There are chapters in your career journey that feel like you’re at warp speed, careening around the bend hoping that you’re on the right track. The adrenaline and nerves of learning how to do new things, tackle business challenges, and solve customer needs require a lot of trips around the track and taking adequate pit stops (making the right adjustments or even changing drivers if you need to #upskilling#reskilling ). You might have an occasional spin out and drift – it’s ok. I’ve had that both figuratively and literally. This top photo is the time I let some industry friends talk me into a drifting ride-along during a once-in-a-lifetime experience at a conference years ago. I met people there that I still connect with today – building your network is so important.

Confidently Cruising

There are also chapters in your career where you’ll feel like you are confidently cruising. That you’ve hit your stride – you’ve done enough trips around a particular track that you know just what to do. You don’t come off as trying to sell anything because you now talk about the obvious path forward with contagious ease. Enjoy those seasons; a change in macro-economic conditions or customer preference is coming for ya 🙂 Your cruise will be short-lived; and if it’s not, you’re probably bored.

Your Mindset and Who You’re Hanging With

It’s been 25 years since my first internship from where I’m at today. Some of my biggest learns are that it’s your mindset, and who you’re caravanning with along the way, that will make the biggest difference in your career journey.

Are you anxiously careening around the bend at warp speed right now wondering if you’re on the right track? Find someone who has been there, done that, and let them help guide/support you.

Have you confidently hit your stride and are cruising? Maybe you are just the someone to help guide/support 🙂