We build our own reality—and that includes our careers. Too often, wonderfully talented people think and play small. They underestimate their abilities, shy away from self-promotion, and unconsciously limit their own potential. If you’ve ever felt stuck or found yourself thinking, “I know I can do more,” you’re not alone. So much brilliant, untapped potential is all around us—and within us.
Many people believe that organisations simply can’t find the right talent, but that’s rarely the real issue. In truth, there’s an abundance of talent—it’s just not always recognised, developed, or fully owned by the individuals themselves. Employers and employees alike need to adopt a more collaborative and personalised approach to career growth. But the great news is: you can take ownership of your journey and start today. Here are three steps to consider.
Step One – Know Yourself Deeply
Getting to know yourself on a deeper level isn’t easy—it requires time, honesty, and intention. Many of us are caught in busy, transactional lives filled with responsibilities, to-do lists, and obligations. But beneath the surface, most of us crave more meaning—in our work, our relationships, and our daily lives.
To access that, we must celebrate what’s working, acknowledge where we’ve let ourselves down, and recommit to our personal growth journey. It might be uncomfortable, but that discomfort leads to clarity and power.
Self-awareness is the cornerstone of growth. Whether through self-reflection, journaling, mindfulness, or coaching conversations—carving out time to understand your values, strengths, needs and goals is essential. It allows you to align your actions and choices with what matters most.
Step Two – Know What You Want and Why
Don’t be afraid to dream big. In fact, it takes just as much energy to aim small as it does to aim high. One of the most common challenges I see with coaching clients is how quickly they scale down their dreams before they’ve even had a chance to explore them.
They get caught up in logistics—time, cost, family commitments—and start eliminating options. This leaves them immobilised and uninspired, stuck in careers that don’t reflect their true potential.
Here’s the truth: Your dream career deserves to be fully imagined. The practicalities and constraints can be addressed later. Give yourself permission to play, to explore, to visualise.
Think of it like your dream home. You wouldn’t design your ideal home by starting with a tight budget and restrictions—you’d begin with a vision. Spacious, light-filled, beautifully designed, inspiring. The same applies to your career vision. Let it inspire you first, then work backwards from there.
Take time to:
- Reflect on what energises and fulfils you
- Consider what kind of impact you want to have
- Explore what a career aligned with your values would look and feel like
Use both your head and your heart. Let logic and emotion inform your decisions. Let intuition guide you as much as strategy. Read ‘What Is Your BIG CAREER WHY? What Next?’
Step Three – Build the Belief to Take Action
Knowing what you want is one thing—believing you can have it is another.
Self-belief is the fuel that turns vision into reality. And yet, for many, this is the hardest step. Fear, self-doubt, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome can all stand in the way.
Ask yourself:
- What am I waiting for?
- When will be the right time to go after the career or business I truly want?
- Am I prepared to keep waiting, or am I ready to take control now?
If you’re not sure what’s holding you back, it may be time to explore your blockers. These can be external (real) or internal (perceived). Either way, they have the power to derail your progress—unless you identify them and put strategies in place to move through them.
Start with:
- Journaling your fears or doubts
- Downloading a career blocker worksheet (or creating your own)
- Working with a coach or mentor to gain clarity and accountability
Blockers are common when you’re:
- Changing jobs or careers
- Moving into a more senior role
- Launching a new business or side venture
The key is to understand that blockers don’t define you. With the right tools, you can shift your mindset, build your confidence, and move forward with clarity and courage.
Final Thoughts
We all have choices. And while life can be busy and overwhelming, your career—and your sense of purpose—deserve your attention.
When you invest in your personal and career growth, you build more than just skills. You build self-worth, confidence, financial empowerment, and a deeper sense of fulfilment.
You already have everything you need within you to grow, thrive, and lead with purpose.
Start today. Believe bigger. Act boldly.
Need support? Book a complimentary career or executive coaching session &/ or download our free Career Blocker & Limiting Beliefs Worksheet below to start identifying what’s holding you back—and how to overcome it.
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