26 Comments
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Amanda Green's avatar

I love all of this, and #4 particularly resonates. Every time I've been laid off (which is a few times now, because I work in media), I've already know I'd outgrown the job. It doesn't make the sudden change any easier, though. I think about this line from Sloane Crosley's Grief Is For People a lot: "If you don't change, change will find you in its most unruly form. It will press down on your vulnerabilities until they squish out the edges. Life needs volunteers or else it will start calling on people at random."

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

That quote is crushing - too true 🫠

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Devan Hambrock's avatar

ahhhh, I love Sloane Crosley! I never see anyone talk about her!!!

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Amanda Green's avatar

She was so big — in my circle, anyway — awhile back and deserved all the hype. I love her take on grief.

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Justin Kolodziej (maybe Ann)'s avatar

Thinking I waited too long but also there's this parh I know I'm not prepared for now, but if I do prepare for a year there could be something to it thatm might satisfy my heart more than what I'm doing now.

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Susan Stoebner's avatar

#4 hit home with me too. I knew about a year into a job that it wasn't the right fit, but I kept seeing ways I could have an impact. I was fired 3.5 years into the job, when I was totally burnt out. It was a humbling lesson to trust my instincts.

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Taylor Evans-Kawchuk's avatar

This is such sound advice! Something I need to remind myself often as I wobble through my own life and career pivots.

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Ramon Rubio de Castro's avatar

Great article!!

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Thanks Ramon!

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(Alexandra) Apple's avatar

This is so real. I've found this to be true and cannot agree enough with how important it is to just put yourself out there..sharing ideas is how most of my businesses started. BEFORE a plan!! Before knowing WTF i was going...Thanks for this

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

yes yes yes - BEFORE a plan! That's the secret, share + observe

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Katharina's avatar

This resonates so much with me and where I currently am at. I will come back to this list in the months to come as I try and change my path.

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Jill Guidi Young's avatar

Wow, thank you for this. I am deep in a transition and nothing looks clear yet and I am like what did I just do! It's scary, and this was all great advice. And just helpful to remember other people have been here in the murky uncomfortable between times.

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

you will get clearer as time moves onwards - that one thing is true

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Let's Reset's avatar

This resonates! Something I've learnt - when I feel stuck, take action.

You typically learn and grow after you've made or done something, vs thinking about it.

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Yep, ya gotta keep moving

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Ashley Rudolph's avatar

I love this post!!!

When I look back at all my pivots or job changes, at the time I thought the question I was answering was “what should I do next?” But really I was asking myself “what would choosing myself look like” and the answer was almost always not staying in the position I was in. I’m glad I did it.

And you’re absolutely right - we love delusions over here!!!

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

haha delulu can only get you so far!

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Ashley Rudolph's avatar

Yes 😂 it’s definitely not a standalone strategy. I love your note about throwing your hat in the ring, making sure your work is seen, and going after things whether or not you believe you’re ready. I feel the exact same way.

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Gotta do it! I've had success on LinkedIn every time I yap (post) on there, I truly wish more people would share their ideas - so much hidden talent out there

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Devan Hambrock's avatar

#4 seems to be my superpower, I am the canary in the coal mine when it comes to sensing the demise of something before everyone else (specifically jobs or life paths) but that has led to a constant reinvention of my life, which then leads to the "choice paralysis" that #2 refers to.

#3, that idea of momentum and knowing what wave to grab on to is where I am currently at in life!

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

Bravo to you for having #4 under control - extremely helpful skill to have. exciting place to be with #3! Thanks for commenting

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Dot's avatar

Love this, I'm currently in the chaos but making moves and trying to get out there/get unstuck, create again and be seen. Watch this space, chaos is usually fun to see pan out.

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Kel Rakowski's avatar

You're doing all the right things!

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Jenna Murphy's avatar

This post found me right when I needed it. Great great advice, thanks a ton for sharing!

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Alex Ry's avatar

i’m in the midst of a big career detour. i’m not sure if it’ll be a long term thing, but for the moment, it’s paying the bills and preserving my creative energy. i know there are many lessons to be learned in this path, however long or short it might be. and i’m excited to see how it threads into my larger story !!

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