Recently I coached with a Mandy*, a career-direction client who is now riding a wave of creative energy. Within just a couple of months, she created an income-generating project, formed a collaborative professional relationship, began exercising daily, and started an ambitious art project.

This was a huge change from when we first met. In our initial coaching session, Mandy was visibly weighed down, burdened by her high-powered, high-status career that she did not like. She had spent years working her way up to the top of the ladder, and she was torn. She wanted out badly but didn’t know if she could abandon what she’d worked so hard to achieve.

In the next weeks, as we worked together, Mandy was able to get clear about who she was, what she liked, and what she was naturally good at. She also recognized that as an introvert, she needed quiet time to process, and she began incorporating this into her days. Despite pressure from people around her to stay, she did indeed leave her high-powered career. Once she left it behind, she found that she was filled with energy, which she is right now using to jet herself into a life that feels so much more like her own.

Mandy’s story illustrates the power of doing things that fit who you are. Many people might think her choice to leave her high-powered job is risky, but the opposite may be true. Her “safe” job was sucking her dry, leaving her depleted in all parts of her life. Now that she’s left, she has so much excitement and creative energy that she wakes early every day, ready to dive into her labors of love.

I don’t know about you, but I’m inspired by Mandy. She’s reminded me to look again to see how I can tap into my own creative energy by finding more ways to live and work authentically. And if it would help to have support and guidance as you find your way to a career that lights you up, I’m happy to talk.

*Name and identifying details tweaked for Mandy’s privacy

Photo by Rafal Szczawinski @ unsplash.com