I worked really hard to get here. I studied well, went to good schools. I gave everything—often without allowing myself to rest or enjoy life. I got the job I wanted. Things were finally starting to click. I could see the finish line. And then the economy shifted. Suddenly, the path I had been following started to disappear.
I was scared. What about all those years of effort? Was it all falling apart? I remember thinking, No, not now, not here. I felt so close. I couldn’t believe this was how things might end.
I blamed the economy. I blamed the job market. I worked even harder to stand out, to survive. But nothing seemed to improve. I started to question myself. Maybe I’m not as good as I thought. Maybe I was just lucky. Maybe I was dreaming too big.
Have you felt like this before? If so, you’re definitely not alone. This was me during the 2008 financial crisis, trying to transition from academia to industry.
And I hear similar stories now. Over and over again.
If I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be: It’s okay. It’s going to work out. Just maybe not in the way you imagined.
What if your dream is still guaranteed, but the path looks different than you expected?
Here are some ideas that helped me back then, and might help you now:
1. Build Internal Abundance
This is about strengthening your inner foundation so that you make decisions from clarity, not fear. It's not just about mindset. It's about tangible, everyday practices that restore your energy and reinforce your self-trust.
Invest in yourself
Don't just wait for your company to offer a course. Choose a skill you're curious about, or say yes to an experience that stretches you. Whether it's joining a leadership cohort, working with a coach, or giving yourself permission to attend a conference, treat your development like the strategic investment it is.
Build a savings buffer
Having six to twelve months of runway, without depending on a job, can be life-changing. It gives you freedom. You can say no to bad fits, explore bigger opportunities, and hold boundaries that protect your energy. You think more clearly when you're not operating from fear.
Rest regularly and move your body daily
Some of your best ideas won't come while you're grinding at your desk. They’ll come when you’re walking, dancing, stretching, or even doing nothing. Movement clears emotional static. Rest creates the space for insights to land.
Track your wins
Imposter syndrome doesn’t vanish just because you achieve more. Keep a "brag document" to log your impact, the praise you’ve received, and the moments you felt proud. It’s not vanity. It’s evidence. Especially when you’re in a culture that may not always see your value.
2. Step Into Your Power
This is about how you carry yourself and how you talk about your work. It’s about claiming your seat at the table, and realizing it was never about waiting to be invited.
Learn from masters
Seek people who’ve done what you dream of. People who’ve walked through rooms where they were the only one, asked for more when it felt risky, and built careers with staying power. Learn from them. Ask questions. Be inspired. Grow your power.
Assume you belong
Stop looking for proof you deserve to be there. Walk in knowing your presence adds value, because it does. Your perspective, intelligence, and experience matter. When you believe that, others start to as well.
Show up with peer energy
This isn’t arrogance. It’s grounded confidence. Walk into meetings not trying to prove yourself, but ready to contribute. You're not there to earn your seat. You're there to use it.
Celebrate the 'no'
We often hold back, afraid of hearing "no." So we don’t ask for what we need: a promotion, a raise, a stretch role, a pause. But every time we don’t ask, we reinforce limits. A "no" isn’t the end. It just means not this way or not right now. Shift what you ask. Ask again later. Keep asking. You don’t get to the big "yes" without hearing some "no" along the way.
3. Design an Abundant Career
The goal isn’t just survival. It’s about creating a career that’s spacious, evolving, and aligned with who you are. That means being proactive, not reactive.
Join a room full of bold women
Find people who stretch you. People who normalize ambition, challenge your ideas, and cheer for you when you doubt yourself. Network with intention. Build your personal support system. Join industry groups or programs like the Women Leaders Club, spaces where growth is shared and support is built-in. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Diversify your opportunities
One job title shouldn’t define your value or your future. Learn about other roles. Speak. Advise. Write. Take on side projects. Start small, but start. Creating multiple ways to express your talents gives you more stability and more room to grow.
Turn your insights into assets
If you’ve figured something out that others are still struggling with, don’t keep it to yourself. Document it. Share it. Make it a talk, a blog post, a framework. When your ideas live beyond you, they amplify your visibility and your impact.
Own your edge
Our roles are changing. Traditional paths are dissolving, and new ones are being created every day. Don’t focus only on fitting into what exists. Start shaping what doesn’t yet. Your background, personality, and perspective are your strengths. Use them. That’s how you stand out.
You don’t have to wait for the world to calm down before you move forward. You just need to start where you are, with clarity, courage, and a few intentional steps.
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