Thanks for this amazing article Steph! The points you make are important and I loved how you set everything out so clearly.
I found myself fascinated by my own reaction while I was reading because my normal perspective is exactly in line with everything you said, questioning the validity of staying, exploring options to shift, and exercising our courage muscle to take the leap. But this time there was a little voice inside me saying "yes, but there is also this". THIS is also the courage to stay where we are, to find growth and development in the same place, which seems to be an aspect that's currently getting lost in our culture as the young working professionals are encouraged to explore many options.
It is human nature to get bored and to want more, and it seems to have become a cultural norm to shift (which I totally love BTW). I have wanted to get out of my 27 year career many times over the years but I'm so glad I didn't. For a very long time I have been at a place of rich fulfillment, enjoyment and being damn good at what I do which is pretty fun!
All that being said I think our culture is currently in the place of the messy middle (to use your great term) as many people are leaving jobs to try something new (kudos to them for sure) but that is leaving gaps in the places they left. I believe we will be left with a new working (and world) paradigm that did not exist before, hopefully, one where everyone has examined what is deeply important to them, what their gifts are, and taken steps to create a life where they can shine their light into the world.
As you said it's about attention and intention, then moving on or staying put from a place of heart-centered action.
Haha, sorry, I'm circling back here because I was thinking about this a little more and needed to add that you are so right when you say nothing is ever lost. Every step prepares us for what came before regardless of what we do with the education, experience, opportunity etc.
Hi Donna - thank you for your thoughtful comments.
You bring another side to this discussion, which is as you said, the idea of people shifting and pivoting and leaving at a higher frequency, and the natural impacts of that.
Like everything, it’s such a delicate balance in a way because people are re-imagining how they want to work, trying to follow their values and priorities more, and as such, are making more shifts.
AND — sometimes that also is happening b/c people just hope the grass is greener.
I’ve been in business for 15+ years and it hasn’t all been a rose garden. It’s required lots of pivots and shifts, but still within the ecosystem of my business. And like you said with your 27 year career (amazing!), it’s allowed you to create a level of mastery and wisdom that can only come when we commit to something long enough.
I always use the analogy of a swing that goes high in both directions — one extreme to another — and then starts to find a cadence that’s enjoyable. I think perhaps we’re in the process of swinging to extremes right now as we try to find our center again. And that is the messy middle (mixing my metaphors here - lol).
Anyway - it will be so interesting to see how these next few years shake out as we all navigate this new territory together. :)
Oh yes! I love the swing analogy. I do trust we (being the world) will land on it's feet where it's supposed to and to do that we need things to change which, as you said, doesn't look so good when it's happening. Your excellent article applies to everything really, not just work!
I really enjoyed reading this Stephanie, I think many people are reprioritising what is important to them, which may mean they are considering a bigger move. It's so true that anything that you've learnt, is not wasted and can be applied elsewhere. I feel as though we'll see a lot more shifts as we continue to raise consciousness and consider where we want to be. Thank you
Thanks for adding your thoughts Louise! I agree that we’re likely to see many more shifts to come. I’m hearing so many more people ask questions they were once too afraid to ask (like, what do I *really* want?).
Loved the flow of this article. It made me think. I truly believe that what we do each day/month/year, leads us to the next step rather than entrenching us. Thanks for making me think, as you always do.
Thanks Julie! I love that perspective of each thing we do leading us to the next thing. It can be hard to remember when we’ve invested so much in one way or one thing or one person, but it’s worth pursuing regardless. Thanks for adding your thoughts! :)
Thanks for this amazing article Steph! The points you make are important and I loved how you set everything out so clearly.
I found myself fascinated by my own reaction while I was reading because my normal perspective is exactly in line with everything you said, questioning the validity of staying, exploring options to shift, and exercising our courage muscle to take the leap. But this time there was a little voice inside me saying "yes, but there is also this". THIS is also the courage to stay where we are, to find growth and development in the same place, which seems to be an aspect that's currently getting lost in our culture as the young working professionals are encouraged to explore many options.
It is human nature to get bored and to want more, and it seems to have become a cultural norm to shift (which I totally love BTW). I have wanted to get out of my 27 year career many times over the years but I'm so glad I didn't. For a very long time I have been at a place of rich fulfillment, enjoyment and being damn good at what I do which is pretty fun!
All that being said I think our culture is currently in the place of the messy middle (to use your great term) as many people are leaving jobs to try something new (kudos to them for sure) but that is leaving gaps in the places they left. I believe we will be left with a new working (and world) paradigm that did not exist before, hopefully, one where everyone has examined what is deeply important to them, what their gifts are, and taken steps to create a life where they can shine their light into the world.
As you said it's about attention and intention, then moving on or staying put from a place of heart-centered action.
Haha, sorry, I'm circling back here because I was thinking about this a little more and needed to add that you are so right when you say nothing is ever lost. Every step prepares us for what came before regardless of what we do with the education, experience, opportunity etc.
Hi Donna - thank you for your thoughtful comments.
You bring another side to this discussion, which is as you said, the idea of people shifting and pivoting and leaving at a higher frequency, and the natural impacts of that.
Like everything, it’s such a delicate balance in a way because people are re-imagining how they want to work, trying to follow their values and priorities more, and as such, are making more shifts.
AND — sometimes that also is happening b/c people just hope the grass is greener.
I’ve been in business for 15+ years and it hasn’t all been a rose garden. It’s required lots of pivots and shifts, but still within the ecosystem of my business. And like you said with your 27 year career (amazing!), it’s allowed you to create a level of mastery and wisdom that can only come when we commit to something long enough.
I always use the analogy of a swing that goes high in both directions — one extreme to another — and then starts to find a cadence that’s enjoyable. I think perhaps we’re in the process of swinging to extremes right now as we try to find our center again. And that is the messy middle (mixing my metaphors here - lol).
Anyway - it will be so interesting to see how these next few years shake out as we all navigate this new territory together. :)
Oh yes! I love the swing analogy. I do trust we (being the world) will land on it's feet where it's supposed to and to do that we need things to change which, as you said, doesn't look so good when it's happening. Your excellent article applies to everything really, not just work!
I really enjoyed reading this Stephanie, I think many people are reprioritising what is important to them, which may mean they are considering a bigger move. It's so true that anything that you've learnt, is not wasted and can be applied elsewhere. I feel as though we'll see a lot more shifts as we continue to raise consciousness and consider where we want to be. Thank you
Thanks for adding your thoughts Louise! I agree that we’re likely to see many more shifts to come. I’m hearing so many more people ask questions they were once too afraid to ask (like, what do I *really* want?).
YES YES YES. Thank you for including me. This message is SO important.
It really is. And nobody talks about it! Thanks for leading the conversation. 😊
Loved the flow of this article. It made me think. I truly believe that what we do each day/month/year, leads us to the next step rather than entrenching us. Thanks for making me think, as you always do.
Thanks Julie! I love that perspective of each thing we do leading us to the next thing. It can be hard to remember when we’ve invested so much in one way or one thing or one person, but it’s worth pursuing regardless. Thanks for adding your thoughts! :)