That Instant 'I Can't' Reaction? It's Lying to You.

If I know you are seeking opportunities, I am always on the lookout for you. That’s just how my brain works. When I read, watch, listen, connect…my mind is scanning for possibilities on your behalf. I don't always get it exactly right. Sometimes the opportunity is a job posting, sometimes it’s the company itself, sometimes it's an event where I know you’ll have access to your target audience. Opportunities come in many shapes and sizes. And when I share these possibilities, I get all kinds of reactions.
Sometimes it’s a quick, polite “thanks.”
Other times, it’s a list of reasons why it won’t work:
"It’s too competitive, there are a thousand people with my exact credentials out of work right now."
"I don't have enough experience."
"They would never hire me."
"I don't belong in that room."
"I don’t wanna…"

I never take the pushback personally.
I’ve heard it all before.
Imposter syndrome and self-sabotage front and center.

Seeing Opportunity is a Skill - But Believing You Deserve It is the Real Work

Would you be surprised if I told you that the biggest piece of my work as a career coach isn’t about writing resumes or landing interviews?  It’s about teaching people how to believe in themselves. When I work with someone, I almost always see more for them than they can see for themselves.
I build them up piece by piece:
-Earning some quick wins to spark momentum
-Celebrating each step
-Serving as a safety net when setbacks happen
-Gently, and sometimes not so gently, nudging them forward

We fortify confidence and resilience together, 
built on a deep understanding of your needs, 
your values, and your “why.”


Marcella’s Story: Trusting the Process
Take Marcella, for example. Marcella’s skills from her professional and volunteer experiences were vast and wide ranging. The problem? There was no clear next step. She struggled to define the job title, let alone the industry. So we started somewhere else.  We talked about her non-negotiables: work conditions, schedule, team size, corporate culture, pay, and benefits.  We identified the types of people she wanted to serve. Once that foundation was clear, her search became more focused.

When a position opened at a small-to-midsize company that checked most of her boxes, I shared it with her. She hesitated.  
"Maria, I’ve never been a project manager before. Why would they hire me?" 
Trust me. 
We connected the dots on her resume and LinkedIn, positioning her skills in a way that made sense for the role. The salary was at the lower end of her range, but it fit so many other pieces of her life vision. She accepted the offer. And in just four months, Marcella was promoted to Director. She thrived because she trusted herself just enough to take that first step, and trusted me to help her build from there.

Rebuilding After a Career Gap
I often work with people who’ve had significant gaps in employment, due to caregiving, illness, or other life circumstances. On our first call, I often hear something like  "I’ll take anything. I just need to get back in." But we don’t start there.

We start by giving permission to act from a position of power, not desperation.
What do you need out of your work?
What do you want?
What does a day in your life look like, and how does work fit into it?

For many selfless caregivers, it’s been years since they even asked themselves these questions.  "It’s been a long time since I considered what I want…"  We take our time.  We work on mindset and resilience first. Then we look at ALL of their skills, not just the ones from their last job, but the ones they used while volunteering, caregiving, running households, and managing life’s complexities. When they finally see the full breadth of what they can offer, I see the wide-eyed look of wonder!  "That’s me??"  Yes. That’s you.

If you don’t believe in you — why would anyone else?

If someone offers you an opportunity, try seeing it not as a judgment on your worthiness, but as a mirror reflecting what’s possible for you, even if you can’t fully see it yet.
👉 Get curious. Ask follow up questions if you don’t see the possibility.
👉 Say yes more often.
👉 Take messy first steps.
👉 Trust the process of growth.

Opportunity is everywhere. It’s not about waiting for the right one to appear, it’s about being ready to believe you are worthy of it when it does. If you would like to gain some perspective on opportunities that are out there for you, hop on my calendar and let’s talk. https://calendly.com/mariadastur/30-minute-exploration-session