Are you focused on what you want or what you think is possible?

Are you focusing on what you truly want or what you think is possible? 

Last week I had a bunch of client calls and calls with prospective clients. The through line between all of them was that everyone was limiting their options - whether for a new job, a promotion, starting a new business - to what they thought was possible. What they truly wanted wasn't on the table - if they were even aware of that at all.

I get it - for years I was focused on being 'strategic' with my career moves - making sure that there was a good story to tell that painted a great picture of all of the moves that I had made. 

But, when asked by multiple bosses, HR, etc, I could never articulate what next role I really wanted, or what my long-term career goals were. I didn't want to say “to be the CEO one day” in case they judged me for dreaming too big, and I had no idea what next role I wanted. I genuinely believed (and still do) that I can do anything - but that isn't very helpful in having helpful career conversations. 

So instead I would tell them that I wanted the next promotion above me, or I wanted to move to a department that I knew was hiring and was at least vaguely of interest. I limited my conversations to what I thought was possible. 

I also never stopped to ask myself what I really wanted. If my star hadn't started to fall at the company I had been at for 10 years I probably never would have stopped to ask myself that question.

I hear the same thing from clients when I ask “what do you want to do next?” - they tell me about the roles they think their boss may have control over them getting, or that it is “unrealistic” to think they can make a bigger pivot than a slight change in industry. 

I get it - that is what most people do. 

If that is what you truly want - then I love that for you and will support you in getting it 100%.

But… if you are feeling a tug that you can't quite explain - the one that says you are meant for something more, something different. Don't push it down. Listen to it. Pause. Reflect. 

And if this feeling feels scary, or impossible, or that you are too old -  I am here to tell you that yes it is scary AND yes you can 100% do it. 

Allow yourself to let go of what you 'should do' and focus on what you want. It is a radical idea, I know. But there is so much joy on the other side.

And if you feel like you want someone to support and guide you on listening to that little voice saying you are meant for more… reply MORE and we can hop on a free Career Clarity Call to get you started.