Best Advice: Aim High – and Climb Step by Step

In this series, professionals share the words of wisdom that made all the difference in their lives. Follow the stories here and write your own (please include the hashtag #BestAdvice in the body of your post).

No matter where we are in our careers, I think we all get stuck from time to time. That happened to me a number of years ago. I felt uninspired and uncertain about where I wanted to go next. I decided to work with a coach to see if I could somehow spark my flagging energy. After he listened to me try to define my concerns, his response was quick and on-point. He immediately replied, "That's because your vision isn't big enough."

It made me think. What was my vision? What did I really want to be? I'd been working with women investors and had become a sort of torchbearer for this important and underserved group. I’d also recently taken over as president of Charles Schwab Foundation, a separate nonprofit organization that I was in the process of re-focusing around financial literacy. I was really proud of the work. But was that enough? When I closed my eyes and imagined my future, I knew I could do more. What I really wanted was to become a national expert on financial literacy and have a deep and positive impact on people’s lives. Crazy as it may sound, I wanted the White House to call me for advice. Now that was a big vision. But was it possible?

Of course I knew that if I wanted my vision to become reality, I couldn't just imagine it. I had to work to make it real. High hopes are great but action is essential. With my coach's counsel, I began vocalizing my dream. I talked to my team about how we could expand our reach. But it couldn't be just about me. It had to be bigger still. It was about how we could work as a group to make Schwab a standard bearer in the area of financial education.

We started with small steps. Our work with women investors and underserved teens opened doors to other opportunities. We created a plan that we thought was practical and achievable as a team. Thinking bigger and expanding our vision made us want to do even more; it was an inspiration to make things happen.

When I look back now on this time, and especially earlier in my career, I realize that I was very driven but unfocused. While my father had always been a role model, I spent a lot of time trying to find my own way. I started my career at Schwab, but then I left and worked for another company, and one experience had a profound effect on me. When my employer was hosting a golf tournament for clients, the women employees were asked to drive the golf carts for the caddies and dress in shorts. Fortunately, I was quite pregnant at the time so I was spared that indignity. But that experience taught me another valuable lesson. You have to believe in the company you work for. You have to share its values. So in a way the experience at the golf course shaped my future focus and ultimately shaped my vision.

I also learned a lot from my father. He showed me that you can be successful by doing the right thing, even if it’s not what’s expected. When he founded Schwab, he rejected the norm and followed his beliefs. In doing so, he gave me the permission — and the courage — to follow my beliefs.

So now my words of advice for those who want more in their careers and in their lives are these: think big, believe in yourself, work for a company you believe in, and be open to new experiences. Of course, you'll continue to have insecurities, but don't let that stop you. Success is about expanding your vision. Just make sure that vision expresses your true values.

By the way, I was eventually invited to the White House.

(0115-0545)

Carrie Schwab Pomerantz is president of Charles Schwab Foundation and senior vice president at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Member SIPC. Charles Schwab Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private foundation that is not part of Schwab or its parent company, The Charles Schwab Corporation.