The Cost of Not Clarifying What You Want at Work - and What You Can Do Instead

The key to making better life and work decisions is actually pretty simple: You need to take a step back to get a sense of the big picture. (Do you want a chance to do this too?)

That's what I learned when I hired a life coach for the first time. 

When I took the time with her to take regular time out of my busy schedule to really reflect on what I wanted, it saved me from nearly missing the chance at my dream job. 

Here's what happened: 

I was a couple of months into working with my life coach. We had just spent a session describing in detail what my ideal job was, when suddenly I realized it had been sitting right in front of me.

Literally. 

The job was an internal opportunity that had been dropping weekly into my inbox via my company's e-newsletter for nearly a month. 😳

Even though the position sounded incredible and like something I'd always wanted to do -- every time I saw it, I had lots of stories about why I couldn't try for it.

💭  It would too big of a leap. I wouldn't have the internal support for it. The decision makers would say, "No way."

💭  I didn't speak French, which the job description "required".

💭  My current boss had recently promoted me and I was worried what she'd say. (Like, How could you!?)

Two things:

1 – If I hadn't taken time to clarify what I really wanted in a perfect job, I never would have noticed that this position hit nearly every mark.

2 – If I hadn't had a coach, someone on the outside who also knew what I wanted, I wouldn't have gotten the little push I needed to get me past all my stories about why I couldn't have this. 

The rest is history: 

After talking with my coach about the position and getting her push, I went into work the next day and asked for private meetings with both the department head and my boss to talk about the job.

The department head, who I had worried wouldn't support me because it was too big a leap, said, "Hmm ... really? I'd have to talk to the hiring manager about it but I think you'd be great at this. You don't speak French, but I think we can get around that."

My boss, who I worried would get mad at me for applying for a job outside her team, gave me a long look and then, as if putting her own concerns aside, said with a small smile, "I'd wondered why you hadn't applied for that."

I remember walking out of the office that evening with the biggest grin on my face.

I had their support.

I even felt like a "shoo-in" for something that had felt like a long shot only that morning.

I also felt kind of embarrassed, and shocked even, at how close I had come to missing the perfect opportunity when it had been sitting right under my nose.

This is how I went from a boring desk job at HR to an emergency response communications role that sent me to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. It was the most adventurous and difficult job that I've ever had, and that I still feel privileged to have been able to do.

(By the way, French really didn't matter because the role really required Haitian kreyòl.)

So, I am talking from firsthand experience when I say:

It's incredible what opportunities you can miss when you haven't taken the time to figure out what you're looking for.

And I don't want this to happen to you! EVER.

That's why -- if you're even remotely thinking about looking for a new job or making any kind of career change -- I want to invite you to check out my Career Clarity Lab. 

In this free masterclass, I'll walk you through exercises so you get clear on: 

💡  What kind of job is really right for you

💡  Your ideal job or work situation 

You will walk away with new insights, ideas and actions for your next career steps. 

When you don't get clear about what you want in your work, there are so many things that can go wrong. You could: 

⚠️ Miss the right opportunity when it actually appears (like I almost did!) 

⚠️ Stay stuck in dissatisfaction or under-earning

⚠️ Take another job only to realize it still doesn't make you happy

Continue to live with the feeling that you're wasting your time, or your potential. 

All this is largely avoidable, with something as simple as taking time out for some reflection. 

Take stock of where you are and where you want to go. 

Click here to get instant access to my FREE Career Clarity Lab masterclass.

Here's to your next big decisions about your career being some of the best you've ever made, because you eliminated the doubt and replaced it with calm, centered clarity.