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- ☕ Cup of Ambition- Volume 14: 🦃Turkey Talk & Pivots.
☕ Cup of Ambition- Volume 14: 🦃Turkey Talk & Pivots.
Kelly Roehm
November 21, 2024
Hi, Realists! 👋
Welcome to Cup of Ambition, Volume 14.
In this edition, you’ll get the scoop on:
‼️‼️ 9-to-5 Dilemma: Am I Too Old to Start Over?
🦃 So, What Do You Do? (Nailing Turkey Table Talk).
📌 2024 Coach Awards Career Coach of the Year Voting.
🦁 Separate Your Worth From Your Work.
NEW THIS WEEK: Ambition Accelerators (3 Quick Career Cheat Codes).
9-to-5 Dilemma.
“What age is too old to start over in your career? I've been working in the same industry with the same title for 15-20 years and am so over it. These can't be the same careers our parents and grandparents had, in which they worked for decades and retired. I am so over this work, bored, and just drained. This career wasn't even something I trained for, I just fell into it, learned it, and have been here ever since. Is it dumb to start over now? How would I even start something new? Am I just supposed to keep doing the same thing forever?”
-Old(er) and Over It.
What’s your current 9-to-5 dilemma? Send your story to: [email protected]
When you think you’re too old to pivot, remember you will never be younger than you are now. Starting over isn’t about your age; it’s about your vision for your future and what you want from your work life. Feeling stuck, drained, or uninspired is your cue to make a change—not a signal that you’re out of options.
Let’s put it into perspective: Some of the most iconic women started over, not in their 20s, but in their 30s, 40s, and beyond:
Julia Child didn’t even pick up a whisk until she was in her late 30s. Her first cookbook? Published at age 50!
Vera Wang started her bridal design business at 40. She’d already had careers in figure skating and journalism before that!
Toni Morrison wrote her first novel at 39 while working full-time as an editor and raising two sons as a single mom. She didn’t win the Nobel Prize until decades later.
These women didn’t let their age or previous careers define their future. They used their lived experiences and the skills they’d built to start something new.
How to Take Action:
1. Get Honest About What You Want:
Reflect on what feels missing in your current role: creativity, purpose, or autonomy.
Write down what you're drawn to, even if it feels unrealistic.
Identify your strengths and how they might apply to something new.
2. Get Inspired:
Learn from others: research stories of people like Julia, Vera, and Toni who made successful pivots.
Connect with people in your network who've transitioned careers
Follow industry leaders or professionals in roles you admire for insight and clarity.
3. Build a Bridge, Not a Leap:
Starting over doesn’t mean throwing everything away. Your 15-20 years of experience are assets, not baggage.
Leverage your years of experience as assets, not obstacles.
Focus on transferable skills: problem-solving, leadership, communication, and adaptability.
Take small steps before fully committing: start a side hustle, enroll in a short course, or volunteer in the field you're curious about.
4. Expand Your Network:
Tell people in your circle that you’re exploring a change. Sometimes, opportunities come from the most unexpected conversations.
Empowering Reminder
Starting over isn’t foolish—it’s courageous. It’s about choosing fulfillment over comfort. Picture your future self in five years:
Will you wish you had started, or will you celebrate leaping?
Rooting for you,
Kelly
Vote for Me: 2024 Career Coach of the Year!
If you’ve found value in my guidance, insights, or support along the way, I’d be honored to have your vote. The winner will be announced in a virtual award ceremony on December 18.
Click here to vote—your support means a lot to me!
Owning the Thanksgiving Table Conversation
Why This Matters
Let’s talk about that one question that comes up at every Thanksgiving table: “So, what do you do for work?”
Whether it’s your grandma, your cousin, or your aunt who can’t believe you’re still “doing that computer thing,” this is a golden opportunity to practice your value proposition.
What’s a Value Proposition Anyway?
It’s a short, clear, and compelling way to describe what you do, why it matters, and the impact you bring. Think of it as your personal elevator pitch—one that even your grandma can understand (no glazed-over looks allowed).
Why Thanksgiving Is the Perfect Practice Ground:
Low-Stakes Environment: Your family loves you no matter how clunky your first attempt sounds.
Diverse Audience: Explaining your work to someone outside your industry ensures it’s clear, concise, and jargon-free.
Immediate Feedback: If they nod and engage, you’re on the right track. If they ask, “So… you’re still working with computers?”—it’s time to tweak your delivery.
How to Craft Your Thanksgiving Value Proposition:
Start With the Basics:
What do you do? (Your role or area of expertise)
Why does it matter? (The problem you solve or value you bring)
What’s the impact? (Who benefits and how)
Example:
Instead of: “I’m in marketing.”
Try: “I help companies grow by creating marketing strategies that connect them with the right customers.”
Make It Relatable:
Use simple language that resonates. Replace “synergies cross-functional collaboration” with “help teams work together better.” We’re not talking about shareholder value and cross-functional collaboration here—what are the core elements of your work that are clear and relatable?
Keep It Short and Sweet:
Aim for 1-2 sentences max. If someone wants more detail, they’ll ask!
Let’s Workshop a Few Examples:
Before: “I’m a software engineer.”
After: “I design apps that make everyday tasks—like grocery shopping or scheduling appointments—easier for people.”
Before: “I work in development for a nonprofit.”
After: “I raise funds for programs that gives kids access to after-school activities and mentorship.”
Creative Example:
Before: “I’m a graphic designer.”
After: “I help brands tell their stories visually through design and marketing materials.”
This Week’s Challenge:
Write down your value proposition and bring it to the Thanksgiving table. Watch how your audience reacts:
Are they asking follow-up questions? Great! It means they’re engaged.
Are they looking confused? Adjust your language to make it simpler.
By the end of dinner, you’ll have a refined pitch that’s clear, compelling, and ready.
It’s Time to De-Center Yourself From Work
Too often, we let our jobs consume our identities, emotions, and self-worth. It’s easy to feel like every missed deadline, poorly handled meeting or company-wide pivot is a personal failure. But here’s the truth: You are not your job title.
Why You Should De-Center Yourself From Work:
1. Work Isn’t Fully in Your Control:
So much of what happens at work—shifting priorities, difficult coworkers, layoffs, or even bad leadership—is outside of your control. Carrying the emotional weight of these things is exhausting and unnecessary.
Instead of personalizing these issues, remind yourself: I’m here to exchange my time, talent, and expertise for compensation. That’s it. You’re not here to fix every broken system or absorb every workplace frustration.
2. You Are More Than Your Job:
Your job title isn’t your identity. It’s one part of your life, not the whole thing. Whether you’re a CEO or an entry-level associate, your worth isn’t tied to what you do for work—it’s tied to who you are outside of it.
3. Emotional Labor Isn’t Part of Your Job Description:
Your job requires your skills, knowledge, and expertise—not your emotional energy. You don’t need to play therapist to your boss, smooth over every interpersonal issue, or constantly go above and beyond just to prove your worth.
How to De-Center Yourself from Work:
1. Set Boundaries:
Decide what’s worth your energy and what’s not. For example:
Responding to emails after hours? Not worth it.
Communicating expectations to your team? Worth it.
2. Practice Emotional Detachment:
When something goes wrong, ask yourself:
Is this my responsibility?
Can I control the outcome?
If the answer is no, let it go. You can still care about your work without letting it consume you.
3. Reframe How You See Work:
Think of your job as a transactional relationship: You provide time, skills, and expertise in exchange for compensation. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy your work or care about its impact—it just means you don’t have to give all of yourself to it.
4. Cultivate an Identity Outside of Work:
Build hobbies, relationships, and routines that bring you joy.
Spend time on things that remind you of your value beyond your career.
3 Career Quick Actions for This Week
🔹 Boundary-Setting Tip:
When someone pushes a last-minute request, respond with: “Happy to help—here’s when I can fit it in unless something else can wait.” It shows willingness without sacrificing your priorities.
🔹 Career Growth Tip:
Schedule a 15-minute “career check-in” with yourself. Use this time to reflect on your progress, note accomplishments, and identify areas where you want to grow. Little steps keep long-term goals in sight.
🔹 Resume Refresh:
Avoid overloading your resume with every task you’ve ever done. Review your resume and re-focus on your top 3-5 achievements in each role. Quality > quantity.
Dollyism.
Don’t Be a Stranger!
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