Hindsight's a wonderful thing, right?* After 25 years in corporate life, two significant career changes, and a journey from tech startups to career coaching, I've learned some hard-won lessons that I wish someone had shared with my bright-eyed 20-year-old self, fresh out of university. Here's the thing: I don't see these experiences as things that happened 'to' me anymore. I've flipped my thinking.

You've built a successful career over 10, 15, maybe 20 years. You've climbed the ladder, earned respect, built a reputation. People know you as "the lawyer," "the senior specialist," "the group manager." Your LinkedIn profile is impressive, your business cards are crisp, and your elevator pitch is polished. Then something happens.

Have you ever achieved everything on your career wishlist—the impressive title, the salary bump, maybe even that corner office—only to find yourself asking, "Is this it?" If you're nodding along, you're not alone. And more importantly, you might be dealing with what psychologist Tim Kasser calls "junk values."

Career growth isn't about becoming someone entirely different—it's about becoming more of who you already are at your best. The Inkling Effect approach to career decision-making centres on a powerful truth: your greatest potential lies in growing and expanding the skills, knowledge, and experience within your top 5-10 strengths.

For many professionals, saying no feels uncomfortable, even impossible.But what if saying no was the key to unlocking your career potential?

The workforce is changing faster than ever before. It’s crucial that we adapt our career to these inevitable changes - here's how!

First off, let's address the idea of the "right time." The truth is, there rarely is a perfect moment to make a big Career shift.

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a job you despise, yearning for change but unsure of how to proceed?