Most professionals I ask hesitate before answering, and even the “yes” answers often come with a hint of doubt.
As someone who’s led global teams, built operational structures, and mentored entrepreneurs starting a new venture, I’ve seen the patterns that signal when it’s time for a next chapter… and how to navigate it with a plan.
The Reality Check
Recently, I’ve been meeting with high-achieving professionals and asking them if they feel they’re in the place and career they truly want to be.
Only a few have said “yes,” and even then, their tone didn’t sound convincing.
The exceptions? A handful who had started building a side hustle or were actively exploring a new path. They weren’t necessarily certain of the outcome, but they had taken a step. The rest felt something was missing. Some were nudged into exploration because their role or the market had changed. Others simply knew, deep down, that the life they were living didn’t fully reflect who they are now.
The Missing Piece
When clients share this feeling of restlessness, we start by unpacking it. We don’t jump straight into tactics. We explore:
What exactly feels “off” right now?
What would need to change to make it right?
Do you have the motivation, skills (or willingness to learn), and passion for the change?
And just as important, is it something the world needs and is willing to pay for?
This is where the Japanese concept of Ikigai often comes in, finding the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
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Clarity → Commitment → Action
Once we’ve explored these questions, we turn insight into action:
Setting clear goals.
Outlining concrete steps.
Making real commitments.
Sometimes, the path is a new role. Sometimes, it’s entrepreneurship — which brings its challenges: building tolerance for risk, developing a growth mindset, and navigating uncertainty. That’s a deeper conversation (and a post) for another time.
A Question for You
If you look ahead 12 months and nothing changes, how will you feel?
That answer might be the first step toward your next chapter.
Feel like chatting about it?
DM me or write to: [email protected]