve gained, and build the career and life you actually want. Let's Chat: https://calendly.com/mariadastur/30-minute-exploration-session #over40 #midlife #getajob #entrepreneur #promotion #CareerPivot #FailingForward #MidlifeReinvention #PurposeDrivenCareer #RealTalk #CareerGrowth #ReinventionJourney #WomenAtWork #PortfolioCareer #LifeByDesign  Hardly a week goes by without a new message in my inbox.
“Is it time for a change? Complete your masters degree in 18 months!” “Unlock six figures in six months…your dream career starts with this certification." You do not need more education to fix your career. More credentials don’t always equal more clarity. And they certainly don’t guarantee success. Yet, when you’re stuck, lost, or burned out in your career, the temptation is strong: “Maybe I’ll just go back to school.” “When I finish this certification, a job will fall into my lap.” “This master’s program says it’ll open doors…” Sometimes, a degree or high-ticket certification is just an expensive detour, a way to avoid doing the real work of figuring out what you actually want. It’s not progress. It’s postponement. A costly escape hatch from the emotional rollercoaster of a career pivot. Don’t get me wrong, upskilling is essential. The market changes. Tech evolves. We grow. But there’s a massive difference between upskilling with purpose and going ‘back to school’ to escape your current dissatisfaction. The difference? A plan. Without a plan, all that tuition, time, and stress can land you in the same spot you’re in now, only with more debt and more doubt. If your goal is to pivot, to earn more, to feel excited by your work again, get strategic, not just busy. Just ask recent grads. There are hundreds of thousands of recent grads with fancy degrees and no job offers. Why? Because degrees aren’t magic and the job search that you tried to escape will be right there waiting for you after graduation. In today’s market, skills, relationships, positioning, mindset, and clarity often matter more than a piece of paper. So how do you know when it is time to make the investment in expensive and time consuming training, certifications, or advanced education? Ask yourself these questions. 1. Is this credential required for the specific role or industry I want to move into? 2. Do I have a clear career vision and plan that this degree fits into, or am I hoping it will give me clarity I don’t yet have? 3. Have I spoken to at least 3 people currently doing the work I want to do and asked them how they got there? 4. Do I have the time and money to make this investment? Do I have a plan? Ok…so I’ve realized it’s not the right time for a degree. “BUT, Maria, I’m emotionally drained and financially stretched. The longer I stay stuck, the worse it gets. I need a way forward.” Here’s where you should start….
Support, mindset shifts, and accountability to take aligned action. That’s what I call a Bold Pivot Plan. A smarter, faster way to redirect your career. Ready to stop spinning and start pivoting? Check out the Bold Pivot Plan here: https://www.mariadastur.com/boldpivot1   Who else has ridden the roller coaster of a multi-month interview process only to end in disappointment?
It starts with excitement: You land an interview, and suddenly there’s hope. Frantic preparation kicks in. You crush the first round. Then comes round two, then a personality assessment, writing assignment, and another panel interview. Each step builds momentum. You start to picture yourself in the role…solving problems, bonding with the team, spending the paycheck in your head. But then it happens. Maybe there was a hiccup, one question you didn’t nail. Maybe you let too much personality shine and now you're second-guessing whether they liked you. Or maybe, deep down, you knew you were the best candidate and still got blindsided: “We’ve decided to go in another direction.” Or worse,“we’re on a hiring freeze.” One of my clients recently made it to the final stages after weeks of interviews, only to get that exact message. No job. No offer. Just the echo of “maybe next time.” I’ve been there too. Years ago, I interviewed on and off for the same job from January to July. After months of back-and-forth my dream came true, “you’ll have your offer by Friday." A week later, I got an email: “We do not have a job for you.” Just like that. Months of energy and expectation…gone. Here’s what most people don’t realize. Interviews feel like progress, but they’re not a strategy. Yes, you should prepare and show up powerfully. Yes, it’s worth celebrating when you make it through each round. But if you're not actively feeding the top of your job search funnel, you’re risking a total stall. Think of your job search like a martini glass: The wide top: Networking, informational interviews, coffee chats, affinity groups, targeted outreach. This is where the volume happens. The middle: Targeted Applications The narrow middle: Interviews, Screenings, Assessments. The very bottom: Offers and Negotiations. I am sure that you have heard that 45–80% of roles are filled through connections. Not job boards. Not cold applications. But conversations. If your focus is temporarily hijacked on what’s at the bottom of your funnel…interviews already in progress, you’re setting yourself up to run dry. You can roll with the rejection of coming out of multiple rounds without an offer, but do you really want to add insult to injury…when you realize that you have nothing else in the pipeline. Keep It Flowing Keep making connections! Especially when you are deep in the interview process. Keep setting up chats. Keep applying. Because momentum matters. And so does protecting your energy and confidence. When you’re constantly fueling the top of the funnel, rejection stings less because you’re already onto the next thing. The job or opportunity you land might not come from the place you're interviewing today. It might come from a conversation you have tomorrow. Ready to build a smarter, more strategic job search plan? Don’t wait until your momentum runs out. Let’s take a look at your current strategy together, and make sure you’re setting yourself up for success at every stage of the funnel. Schedule a call with me here to get started. Your next opportunity might be one conversation away. https://calendly.com/mariadastur/30-minute-exploration-session  Lately, it feels like everyone around me is landing new roles.
Maybe it’s confirmation bias. Or maybe it’s just part of being a career coach. People love sharing their wins when they finally break through. But still…the momentum is real. One client just took a role paying half of what she earned before, but with the kind of schedule that lets her breathe again. She’s calling it her “bridge job,” while she levels up for what’s next. Another is consulting, pulling in enough to cover her bills while still saying yes to summer. Contracts, client calls, and still plenty of fun with the kidos. Then there’s the one who just landed a second offer, $100K more plus a bonus, just months after starting a new job. She didn’t expect it. But her brand showed up before she even had to. And someone else? She’s knee-deep in two interview processes: panel interviews, writing assignments, personality tests, and she’s still going strong in week seven! What do they all have in common? They didn’t just hope it would happen. They didn’t ghost their goals. They kept going, despite summer distractions, self-doubt, and setbacks. Did you? Maybe you had your moment too. Maybe you even started, sent out a few applications, had a networking call, downloaded a workbook, had a great coaching call, maybe even joined the Bold Pivot Plan. And then? Pool days. Visitors. Vacations. Mindless scrolling. Overwhelm. “Maybe later…” I get it. Life happens. But so does stagnation. You can’t build your next chapter if you keep ghosting your own career. You don’t need to overhaul your life. You don’t need more time. You need a plan…a bold one. Here’s how to un-ghost your pivot (and your future) Bold Step 1: Get radically honest about what you need and want…financially, emotionally, and energetically. Bold Step 2: Own your brilliance and update your brand to match it. Bold Step 3: Start having real conversations and creating new opportunities. Bold Step 4: Take aligned action without burning out or spiraling. If you are ready to get your career back, then check out my Bold Pivot Plan. Access the framework, tools, and gentle accountability to keep moving, even if life’s a little messy right now. It is self-paced, so it fits your schedule while focusing on real results, not just reflection. You’ve waited long enough. Let’s make your second half your best half. Check it out here: https://www.mariadastur.com/boldpivot1 #over40 #midlife #career #inspiration #meditation #getajob #promotion #entrepreneur #family #career #coach #RichLife #support #boldreinvention  I’ve worked with so many people who were standing at the edge of change, straddling two worlds in their careers and unsure how to move forward. One foot still in a job that’s draining them, maybe even pushing them out the door with toxic culture, layoffs, or burnout. Another planted in a business they’ve poured their soul into… but that still hasn’t taken off. Some are still reeling from a gut-wrenching termination they never saw coming. Others are simply done, done climbing the ladder, done doing the thing they’ve been doing since college, done chasing someone else’s version of success. Some have started to imagine new possibilities and even took a few steps toward that dream. Others are stuck in the in-between, desperate for something different, but terrified to walk away from everything they’ve built. Here’s the thing…you never really walk away from it all. You bring the best of it with you. That messy middle is uncomfortable, disorienting, and yes, painful. It’s a place of tension between what’s comfortable and what’s calling. A stretch between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming. You might be asking:
What if it’s evidence that you’re evolving? After working with dozens of clients, I have created my 5 step framework to help you build momentum one intentional step at a time. Sharing it today with the hopes that it gives you clarity to move out of the messy middle! Step 1: Define What You Really Crave ASK: “What am I truly missing right now?” Most people think they’re choosing between job titles or industries. But underneath that, the real choice is between:
Step 2: Find Your Growth Edge ASK: “What part of the new path excites me and scares me?” This is where your edge of growth lives. What stories does your brain tell you as you start moving forward in this career pivot? The work you’re meant to do usually lives right at the intersection of energy and uncertainty. ACTION STEP: Write down one bold move you’ve been avoiding and ask yourself: “What would I do if I trusted myself more?” Step 3: Audit the Tradeoffs Staying has tradeoffs. So does leaving. Create a simple chart with three columns where you can weigh the options:
Step 4: Choose a Micro-Move Most people wait to pivot until they’re 100% sure. But momentum comes from movement, not certainty. ACTION STEP: Commit to one small experiment this week:
Step 5: Recommit to Who You’re Becoming When you get stuck in “Should I stay or go?” Ask yourself…“If I trusted my growth, what would I do next?” ACTION STEP: Build your support and accountability team. List 2-4 people who will help you stay accountable, mentor you, listen on the hard days, and open doors for you. Everything you are experiencing, being stuck in the messy middle is part of your career evolution. “Should I stay or should I go?” Only you can answer that question. If you are ready to take your next step, then check out my Bold Pivot Plan. It is a summer on-demand program that I created to move you from the messy middle to landed. Check it out here: https://www.mariadastur.com/boldpivot1 #over40 #midlife #career #inspiration #meditation #getajob #promotion #entrepreneur #family #career #coach #RichLife #support #boldreinvention  Your career won’t be saved by a job posting, a boss, or a recruiter.
It will be saved by your decision to take back control. Control over how you conduct your search. Control of what you say yes to next. Control of your investment in yourself. Control of the story you’re telling about who you are and what’s possible for you. Are you ready to take back your control? Elena worked for a school district. She had what everyone called a “good job”. Great benefits. A stable paycheck. And she was phenomenal at what she did, so much so that her boss leaned on her constantly to put out fires, solve problems, and quietly carry the load. Every year like clockwork, the same soul-crushing cycles would return. Back-to-school registration. Grading season. Schedule creation. Elena would work ten-hour days, come home to put her kids to bed, and then… Turn the computer back on. She worked until 1 or 2 a.m. just to make sure students had schedules by the first day of school. Because “If I don’t do it, who will?” She told herself: “It’s just temporary.” “They need me.” “I’m making a difference.” And she was. But at what cost? Her health was deteriorating. Her spirit was fading. And still, this single mother didn’t believe she could leave. “I can’t leave the county job,” she told me. “I’m lucky to have it.” It wasn’t until Elena recognized the abuse had gone on long enough and gave herself permission to imagine something less punishing that everything began to shift. Her bold step began with talking to HR and other people in different departments. And then, a door opened and she was able to transfer within the county, to a department that valued her gifts without abusing them. Now? No late nights. No chaos cycles. And for the first time in years, Elena feels like she has her life back. It’s Not a Solo Journey, But It Starts with You You don’t have to do all of the work alone. You just have to decide you’re worth the work, and that work starts NOW. Once you claim that power back, something magical happens. You can tag in the mentors who see your potential You can seek out the coaches who help you build a roadmap You can find the community who cheers you on when you doubt yourself You can access tools that uncover your strengths, passions, and opportunities You can learn to position yourself for the career you actually want, not the one you settled for That’s what The Bold Pivot Plan is built to do. It’s a self-paced career transformation course that helps you go from lost or stuck to focused and sought-after. Because no, no one is coming to save you. But the second you decide to save yourself, the support you need starts showing up. Learn more about participating in the Bold Pivot Plan summer accelerator here: https://www.mariadastur.com/boldpivot1 #CareerPivot #CareerTransformation #ReinventYourCareer #MidlifeCareerChange #SecondActCareer #CareerByDesign #CareerGrowth #SummerReset #SummerPivot #SummerOfYou #BoldSummerMove #DesignYourLife #OwnYourJourney #Coach #Mindset #WomenInTransition  It’s not just a tough week. It is more than just needing a vacation. This is burnout, the kind that seeps into your soul. The kind that makes you unsure of how to climb out of the spiral. The kind that makes you feel alone on an island.
This burnout has pushed you into a career pivot, or it might be the career pivot that has caused the burnout ! You want to find your next dream job, but with all of the things weighing on you, how can you make that happen? There are real-life responsibilities to juggle...the bills don’t stop, health insurance is non-negotiable, and for many, there’s a desire to contribute to your family in a new way, especially after a long stretch of caregiving. Maybe you’ve suddenly become the sole income earner. When it all falls on you, every decision feels heavier. Here’s what I want you to know. Reinvention doesn’t mean you are starting completely over. It means starting from where you are, with everything you’ve already built. Repackaging, not replacing. I work with people in the midst of major career shifts, people who are walking away from roles that no longer fit, rediscovering their identity post-caregiving, or building something brand new after being underemployed or overlooked. So where do you even begin? When you’re burnt out, lost, or simply craving something new, the idea of reinventing your career can feel impossible. You already have a rich collection of experiences, skills, and strengths. Let’s build on the foundation of what you already know, love, and do well, and build a bridge to what is next. Inventory Your AssetsStart with your Spark Zone, the sweet spot between what you’re great at and what lights you up. One way to do that? Download my 5 Steps to Monetize Your Brilliance workbook and use the Spark Worksheet. It’s designed to help you identify the intersection of your superpowers (the skills that pay the bills) and your passions (the things that energize you and give you purpose). Next, revisit your kudos file. This might live in your inbox, your LinkedIn recommendations, old performance reviews, or even that sticky note you saved from a client or colleague. These pieces of positive feedback are gold, they reveal how others experience you at your best. Ask yourself: What compliments have stuck with me? What kinds of things do people thank me for? What do I consistently get pulled into because “you’re so good at this”? Have you considered reaching out to your community for a fresh perspective? People around us often see us in a very different way than we see ourselves. Reach out to former colleagues, managers, friends, or clients and ask: What do you see as my greatest strengths? What kind of problems do I help solve? What’s something I do exceptionally well that I might not even notice? What kind of role or environment could you see me thriving in? Reflect on Your Lived Experience Now, zoom out. Think about the moments that have shaped your career and your life. What were you doing when you felt most energized and alive? What challenges do you find yourself solving over and over again? What parts of your previous roles brought you joy or made you feel like your fullest self? Those moments hold clues about what you want more of, and what you’re ready to leave behind. Consider Your Network. Your next opportunity may come from the most unexpected corner of your world. It might be someone in your book club, a fellow volunteer, a parent you met on the sidelines of a soccer game, or a neighbor who knows someone hiring. Take inventory of the people in your world: Who opens doors for others? Who’s always doing interesting things that catch your eye? Who’s a few steps ahead of you in the kind of career you’re dreaming about? Who’s a super-connector that seems to know everyone? Who was there with you, or benefited, when you were in your zone of genius? Reach out. Reconnect. Have real conversations. Because conversations lead to clarity. They spark new visions. And they help you start writing a new narrative for your future. Let’s Be Honest. This Is Brutally Hard. You’re not going to figure this out in one day. And that’s not because you’re doing it wrong, it’s because reinvention is messy, emotional, and deeply personal. Burnout, identity shifts, financial pressure, uncertainty on top of everything else that mid-life throws at ya…it is a lot! You just need the right tools…and the right support. Download the 5 Steps to Monetize Your Brilliance Workbook to start turning your lived experience into a career vision that aligns with who you are now so that you can use that newly discovered spark to illuminate the path as you redefine what work is to you. And if you want someone to help you process it in real time, book a complementary Career Exploration Call with me. We’ll talk through what’s next and start shaping a path that feels possible. #CareerPivot #BurnoutRecovery #CareerChange #MonetizeYourBrilliance #LifeByDesign #MidlifeCareer #Reinvention #CareerCoach |
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