Craving a Fresh Start? Start with Your Mindset

Spring brings that urge to refresh and reset. As the days get longer and the energy around us shifts, it’s natural to start thinking about change—especially in our careers. But before you update your résumé or start browsing job boards, consider this: maybe what needs shifting isn’t your role. Maybe it’s how you’re thinking.

Mindset Over Job-Hopping

When work feels unfulfilling, the default response is often “I need to find something new.” But sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs happen when we change how we see our current situation.

A growth-focused mindset isn’t something we just flip on. It takes reflection and practice. And it requires regular check-ins to notice when self-doubt, fear, or comparison are taking the wheel.

Why This Matters—Especially for Women 

As a woman in the workplace, especially a woman of colour, mindset work isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. 

The reality is, you may face challenges others don’t:

• Being talked over or overlooked in meetings

• Having to over-prove your value

• Watching others get credit for your ideas

These external barriers are real. But shifting your mindset can help you reclaim your power. It’s about focusing on what you can control—how you show up, how you advocate for yourself, and how you keep moving forward.

Quick Mindset Check-In Questions

Take 15-20 minutes to reflect on where you are right now:

1. What's gone surprisingly well this year—and have you actually celebrated it?

We're often so busy rushing to the next goal that we forget to acknowledge what we've already accomplished. Take a moment. These wins matter—especially the ones that surprised you!

2. What if your setbacks were actually setting you up for something better?

 What if what didn’t work out is actually making space for what will? Sometimes our biggest growth comes after our biggest letdowns.

3. What would change if you talked to yourself like you talk to your best friend?

Would you talk to a friend the way you talk to yourself? If not, it’s time to change the script in your head. Your inner voice shapes your confidence—make it a supportive one.

4. Where are you playing it safe because you're afraid, not because it's smart?

Fear often disguises itself as practicality. Ask yourself: "Am I making this choice because it's wise, or because I'm scared?" This question helps you spot where fear might be holding you back.

5. Are you chasing someone else's version of success?

Get honest about what you want—not what others expect of you. What lights YOU up? Success that doesn't match your values will never feel satisfying, no matter how impressive it looks on paper.

Small Shifts, Big Impact

You don’t need a full career pivot to feel renewed. Try reframing your inner dialogue:

• “I’m not ready” → “I’ll figure it out as I go”

• “This is too hard” → “This is where I get to grow”

• “I can’t do this” → “What’s one small step I can take?”

These shifts may seem small—but they can open the door to major transformation.

Final Thought

The fresh start you’re looking for might not require a new business card. It might begin with how you see yourself and your current opportunities. Sometimes growth isn’t about going somewhere else—it’s about becoming someone new, right where you are.

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Want a career that actually fits YOU? Join my 5-week Career Clarity & Strategy Group Coaching Program: www.leadtochange.ca/career-clarity