When “Just Do It” Is The Worst Decision For Your Career
Clara Chorley
I help senior leaders advance confidently into exciting mission-driven opportunities | 15+year Executive Career Coach | TEDx Speaker | Author: TURN
Welcome to the "Executive Career Accelerator" Newsletter! If you are new here, ?? click SUBSCRIBE to keep receiving notifications on how get back to your best self, and to be valued for your best work - without compromising your health or time with loved ones. If you find this information insightful, please hit the share.
When stuck between wanting to make a professional change and not being sure if the timing is right, you might find yourself feeling pressure to “just get off the fence!”
Perhaps you’ve talked about your professional struggles for more than a year.
With friends, partners, your therapist, coach, the mirror, and even the ceiling.
Deep down, you were ready to leave this role a while ago.
And now—with your research at saturation point—it’s time to find that next opportunity, and give notice.
But you’re still delaying.
You’ve Been Sold a Lie
We live in a society that values rational planning.
When you’ve done your thorough analysis, research, and planning—the dominant narrative and expectation from colleagues and friends says the next step is to “just do it.”
Just leave the job—maybe even just leave the relationship.
“Just.”
As if the hard work’s been done, and what’s left is the simple part.
But every decision you make in life is made up of a multitude of small ones.
A Story: The Move That Took Decades
Years ago, after living in one of my favorite US cities for over a decade I wanted to move to Senegal. A lifelong dream and a conversation I’d been exhausting my friends with for almost as long.
I went back and forth about going. I was deeply scared of the impact on my business, the friendships I’d lose, my financial stability, being all alone in a faraway place…?
Ultimately that such a big move, full of so many unknowns would go very, very wrong.
The final decision to move wasn’t “just buy the ticket” or “just tell my friends.” It was a combination of giving up my home, giving away my belongings, preparing clients, hiking the hills one last time, and relishing final in-person meals and adventures with friends.
And then I shared my move publicly.?
Up until then—somewhere in the back of my mind—I suppose I still had the option to back out.
I remember clicking on that post.
Feeling flooded with every emotion.?
Tears poured down my face, giddiness and deep pain danced together in my heart, and I felt the clarity and energy of freedom-from-the-fence.
I could not have made the final decision to move 6,500 miles away on a one-way ticket without the support of my friends - coming to say goodbye, driving sometimes hours & flying in for a farewell party hug, crying right along with me.?
Nor without my coach - to process what the heck I’d just done, hold space for all that it stirred up, and ensure I was being strategic with business decisions.
It took a village and a final deep brave breath.
Final Decisions Are Not A Box Check
Recent data reveals significant mental health challenges among senior leaders in corporate America. According to the American Psychological Association's 2023 Work in America Survey, 22% of workers reported harm to their mental health at work, with senior leaders being particularly vulnerable due to high stress levels and the demands of their roles.?
Additionally, the CDC highlights that 71% of workers now expect their employers to support mental health, emphasizing the growing importance of substantive workplace wellness initiatives.
These statistics illustrate the pressure senior leaders face, often leading to burnout, anxiety, and even physical health issues.?
With this in the background, it’s no wonder that the bandwidth for complex life decisions might feel limited.
To leave your job, there’s a particular conversation that has to happen. As well as a committed search for a new opportunity, and navigating the potential risks of not finding something in time, or losing your job if someone discovers you’re searching, or…
Because the take-the-leap moment may be the most visceral decision of all the decisions, a “just-do-it” approach isn't fair on your nervous system, your heart, your finances, or the life you've already poured into that chapter.
You’re Not Leaving Because Of The Things You Love
We all need support moving up to, through, and beyond the loss and letting go; the hope and excitement - all while taking well planned action.
Because leaving what doesn’t work, also requires leaving what does.
You love your team.
You love much of the work you’re doing.
You love what you’ve accomplished.
You’re not leaving because of the things you love.
You’re leaving because you want to build something. You don't want to pretend that everything’s okay any longer.
You’re leaving because of the things that are breaking you down, and preventing you from growing and having the impact you want. You’re leaving because you’ve lost enough of you. You want to feel happy and healthy again.
You want to look back and feel proud because you trusted your gut and made the true brave move.
领英推荐
You want to be present with your children, start eating healthy again, and get back on the pickle ball court.
You probably know what you need to “do”.
It’s emotional overwhelm that activates delay.
It’s Not About Being Fearless
Research by Brené Brown highlights how critical it is for leaders, especially women, to address the emotional vulnerabilities tied to these decisions.?
Brown emphasizes that the courage to make these changes isn't about being fearless—it's about embracing vulnerability and making decisions that align with your core values and well-being.
Include alignment with your finances and capacity. and the formula is a winning one.
These core elements make up the foundation of a move that truly advances you, rather than propelling you into another fire.?
Transitions like these are about way more than a series of strategic action steps.
Skilled coaching enables you to embrace the vulnerability - holds your hand and lovingly holds space for your tears, anger and excitement as you follow a clear roadmap right to the vision in your heart.?
Otherwise stop-start, second-guessing, moments of blinding clarity, and the strong desire to run away can end up dominating your experience.?
Sometimes for years.
This is why I designed my Career Clarity Catalyst program specifically to help senior leaders navigate these types of challenges.?
Providing a skilled sounding board space with strategic career planning, and practical emotional-mindset support.
One without the other doesn’t work.
How To Find The Best Support For You
If you’ve been delaying for more than a couple of years, it’s likely that support would bolster you to move forwards.
Disclaimer: I know you might feel you don’t have bandwidth for this kind of research, but I promise you – prioritize this now, and you’ll save energy, time and regret in the long run.
First, clarify more specific needs:
Next, now you know what you’re looking for – do the research. Ask your network, search online, discreetly see if your organization has resources.?
Don’t settle.?
Interview at least five coaches.
Allow your inner committee to choose - when your head, heart and gut are on-board, you have your answer. In other words - when the choice makes sense to you, you feel excited and a little scared, and your intuition is calm… that’s probably your person.
Even if you’re a year or so away from making a move, the sooner you start the easier it will be on you, and the more time you have to thoughtfully plan and move at a sustainable pace.
“Just do it” denies the complexity of big bridge life decisions, turning them into a checklist item. This adds enormous pressure because it shuts out the emotional journey.?
The head loves to forge forward.
Senior leaders love to forge forward.
But the heart calls for validation, witness, acknowledgement, and a sense of sturdiness to navigate the knowns and unknowns.
The heart needs to know that those you’ve cared for will be okay, that what you’ve built won’t crumble, and that the next step really will be into something better.?
As a leader, you’ve accomplished a lot – alone. But I bet your biggest growth was enabled by the support of others.
This is no different.?
If you're a senior leader and deep down know it’s time to find out if you can advance where you are - or make a change, I’d love to meet you. Let’s see if my program: The Career Clarity Catalyst program can help. Schedule your discovery call here .
About Clara
Clara Chorley is the founder of Clarity Unlimited and an Executive Career Coach. She helps successful senior leaders get back to their best selves and be valued for their best work. Work where they shine, are compensated well, and have the autonomy and buy-in to succeed - while taking care of themselves and honoring the relationships that matter most. She has helped leaders from a variety of industries including technology, finance, energy, HR and healthcare - make exciting career upgrades that align with their values and priorities.
Her diverse international professional background and education, plus personal journey back from burnout means she deeply understands the strategy, psychology, pacing, and personalized approach required to see a great-fit professional change all the way through. Clara is on a mission to empower our best business leaders to excel and be recognized for their contributions – to elevate more good people to positions of power and drive positive, sustainable change in workplace culture and overall organizational impact.
"If you're a senior leader wanting to get unstuck and advance some exciting professional goals, I’m here to help. Let’s get you back to your best self, and bring your professional dream to life!"
Principal Owner/Founder
3 个月Clara: Your professional knowledge and ideas are very helpful. Thank you.