Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall—What Season Is Your Career In?

Your Season Doesn’t Define You—Your Response to It Does

The Frustration of Feeling Stuck

Early in my career, I faced what felt like constant change—new challenges, shifting expectations, and the pressure to perform at a higher level. Some seasons felt exciting, filled with new opportunities, while others felt like I was moving in slow motion, making little progress despite my best efforts.

I started feeling frustrated, questioning my ability and wondering if I was falling behind. But looking back, I realize something crucial:

I wasn’t stuck. I was simply in a different season than I thought.

I was expecting summer results while living in a winter season—wanting immediate success when I was in a time of preparation. This misalignment between expectation and reality led to frustration, doubt, and a restless mind.

Sound familiar?

Many professionals experience this when they step into a new role, take on a new team, or navigate career transitions. They expect one season but are actually in another. And when expectations don’t match reality, frustration takes over.

Misaligned Expectations Create Frustration

The real problem isn’t the work—it’s not recognizing the season you’re in.

• If you’re in winter—a season of preparation and rebuilding—but expecting immediate results, you’ll feel like you’re failing.
• If you’re in fall—where things are changing—but resisting transition, you’ll feel like you’re losing control.

When you don’t align your expectations with your season, stress follows. You may feel like giving up, making drastic changes, or questioning your career choices—not because you’re in the wrong field, but because you haven’t adjusted your mindset to match your season.

Every Career Has Seasons—Know Yours

Much like nature, your career moves in seasons. And each season requires a different mindset and strategy.

1. Winter (Preparation & Learning) – Early Career or Career Reset

• This season feels slow. It may seem like nothing is happening, but winter is where strong foundations are built.
• This is the time to develop skills, build character, and learn fundamentals that will prepare you for what’s next.
• If you’re in a leadership role, this might be a season of rebuilding a team, improving systems, or navigating organizational change.

2. Spring (Growth & Opportunity) – Emerging Leadership & Skill Expansion

• New opportunities begin to bloom. This is when networking, learning, and taking on new challenges will accelerate your growth.
• This is the time to plant seeds—apply for new roles, stretch your skillset, and be intentional about professional development.
• In this season, you don’t see instant results, but everything you do is setting you up for success.

3. Summer (Execution & Hard Work) – Mid-Career & Performance

• This is grind season—a time of intense work, delivering results, and pushing toward big goals.
• Many people burn out here because they expect quick wins, but summer is about sustained effort, not instant gratification.
• Consistency and endurance are key. This is where you prove your ability to execute at a high level.

4. Fall (Transition & Leadership Shift) – Senior Leadership & Legacy Building

• Change is coming—whether you like it or not. This could mean a promotion, a shift in leadership, or an entirely new challenge.
• Fall is about adaptation, mentoring others, and preparing for the next phase.
• Leaders in this season should focus on succession planning, strategic vision, and making an impact beyond their immediate role.

The key to success? Trust the process and align your mindset with your season. Don’t expect summer’s harvest when you’re still in winter’s preparation phase.

How to Respond to Your Season

1. Self-Awareness – Recognize Where You Are

• Are you in a season of learning, growing, executing, or transitioning?
• Stop comparing your season to someone else’s—your journey is unique.
• If you just started a new job or role, give yourself time to adjust. If things feel slow, maybe this is your winter.

2. Mindset & Action – Choose Empowering Stories

• The story you tell yourself determines your success.
• If you see winter as a setback, you’ll resist it. But if you see it as preparation, you’ll embrace it.
• Your actions follow your internal narrative. Shift your mindset, and your results will follow.

3. Resilience – Stay the Course

• You’re not stuck. You’re being prepared.
• No season lasts forever—but those who trust the process come out stronger.
• Even when progress isn’t visible, keep showing up, keep learning, and keep growing.

Your Response Shapes Your Future

The season you’re in today won’t last forever. But how you respond to this season will shape what’s next.

• If you’re in winter, lean into learning and preparation.
• If you’re in spring, embrace opportunities and take action.
• If you’re in summer, commit to the work, stay consistent.
• If you’re in fall, adapt, mentor, and prepare for transition.

Your season doesn’t define you. Your response to it does.

Know your season. Trust the process. Keep moving forward.