I was a coward back in BlackRock.

If you knew me then, you might’ve encountered a bubbly girl from Columbia who’d spend long hours crunching data and think - here’s a driven girl who’s set on climbing the corporate ladder.

And I was ambitious!

But I was also a coward.

Because for 7 years, I’d had the nagging feeling that I wasn’t at the right place or the right job.

I was unhappy but I just couldn’t quit.

Or wouldn’t quit, to be more precise, until it all got too much.

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So when people comment on how brave I was to pursue my dreams, I can’t help but think that truthfully, I’m not.

I’m the most risk-averse person you’ll ever meet.

I knew early on at BlackRock that it wasn’t for me, but it took me 7 years to quit.

During those 7 long years, I tried my best to stick to the ‘safest’ path, i.e.:

✅ Move into different roles to find a better fit; and
✅ Move to different offices.

In fact, I only quit after being promoted to VP because I wanted a way back into finance in case things didn’t work out!

My next move was to join a startup but even that was an intentional move. I had:

✅ Done a ton of research
✅ Spoken to many people in the startup world
✅ Gotten my finances in order so that I knew I wouldn’t be out on the streets if things didn’t work out.

I did even more prep and research before becoming an entrepreneur.

That included taking on some clients while still holding a full-time job, and building out my network with my Ctrl Alt Career podcast.

So you see?

What appears like a ‘brave’ decision to take the leap was actually one that was slowly, carefully thought out.

I don’t make decisions blindly or emotionally.

But that’s just me.

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Nowadays, I’ve met and worked with a number of people who have voluntarily quit their jobs with no safety net or plan.

From my conversations, I’ve concluded that many of them are quitting because:

✅ Their job doesn’t align with their values

✅ They believe that there is more to life than “just work”

✅ They know that they need the space to figure it all out.

Even if it means quitting without a job lined up which remains inconceivable to me - and I’m someone who has pivoted my career 3 times to date!

This just goes to show that everyone has different risk appetites, life goals and values.

So long as you know exactly who you are and put that first when deciding on what job to take (and not take), then you’ll likely be on the right path.

It might not be the final destination, but it is just right for you at this very moment.

So be clear on who you are.

What you care about most.

And make those things a priority.

Because if you don’t, then who will?


P/S: If you need help finding and pivoting into a career that’s perfect for you, then contact me PRIORITY. Don’t let the rest of your 2024 go to waste!