7 mistakes high achievers make when choosing their next career step (part 4)
Today, we’re continuing with our series 7 mistakes high achievers make when choosing their next career step :)
You can read the introduction to the series here.
You can read about Mistake #1: Thinking in terms of jobs and roles…Instead of thinking in terms of applications of their craft here.
You can read about Mistake #2: Thinking in terms of industries and functions…Instead of thinking in terms of goals, blockers, and problems to be solved here.
You can read about Mistake #3: Discounting the value of your craft because it comes easily to you here.
Now, let’s jump into Mistake #4.
Mistake #4: Prematurely accepting tradeoffs.
When high achievers decide not to do the “obvious next step” in their career…
They unconsciously assume that this choice must involve tradeoffs.
If you’re choosing what feels right to you on the inside…
Instead of what looks good and makes sense from the outside…
Surely you have to give something up? Right?
Surely the cost of purpose and alignment is…
Less money.
Less prestige.
Slower progress.
Less impressive outcomes.
Not being “the big thing” you thought you were going to be.
Now, this may be true.
I don’t know yet, for your particular situation.
But here’s what I DO know for sure:
Starting your search already assuming that you have to make tradeoffs is not going to help you.
Starting with the assumption that your A+ option doesn’t exist…
And that the best you can find is a B- outcome.
Only guarantees that you will find and accept a B- outcome.
So here’s what I want you to do.
Articulate your A+ next step.
My guess is that it is something that is…
Well-suited to your craft and your unique strengths.
Aligned with your purpose, your interests, and the impact you want to make in the world.
Feels “big” enough to be worthy of your capabilities and potential.
Lets you grow at the pace and trajectory you want.
Makes the amount of money that lets you live the lifestyle you want.
Gives you the amount of time you want outside of work to devote to your personal life.
Is something you’d be proud to tell your peers that you do.
These are the common ingredients of most people’s A+ next steps.
But take the time to articulate yours in particular.
And then once you’ve done that…
Search for your A+ next step first.
Don’t assume from the jump you have to give away one of the ingredients of your A+ outcome.
Look first for the thing that has it all.
Let the market (not your brain) tell you whether or not your A+ next step exists.
It may exist, or it may not. I don’t know.
But if it doesn’t exist, I want real world data from the market to tell you that.
Not your own fearful brain to tell you that before you even start.
I cannot tell you how helpful it is to have an objective thought partner during this process.
If you have a normal human brain…
Then chances are, it feels safer to your brain to just assume that your A+ option doesn’t exist…
Than to try to find it, fail at finding it, and feel really disappointed about it.
But of course, this logic is totally backwards.
Not trying at all guarantees a 0% chance of success.
Whereas trying, even a little bit, gives you a non-zero chance of success.
But our brains aren’t logical. They are emotional, and often fearful.
A coach helps you notice when your fear brain has taken over.
And they help you tap back into your flow brain, so you can see the situation clearly and objectively.
So come talk to me, and let’s find your A+ next step.
You can drop by anytime for a no-strings-attached coffee chat ☕️
It’s not a sales pitch.
It’s just an opportunity for us to discuss whatever’s on your mind…
And I’ll offer some one-off coaching and brainstorming about your situation.
Or you can book a consult call, and we can map out a full coaching engagement.
So we can articulate your A+ next step.
Make a game plan for systematically scanning the market to find it.
And then navigate the transition from where you are to where you want to be.
⬅️ Mistake #3 || Mistake # 5 ➡️
What my clients have to say…
“I was worried it would just be a patch on things.
As soon as I’m not talking to Pooja and working through some of these things, does it all go back to square one?
But as we worked together, if we didn’t have a session for one week, it was evident that I didn’t immediately go to zero.
The tools and training Pooja gives people stick.”
—Client | VP - Global Product, Visa
I help high achievers build their careers around flow.
This requires…
Internally, learning how to access your flow no matter what’s going on around you
Externally, designing a career strategy that angles your flow at a high-priority problem that someone will pay you good money to solve
Tactically, navigating the transition from where you are right now to where you want to be
Today’s article focused on #2.
For more writing on all 3 of these, check out my table of contents.
You can also support this publication (and make my day!) by subscribing and sharing it with anyone you think would find it helpful. Thank you for being here :)
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