You’re Not Stuck. You’re Just Between Chapters.
There was a moment—late at night, a few years back—when I sat alone in my home office, surrounded by to-do lists, emails I hadn’t responded to, a looming deadline, and the deafening silence of feeling stuck.
On paper, everything was going well. I had a successful career. I was earning respect and recognition. I had my dream job. But internally, I felt stalled. Like I was standing in the hallway between two doors: one I had already closed and another I wasn’t sure how to open.
It took me a long time to realize something that changed everything for me, and I want to share it with you in case you’re standing in that same hallway.
Life and Career Aren’t Straight Lines. They’re Stories.You’re not stuck. You’re just between chapters.
I used to think that success was a ladder. Climb one rung, then the next. Get the title. Close the deal. Earn the recognition. But that’s not how it works—not really.
Success is a story. And like any story worth telling, there are plot twists. There are chapters where everything clicks. And there are chapters where everything feels like it’s falling apart or moving in slow motion.
I’ve had both.
There was the chapter where I was struggling personally and driving 2 hours per day to work in a hostile and toxic work environment.
There was the chapter where I was laid off twice in 2 years and had to reinvent myself completely at age 35.
There was the chapter where I joined Microsoft, wide-eyed and full of dreams, unsure if I could really thrive in such a fast-paced, high-performance environment.
There was the chapter where life kept pelting me relentlessly—and still had to lead calls, mentor others, and show up for work like nothing happened.
And there was the chapter where I closed the biggest deal of my life—only to realize that external wins don’t fix internal emptiness.
What I’ve Learned from Every ChapterEvery chapter taught me something vital—not just about business, but about me. Here are the building blocks that helped me navigate them all:
Gratitude is the key to perspective. I started journaling daily, even during the chaos. I noticed how investments I made years ago—relationships, routines, reputation—were paying dividends today.
Your energy is your most valuable asset. Not your time. Not your title. The energy you bring into rooms, meetings, and relationships defines your impact. Protect it. Nurture it. Restore it when it runs low.
You don’t need all the answers—just the courage to keep asking better questions. “What can I learn from this?” “Who can I serve today?” “How can I grow through this?”
Your story matters—especially the messy parts. Don’t hide them. Share them. That’s where connection is born. That’s where leadership lives.
Start building your next chapter—right now. Don’t wait for a title, a promotion, a miracle. What can you do today that your future self will thank you for? Make the call. Send the note. Record the idea. Take the walk. Forgive yourself.
Tell your story—even if it’s unfinished. Someone out there needs to hear it. Use LinkedIn. Use your team meetings. Use the next coffee chat. Be real. Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s the strongest bridge you can build.
Define your win—daily. Not in terms of revenue or likes. But in moments of impact, gratitude, clarity, and progress. Success doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers, “You’re doing great—keep going.”
If you’re feeling stuck, stagnant, or unsure—it’s okay. You’re not broken. You’re just becoming.
You are gathering the tools, experiences, battle scars, and breakthroughs that will shape your next big leap.
And when you finally turn the page and see what was waiting for you?
It’ll be worth every step that got you there.
What’s your next chapter about?I’d love to hear from you:
What chapter are you in right now?
What’s one lesson from your past that’s shaping your present?
#Gratitude #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Storytelling #AuthenticLeadership #MotivationMonday #LinkedInCreators #MentalResilience #ProfessionalDevelopment
