You probably know what to do next.

You’re just afraid to do it. 😬

People often come to me feeling stuck.

They have too many options.

A challenge they can’t solve.

A decision they can’t make.

They tell me:

“I don’t know what to do.”

Sometimes, that’s completely true.

More often?

They know exactly what to do.

They just don’t like the answer.

Because the answer might involve:

Having the sweaty 10-minute conversation. 🥵

Asking for the opportunity. 🙋

Setting the uncomfortable boundary. 🚧

Telling someone what isn’t working. 🗣️

Doing something badly before doing it well. 🌱

Risking a “no” from someone who matters.

Fear has a remarkable ability to disguise itself as confusion. 🎭

It sends us searching for more information.

Another book. Another podcast. Another opinion.

Meanwhile, the answer is sitting in the one place we keep avoiding.

So when you’re unsure what to do next, ask:

“What am I most afraid to do?”

Then consider walking toward it. 👣

Unless it’s an oncoming locomotive. 🚂

Please walk away from that.

The point isn’t to do everything that scares you.

It’s to notice when fear is pointing directly at the conversation, decision or action that could change everything. 🧭

And if fear doesn’t offer a clear answer, try another compass:

“What would make me feel most alive?” ✨

Fear and excitement are close cousins.

Sometimes the path that makes your stomach flutter is also the one that makes your eyes light up.

You may not need another answer.

You may need 10 sweaty minutes of courage. 💪

What conversation have you been avoiding?

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericwoodard.substack.com

You may be aiming too low to get hired.Because being overqualified works against you. 🎯

Imagine two candidates:

Just barely qualified.Massively overqualified.

Given the choice, employers often prefer the person who is just barely qualified.

Why?

They have room to grow. 🌱They’re more likely to stick around.They won’t cost as much to hire.They see the position as a step forward.They’re open to learning how this employer does things.

The massively overqualified candidate creates a different set of concerns:

Will they leave when something better appears?Will they expect more money? 💰Will they get bored doing the actual job?Will they resist doing things our way?

None of those concerns may be fair.They’re still real.

So if you’re overqualified for every position you’re applying for and you’re not getting hired, stop aiming lower.

Aim higher. 🚀

Look for opportunities where YOU’RE just barely qualified.

That’s where you have room to grow.That’s where an employer can see your potential.

And it’s probably exactly where you belong.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericwoodard.substack.com

Want to be more influential? Take up some space.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericwoodard.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericwoodard.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericwoodard.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericwoodard.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericwoodard.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericwoodard.substack.com

Many things are best done one at a time, including applying for jobs.

High performance career coach Eric Woodard explains why.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericwoodard.substack.com

Do you feel like you need to explain yourself more than might really need to?

High performance career coach Eric Woodard explain how sometimes, you don't really need to explain so much (even if it feels like you do).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericwoodard.substack.com