The thing about having 'it' all

Here’s a modern debate for you,’ is it possible to have it all’? Unsurprisingly, I have an opinion. Though, today I am interested in a slightly different version of the question.

What does ‘having it all’ mean to you?

lifegoals

I was recently speaking with a client who wanted to start working through the logical options of what their next career move could be, and without realising it, they had limited their answer to the above question in several ways.
Rooted within the response to ‘what is possible for you next?’ my client had:

  • narrowed their view of the range of career options available to them

  • narrowed what their personal life could be like

  • and narrowed how their career could fit into that 'life’ and support it


This unintentional attitude can be common once people decide they are ready for their next move because they start skipping the ‘why’ and jumping straight to ‘what’. So much opportunity is missed when we fail to pause and look at what our impetus for doing something is . Here’s what mine was for starting a career coaching business:

  • I help people to take a step back and see the possibilities.

  • I help people to work out what ‘having it all‘ means to them.

  • I help people to dream boldly about what they want their life (and career) to be.

Naming ‘it’ (e.g. your reason for leaving a secure job) is the first step to claiming it (e.g. your dream future). Then, and only then, is there value in being logical and making a change - that’s when we create a strategy to define what that next career move could be and how to make it.

Most people believe that career moves are logical, though they’re often highly intuitive. But ONLY if you allow them to be.

By tapping into your intuition, you can facilitate a career move that is aligned with who you are and create greater sense of fulfilment. The next time you’re thinking about a career move, pause and look at your wider life first - start by asking: what am I really trying to create? What roles could enable that?

P.S. Daring to define what you want your life to look like (including your next role) allows you to take steps towards it, rather than just looking for a logical move.