“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important what you become by achieving your goals.” —Henry David Thoreau
We are human beings, not human doings, but we often end up trapped defining ourselves by what we do, rather than who we are. When the external markers for our self-definition change, as they inevitably will, we can find ourselves adrift. Rather than embracing the changes we’re faced with, we fight them, rail against them or swallow them in despair.
Whether you are transitioning out of a company, selling a business or changing your current role right where you are, recognizing that change is the only constant, then figuring out how to navigate that change is the first step toward re-framing your life. That re-frame also provides you with an opportunity to break free of the trap of self-definition that may have limited you, as a person, in the past.
Deep into your public life as an executive, the change you are confronting can be a chance to establish yourself on a larger stage, as a mentor and influencer, not just someone who sits behind a desk or attends endless meetings. It’s a time for you to evolve into the next stage of your personal empowerment in all aspects of your life, not just your career.
Change can be challenging, but it brings with it opportunity, and not just the practical opportunity you might associating with your career. This is the opportunity to take a deeper dive into you, as a person, exploring those aspects of yourself that you may have set aside or ignored in order to get where you are as a professional. You’ve done the doing—now it’s time to embrace the being.
If you feel you need a fresh set of eyes to guide you on your professional journey, or you’re ready to move into a new phase of your life, reach out to me, so we can explore the possibility of working together to bring you into a richer and even more fulfilling experience of life.