At some point, many growth-minded leaders are surprised to discover that the vision that once compelled them forward no longer attracts them like it once did.
💡 Maybe you really love the work you’re doing and you don’t want to give it up.
💡 Maybe you learned something about the role or position you once sought, and something about it just doesn’t sit right with you any longer.
💡 Maybe you realize that you never personally wanted that vision in the first place, and you were really trying to live up to someone else’s dream the whole time.
💡 Or maybe you’re just tired of driving yourself so hard, and you want to be able to enjoy the success you’ve already achieved.
This can be a hard moment to face, but it is not at all unusual. You’re not broken for reaching this milestone; it’s actually quite common. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you think about how you want to deal with those thoughts.
1️⃣ Reflect on your values and passions. With the distraction of the old vision fading, what can you see now about what truly motivates you. At the end of this post, I’ll put a link to an exercise that can help you find and articulate your personal values.
2️⃣ Reframe your definition of success. Picture a new future vision that is fully aligned with the personal values as you now understand them.
3️⃣ Redirect your energy. Think about how much time and effort you put in to pursuing the old vision that no longer motivates you. With that out of the picture, what can you stop doing now to free up some of your energy? How can you invest that energy now in pursuing your new definition of success?
A word of caution: It’s important to talk through this change with those in your life who are important to you. At the same time, it’s also important to use discretion as you find someone safe to talk with. You might fear that this change of motivation creates some risk to the long-term value you offer your organization, or that they may perceive things that way. You may seek out a professional coach or mentor unrelated to your employment to help you process your thoughts and feelings to help you find a new compelling vision that aligns with your values.
If that’s where you find yourself, let’s talk. Visit https://stevedwire.com/connect for a complimentary conversation.
And visit https://northwayinsights.com/exercises for a free resource to help you find and articulate your personal values.
Leave a Reply