Stop Playing Small: How to Step Into the Career You Actually Want

This is for those of you feeling like you’re sitting on the sidelines of your own career? Watching opportunities come and go, convincing yourself now’s not the right time or I’m not quite ready—meanwhile, people with half your talent are out there taking up space like they were born for it.

Yeah. It’s time to stop that. It really is.

If you’ve been playing small, you probably already know this, but despite knowing you may be holding yourself back, you are stuck there. Stuck is that feeling of keeping yourself in a job that feels fine but is just not right. It’s second-guessing your skills and abilities, waiting for some imaginary committee to tap you on the shoulder and say, Okay, you may now go after the career you actually want.

Except, spoiler alert: No one is coming to do that. Not going to happen.

Why We Play Small (Even When We Know Better)

Playing small isn’t about lacking ambition. You do want more and hopefully you also think you deserve it. But wanting and going for it are two different things. And the gap between the two? That’s usually filled with things like:

• Fear of failure. What if I try and it doesn’t work?

• Fear of judgment. What will people think if I step up, make a change?

• Feeling unqualified. There are people out there with more experience, more confidence, more courage.

So, instead of making moves, you stay where it’s safe. You tell yourself the timing isn’t right, or you just need one more certification, or you’ll do it when you feel more ready.

But you won’t. Because confidence doesn’t show up at your door one day. You have to build it by taking action.

Stop merely looking at possibilities—it's time to step into them

How to Start Taking Up Space in Your Own Career

1. Get clear on what you actually want.
Not what’s realistic. Not what’s convenient. What do you really want? Because if you don’t name it, you’ll keep floating along hoping the right thing magically appears. (It won’t.)

2. Act like the person who already has it.
Not in a “fake it till you make it” way—more like, what would Future You do? Would she apply for the job? Speak up in meetings? Actually tell people what she wants instead of hoping they’ll read her mind? Start doing that now.

3. Do the thing before you feel ready.
Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for action; it’s the result of it. The only way to feel ready is to do the thing before you feel ready. (Annoying, but true.)

Final Thought: What’s One Bold Move You’ll Make This Week?

Because this is where the rubber meets the road. Reading this blog and nodding along won’t change your career. Doing something will. What’s one step—big or small—you can take this week to stop playing small?

Go do it. Then do it again. Come on, just do it. I know you can!

I’m a Certified Coach and I specialize in helping women overcome self-doubt, imposter syndrome, fear of risk and make bold career moves. Ready for that - I ‘d love to work with you.