Going round and round in circles trying to figure out what you want next in your career?

Today, I’m talking about how I moved from overthinking to clarity -- and now support my clients to do the same in their careers.

There’s a common mistake I see high-achievers make when they’re at a career crossroads. One which is keeping them stuck. And it’s something I did too… 

Back in 2017, I was feeling unfulfilled in my decade long recruitment career and burnt out in my business. I remember agonising over what I wanted to do next for months. 

I spent hours going down the Google rabbit hole, hoping my dream career path would magically jump out at me!

But trying to THINK my way to a solution kept me stuck in analysis paralysis. 

I know it sounds counterintuitive -- especially when you’re logical and strategic. Yet trying to think your way to clarity is exactly what keeps you stuck.

So what helped me find clarity?

It was TAKING ACTION. By following my curiosity and finding practical ways to explore different career paths.

In this episode, I’m sharing 4 steps to help you shift out of analysis paralysis and into action, so you start finding clarity on your career direction. 

These ideas are practical, grounded in experience and designed to move you from confusion to clarity.

You'll learn:

• Why getting clear on your internal motivation is the essential first step, so you find clarity on your direction a whole lot faster
• The surprising question that shifts ‘I don’t know what I want’ into clarity on your next step
• A powerful strategy to pinpoint what you want next, grow your network and unlock new career opportunities
• The game-changing step to discover what you enjoy, build transferrable skills and clarify your ideal career path

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave me a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars and then select ‘Write a review.’ Then, be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

LINKS:
Book a 60 minute Career Strategy Session for support with one immediate career goal or challenge.

Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program and apply for a free 30 minute consult to get started.

Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Are you caught up in the ‘hamster wheel’ of daily tasks and realising you’ve completely neglected your long-term career goals?

Today we’re talking about how to take back control and start creating the career you WANT -- without burning out or starting over.

This is the first instalment of a brand new ‘Career By Design’ case study series. In these episodes, I’m giving you an exclusive, behind the scenes look at my clients’ career transformations.

Out of respect to their employers or for confidentiality reasons, many leaders I work with choose to share their experiences anonymously. So my intention with this series is to take you a layer deeper into my observations of HOW they navigated a career crossroads.

As with all the case studies in this series, there are 3 things these clients have in common which you can use to create a career on your terms too:

1. Clarity: Figuring out WHY you’re unhappy in your current career and WHAT you truly want before attempting to change it.

2. Confidence: Shifting your mindset and overcoming the fears and doubts keeping you stuck to build confidence

3. Career Strategy: Focusing on solving the RIGHT problem and knowing which strategies to use to get the results you want.

In this episode, you’ll hear how one client went from letting their career unfold, to driving their own development.

Discover HOW they made a complete career change in their current company -- and walk away with ideas to make an internal move in your organisation too. 

You'll learn:

• How this client went from confused to clear on their direction -- and the ONE quality you need to make the right career decisions
• The biggest fear which holds even the most confident high-achievers back in their careers and how to move through it
• Specific strategies which helped this client make an internal move into a new career -- and 3 things that separate those who land the right role, faster (from those who don’t)
• Top takeaways you can apply right now to create a career on YOUR terms -- even if you think you’re too busy or are worried about making the wrong move

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave me a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars and then select ‘Write a review.’ Then, be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

LINKS:
Book a 60 minute Career Strategy Session for support with one immediate career goal or challenge.

Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program and apply for a free 30 minute consult to get started.

Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Already achieved a lot of success -- but finding yourself at a career crossroads? You’re confused about WHAT you want next or HOW to get there.

Too busy, so career planning keeps falling to the bottom of the list? 

Or feeling frustrated because you’re taking all the right action (applying for countless roles, reaching out to your network), but nothing’s working? 

In this free masterclass, I’ll share 3 powerful strategies to regain control of your career, so you get results — without wasting time on tactics that don’t work!

• Find out why the typical approach to career planning fails -- and how doing the opposite will get you back in control of your career 
• Discover the first step to take right NOW to move from self-doubt to confidence and take ownership of your career success 
• Learn why chasing the latest job search strategy or ‘dream career’ isn’t working -- and THE solution to accelerate your results, fast 

Register HERE to watch the limited time replay on demand until 27 August! 

Are robots REALLY coming for your role?

Today, we’re talking about what AI actually means for your career and simple steps you can take now to stay ahead.

In my last corporate role, there was a running joke I had IT Helpdesk on speed dial. Digital devices seem to self-destruct in my presence -- and I’m certainly no AI expert! 

But despite my tech challenges, I’ve chosen to fully embrace AI. I’ve trained my own custom GPT as a thinking partner to help me brainstorm ideas or refine my content (never create it). 

Still, when it comes to AI taking over my role, I thought my profession was pretty futureproof. My work is ALL about human connection and requires a multitude of human skills AI can’t replicate.

That was until I saw a Wall Street Journal article claiming an AI was the “best career coach” someone ever had. And it got me thinking...

If AI can be a ‘coach’ -- what else could it take over? And more importantly, what could this mean for YOUR career path?

In this episode, I’m sharing my REAL thoughts on this, including how AI is already impacting other professions, whether robots are coming for your role and what this tells us about the future of work.

You’ll walk away with 3 practical tips to take back control and futureproof your career in the age of AI. 

Because while I’m not a tech expert, what I DO know a lot about is career planning and how to advance your career in the changing world of work! 

You'll learn:

• What generative AI means for knowledge workers -- and how to go from overwhelmed to adapting to change, faster than you think
• Why working hard won’t guarantee success and the ONE shift you must make to keep your skills relevant and futureproof your career
• The specific skills you need in the age of AI so you stay competitive, no matter how your profession evolves
• How exploring non-linear paths can open up opportunities you never even imagined -- and help you take ownership of your career in a changing world

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave me a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars and then select ‘Write a review.’ Then, be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

LINKS:
Book a 60 minute Career Strategy Session for support with one immediate career goal or challenge.

Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program and apply for a free 30 minute consult to get started.

Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

How do you build confidence as a leader?

Is confidence something you’re born with, which only certain people possess -- or can you create it over time?

This is exactly what I’ll be unpacking on today’s episode.

Shifting from self-doubt to confidence is one of the three core pillars of my work -- and a common reason leaders seek my support.

Confidence is critical to building visibility, credibility and influence. It’s what helps you speak up in high-stakes meetings, get buy-in for your ideas and progress in your career without second-guessing yourself.

PLUS, it earns you trust as a leader and strengthens relationships with your team and clients.

If you’ve ever looked at someone and thought they’re more confident than you, chances are they experience self-doubt as well. 

So what’s the secret they seem to have figured out?

In this episode, I’m sharing some tried and true tips to build your confidence as a leader. You’ll walk away with four ways to overcome the self-doubt getting in the way of what you want!

You'll learn:

• The number one secret to stop proving yourself and start leading with confidence -- by being MORE of who you are, not less
• The biggest myth about introverts and confidence -- and what to do if you’re quietly holding yourself back
• Why leveraging your strengths (not fixing your flaws) is the key to building confidence as a leader
• A surprising lesson my 3-year-old nephew taught me about confidence -- and the ONE quality you need to overcome self-doubt

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave me a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars and then select ‘Write a review.’ Then, be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

LINKS:
Book a 60 minute Career Strategy Session for support with one immediate career goal or challenge.

Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program and apply for a free 30 minute consult to get started.

Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Are you waiting until your next performance review to have a conversation about your career goals?

Today, we’re talking about why this isn’t the most strategic move -- and what to do instead.

And just like that... we’re officially HALF-WAY through 2025!

In Australia, July marks the start of a brand new financial year. This means most annual performance reviews have happened and companies are now announcing pay rises, promotions and bonuses.

But no matter where you are in the world, now is the perfect time to pause and reflect on what you want next in your career.

Whatever it is, don’t wait until your next performance review to raise it. Because the best time to ask for what you wanted THIS year was 6-12 months ago. The second best time is NOW!

So if you're sitting here thinking: 

• "I wanted a pay rise and didn’t get one” 
• "I was hoping for that promotion… yet nothing’s been mentioned”, or
• “I’m unsure if I’m even on track to get where I want to go next year”

You’re not alone. I see this all the time from high-achievers who’ve been promoted based on technical ability. They believe if they put their head down and work hard, they’ll get tapped on the shoulder for promotion.

Yet the truth is, this only takes you so far. 

In this episode, I’m sharing the exact steps to start the conversation with your leader. You’ll find out HOW to communicate what you want with clarity and confidence, so you set yourself up for success in the year ahead!

You'll learn:

• 3 powerful questions to assess your current situation, so you know exactly what to focus on next
• Practical tips to clarify your top career goal and commit to what matters most over the next 6-12 months
• How to initiate a two-way conversation with your leader and co-create a clear plan to reach your goal
• Simple structures to remain accountable and avoid getting caught up in your daily to-do list, so you stay on track with your goal

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave me a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

LINKS:
Book a 60 minute Career Strategy Session for support with one immediate career goal or challenge.

Ready to clarify your goals, have high-stakes conversations with confidence and create a strategy which actually works? Check out Ignite Your Career and apply for a free 30 minute consult to get started!

Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Thinking about a new direction in your career -- but don’t know if your boss will back it? Unsure if the opportunity EVEN exists internally?

If you’ve been wrestling with these questions, you’re not alone.

This is a common challenge I hear from high-achieving leaders who’ve accomplished a lot -- yet feel like they’ve hit the ceiling in their current company or team.

Last week, I spoke to a group of global leaders and one of them asked these exact questions. It’s a BIG topic I didn’t have time to fully explore on the call, so I wanted to dive deeper into it with you today.

In this episode, I’m unpacking how to take ownership of your next career move -- without ALWAYS needing to walk away from your current organisation.

You'll learn:

• Two common misconceptions that keep high-achievers stuck or lead them to leave their employers too soon
• The first step to take ownership of your next move -- which often reveals you DON'T need to change companies, only your approach
• How to communicate your goals and position your development as a win-win, so you gain the support of your boss
• Practical ways to explore internal career paths, so you can have greater visibility of what’s possible WITHIN the business
• What to do when your manager doesn't support your goals -- so you stay in control and futureproof your career

This episode is a MUST listen before you update your resume or start job searching. So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave me a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

LINKS:
Want further support to take control of your next career move? Check out the Ignite Your Career program for high-achievers who are ready to take ownership of their careers with clarity, confidence and a strategic plan.

If you’re interested in working together, I invite you to book a call with me.

Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Do you keep saying yes -- when every part of you wants to say no?

Three of the biggest self-sabotaging behaviours I see in high-achieving leaders I work with -- what I call the 3P's -- are people pleasing, perfectionism and procrastination.

Today, we're diving into people pleasing -- a topic that comes up in nearly EVERY client conversation.

One client shared they were struggling to complete a project. The reason? Diving deeper, we discovered the work didn’t energise or interest them.

My client had agreed to collaborate on the project as a favour to the other person. But it wasn’t work they WANTED to do. No wonder it was a challenge to stay motivated! 

This is the perfect example of what happens when you fail to set boundaries or say NO. You say yes out of obligation -- because you feel you owe others something. And you become frustrated, apathetic or resentful as a result.

Even though I have strong boundaries, I found myself putting the needs of clients ahead of my own priorities and schedule. Over time, I’ve learnt the importance of setting boundaries with MYSELF -- and respecting my own time too.

Struggling to say NO? In today’s episode, I’m sharing a simple 5-part framework to help you say no with clarity and confidence.

You'll learn:

• The REAL reasons behind people pleasing and hidden consequences of struggling to say no and set boundaries
• How to respond when you immediately say yes to any request, so you avoid committing to something you'll regret later
• Why every yes is ALSO a no -- and the key questions to ask so you say yes to what matters most and no to what doesn’t
• A practical way to assess opportunities, so you know when to say yes or no and make decisions with confidence
• How to say no gracefully -- with exact scripts you can use to protect your time, energy and priorities

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave me a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars and then select ‘Write a review.’ Then, be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

LINKS:
Need help saying no or figuring out what you want in your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program for high-achievers who want to take ownership of their careers with clarity, confidence and a strategic plan.

If you’re interested in working together, I invite you to book a call with me.

Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Are you weighing up a big career decision?

You’re wide awake in the middle of the night, trying to figure out WHAT you want next or HOW to reach the next stage in your career. Or you’re wondering whether to stay -- or go -- in your current role or career path.

Whatever your situation, finding yourself at a career crossroads can be challenging. You feel pressure to make a decision -- and quickly. Then end up going round and round in circles out of fear of making the ‘wrong’ choice.

So today, I’m talking about how to get unstuck and make the right career decisions.

Decision-making is a complex topic, especially when it involves big, life-changing decisions related to your career. And everyone has a different approach.

I’m fairly risk averse and think it’s important to have a clear strategy. Still, pondering a decision for days or weeks on end makes me uncomfortable. I tend to make choices quickly and act on them immediately!

Others close to me prefer to think through their choices carefully, researching and analysing every possibility before committing. Some find it difficult to make a decision at all. And at times, waiting too long can cost them an opportunity.

I believe there’s no such thing as a ‘wrong’ career decision -- but there are practical steps you can take to make the right choice for you.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 ways to find clarity and make the right career decisions, every time.

You'll learn:

• The first step to take when you’re overwhelmed, which helped one client move from weeks of indecision to complete clarity within days
• How to stop making decisions based on what you think you ‘should’ do and start choosing what matters to YOU
• A practical strategy to reduce risk with big career decisions -- without getting stuck in fear, self-doubt or overthinking
• Why relying on logic alone keeps you second-guessing and a surprising way to navigate major professional decisions with ease
• The reason staying stuck is the bigger risk -- and a simple reframe which means you’ll never make the ‘wrong’ career choice

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast now and leave me a 5 star rating and review. This is how other people can find this podcast and benefit too!

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars and then select ‘Write a review.’ Then, be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

LINKS:
Get instant access to the Career Decision Guide.

Ready to gain clarity on your direction and implement a plan to realise your career vision and goals? Check out the Ignite Your Career program for high-achievers who want to take ownership of their careers with clarity, confidence and a strategic plan.

If you’re interested in working together, I invite you to book a call with me.

Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Do you have a boss who’s difficult to deal with? Ever feel frustrated, unappreciated or question whether you should just quit? 

If so, you’re not alone -- and that's exactly what we're diving into on today’s podcast. 

It’s often said people leave managers, not jobs. And it’s understandable. A bad boss can drain your motivation, impact your performance -- and even leave you questioning whether you’re in the right role.

But before you move on, it’s important to consider how YOU can build a better relationship with your boss. Because if you don't address the REAL issues, you’ll likely face the same challenges somewhere else.

In my coaching work, I hear stories of leaders dealing with difficult personalities, conflicting leadership styles -- and at times, downright bad behaviour.

Despite the challenges, dealing with a difficult boss can be an opportunity to develop your own leadership skills, build resilience and learn how to self-manage.

One of the most valuable skills you can learn as a leader, is the art of ‘managing up.’ Yet while there’s plenty of advice about how to lead your own team, what’s rarely discussed is how to manage upwards to the person you report to. 

While you can’t control your boss’s behaviour, you get to choose how to RESPOND to it. As a leader, it’s critical to take responsibility for HOW you’re managed and proactively build a stronger relationship with your manager. 

In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing eight powerful strategies to help you confidently ‘manage up’ and take back control of your career.

You'll learn:

• How understanding your boss’s behaviour and working style allows you to adapt your approach -- and manage up with more ease and influence
• Why taking responsibility for how YOU lead and communicate helps you stay in control, even in the toughest environments
• A constructive way to approach difficult conversations, so you protect the relationship with your manager and create meaningful change
• Smart solutions to common ‘bad boss’ behaviours, so you take ownership of the situation instead of waiting for change
• How to decide whether to stay or go -- and practical steps to stay engaged or minimise risk before you make a move

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast now and leave me a 5 star rating and review. This is how other people can find this podcast and benefit too!

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars and then select ‘Write a review.’ Then, be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

LINKS:
Ready to manage up and take back control of your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program for high-achievers who want to take ownership of their careers with clarity, confidence and a strategic plan.

If you’re interested in working together, I invite you to book a free call with me.

Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.