Episode 97 Is Your Career Happening by Accident? How to Take Back Control

Have you ever looked at your career and thought, “How did I actually end up here?”You’ve worked hard, progressed and taken opportunities, but perhaps your career has been shaped more by what happened around you than by what you deliberately chose.In this episode, Sarah explores five signs that your career may have become reactive rather than intentional, and shares three simple ways to start taking back control.You’ll discover why being successful at your job isn’t the same as actively managing your career, why your definition of success needs to evolve, and why you don’t need to have all the answers before you start exploring what could come next.Sarah also introduces her free 7-Day Career Reset, starting 25 September, designed to help you step back, get clearer about what you want and create a practical 90-day career plan.In this episodeWhy successful careers can still happen somewhat by accidentThe danger of letting the next opportunity set your career agendaWhy your definition of career success can change over timeWhy waiting to feel completely ready can keep you stuckThe difference between doing a great job and managing your careerWhy being too busy to think about your career can become a career problemThree ways to take back more control of your careerHow the 7-Day Career Reset can help you create space to think about what’s next Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck & Unstoppable 01:30 – How did I end up here? Why a successful career can still leave you questioning whether you’re on the right path.03:00 – Sign 1: Your career is driven by the next opportunity What happens when promotions, recruiters and organisational changes are setting the agenda.04:00 – Taking control through clarity Why knowing what you want makes it easier to recognise the right opportunities and say no to the wrong ones.04:40 – Sign 2: You’re measuring success by someone else’s scorecard Why job title, salary and responsibility aren't necessarily the things that define career success for you now.06:00 – Your career success criteria can change How your priorities can evolve as your career and life change.07:30 – Sign 3: You’re waiting to feel ready Why waiting for more confidence, experience, clarity or time can lead to procrastination.09:00 – Sign 4: You’re great at your job, but not at managing your career The difference between delivering brilliantly in your role and actively looking after your visibility, relationships, reputation and ambitions.10:30 – Sign 5: You’re too busy to think about your career Why there will always be something competing for your attention and why you need to create space for career thinking.11:45 – Three ways to take back control Make time for regular career thinking, get curious about what success means to you now, and create space before your next big career decision.13:30 – Introducing the 7-Day Career Reset What’s included in Sarah’s free seven-day reset, starting 25 September.15:00 – From career reflection to a 90-day plan How the Reset can help you move from thinking about your career to taking practical action.16:00 – Final thoughts A reminder not to let your career simply drift and happen by accident.Join the 7-Day Career Reset on 25 September.Over seven days, you’ll get short coaching emails, a Career Clarity Planner and optional five-minute podcast coaching sessions to help you step back, get clearer about what you want and create a practical 90-day plan.It takes just 10–15 minutes a day.Find the link in the show notes and join Sarah and hundreds of other women taking some time to put their careers back on the agenda.Useful LinksSign Up for The 7 Day Career ResetSign up for Weekly Career InspirationLearn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching ProgrammesBook a Free 121 Clarity CallJoin The Love What You Do Facebook GroupConnect with Sarah on LinkedInRate & Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.ukMentioned in this episode:Sign up For Free 7 Day Career ResetClick Here to sign up for Free 7 Day Career Reset: https://www.careertreecoaching.co.uk/7-day-career-reset