| Let’s get real for a second. If you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or like you’re living in a never-ending episode of Groundhog Day – I’ve got some tough love for you. Ready? What you’re not changing, you’re choosing. Ouch. Or as we say in south Louisiana, aye-ya-yi! I know. But hang with me. The job that drains you but you stay anyway? You’re choosing it. The team member who’s underperforming but you avoid the hard conversation? You’re choosing it. The calendar that’s packed tighter than Spanx on Thanksgiving? Yep… you’re choosing it. The constant overwhelm, the lack of white space, the late nights answering emails – choosing, choosing, choosing. Now before you come for me with pitchforks, let me clarify: I’m not saying you like these things. And I’m definitely not saying they’re easy to change. But by not making a different choice, you are – by default – choosing to stay exactly where you are. Whew. Let that marinate for a minute. The sneaky way this shows up in leadership. This mindset sneaks into leadership all the time – and most of us don’t even notice it. You tolerate a toxic team culture because “that’s just how it’s always been.”You avoid giving tough feedback to an employee because “you don’t want to hurt their feelings.”You keep saying yes to projects you don’t have time for because “it’s easier than saying no.”You put off prioritizing your health or personal development because “work is just too busy right now.” And listen, I get it. Change is hard. It’s uncomfortable. It’s messy. But what’s also hard is staying stuck in situations that suck the life out of you. The truth is, change doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by choice. And sometimes the choice you have to make is to stop tolerating the stuff that isn’t serving you – in work and in life. But what if it’s not that simple? I can already hear you pushing back. “But Jen, I can’t just quit my job.” “I can’t magically make my team more motivated.” “I can’t just say no to my boss every time they ask me to do something.” Fair. I’m not suggesting you light a match to your career and watch it burn (Although if you’re really fantasizing about that, we should talk). But I am saying you have more power than you think. You have choices. You have agency. And the sooner you own that, the sooner you can shift from defaulting to deciding. A little self-reflection (’cause growth starts here). Alright. Alright. Alright. Time to get uncomfortably honest. Grab a notebook or pull up a fresh note on your phone and answer these questions: What’s one thing in your professional life that frustrates you the most right now? What would it look like if you took responsibility for changing it – even in a small way? Where in your leadership are you avoiding a tough conversation or decision? What’s one thing you keep saying yes to – even though it drains your time, energy, or joy? What’s one change you could make that would move you closer to the career (and life) you really want? Be honest. Nobody’s going to see your answers but you. But once you identify those areas, you’ll have a choice: Keep choosing the status quo or choose to change it. |
| Need some inspiration? Here’s where people get stuck (and stay stuck): In case your brain is pulling a blank, here are some areas where leaders often choose to stay stuck without realizing it: Avoiding tough conversations (because conflict is awkward) Taking on too much (because you don’t want to disappoint anyone) Neglecting personal growth (because you’re too busy “doing the work”) Tolerating low performance (because it’s easier than addressing it) Over-scheduling yourself (because rest feels unproductive) Delaying hard decisions (because certainty feels safer than change) Neglecting self-care (because work always comes first) Not advocating for yourself (because it feels icky to self-promote) If any of these hit you in the gut, welcome to the club (It’s a big one – the club, not your gut.) I’m a founding member. Yep, I struggle just like anybody else. I’ve got a person in my life (who shall remain nameless), who keeps yanking my chain, pushing my buttons, and jumping on my last nerve. But I know I can’t control them. The only thing I can control is my reaction to their antics. Since I use every tool that I teach to my clients, read on for how you can make different choices. And we’ll do this together. So now what? Here’s what I want you to do: Pick one thing you’re currently tolerating that you know deep down you need to change. Make one small move toward changing it. Not a huge, life-altering leap. Just a small step. Have the hard conversation. Block some white space on your calendar. Decline the next “extra project” you don’t have time for. Delegate something that’s not your job. And then do it again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next. Before you know it, you’ll realize you’re not choosing the same old mess anymore – you’re choosing something better. Because here’s the thing: If you don’t like what you’re choosing, you have the power to change it. So… what’s it gonna be, ma friend? Are you gonna keep choosing meh? Or are you ready to choose better? Your call. And if you’d like a guide on the side to help you make these tough decisions and re-focus, let’s talk! Go to https://calendly.com/jennifer-ledet and schedule your complimentary discovery call with me today. |
