New Year, New Career Starts With This One Question
Every year - usually around November - I have a very similar conversation with leaders who are done.
Not “a bit tired.”
Not “ready for holidays.”
Done.
They want to resign. Quit. Burn it all down and start again.
And honestly? Most of the time, I encourage them to get to the end of the year before they make a knee-jerk move.
Because November is a notorious mix of:
- accumulated fatigue
- decision overload
- the pressure of unfinished targets
- and a nervous system that’s been running on fumes for months
In other words… it’s often burnout talking.
But…
Sometimes it isn’t just exhaustion.
Sometimes the end-of-year crash simply reveals what you’ve been trying not to notice all year.
So if you’ve had a break, the calendar has rolled over, and you’re still thinking:
“I can’t do another year of this…”
Then yes. Let’s talk about a new career.
The question that can change everything:
If you could wave your magic wand and remove the pressure, the politics, the people-pleasing, and the fear… would you still choose this career?
Sit with that.
Because this question does two powerful things:
- It separates burnout from misalignment
- It helps you stop making decisions from survival mode
If the honest answer is, “Yes - I still want this path, just not like this,” then the work isn’t “escape.”
It’s redesign.
Redesign your boundaries. Your role. Your workload. Your environment. Your leadership.
But if the honest answer is, “No… not even with the pressure removed,” then you’re not failing.
You’re evolving.
And that’s not a crisis. That’s information.
Before you quit, do this first
If you’re considering a career shift this year, don’t start with the resignation letter.
Start with clarity.
Ask yourself:
- What exactly am I done with - the work, the workplace, or the way I’m working?
- When do I feel most like myself at work?
- What am I craving: rest, growth, meaning, freedom, challenge… or all of it?
- What am I no longer willing to trade my life for?
This will help you with some honest direction.
If this is your year to change, don’t do it alone
Career transitions can be exciting… and also messy.
Because when you’re a capable leader, you can talk yourself into staying for all the “responsible” reasons.
And you can talk yourself out of leaving because it feels risky.
That’s where career coaching helps.
Real clarity, strategy, and confident next steps.
If you’re sitting there thinking, “This year has to be different,” I’d love to support you.
Message me and we’ll book a career coaching conversation to unpack what’s really going on - and map the next move that actually fits you.
#MichelleSalesLeadership #RealLeadership #LeadershipCoaching #CareerCoaching
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