If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You More Successful?
We’ve all been there: we achieve high grades, secure great jobs, and work diligently, but the success we envisioned seems elusive. Despite intelligence and effort, something crucial seems to be missing. Why? Because career success today is about more than just hard work and knowledge—it’s about social capital, authenticity, adaptability, and creative thinking.
At Finding Next, we’ve seen firsthand that career change often requires a different approach. If you’re considering changing careers, making a career pivot, or even a career reboot at 40 or 50, this is the time to think about what skills and perspectives you bring to the table. Below, we explore eight themes that can help you build a successful career by seeing beyond traditional markers of intelligence and embracing a fresh outlook on today’s career landscape.
- The Fallacy of Broadcasting Success
It’s natural to believe that showcasing achievements is the path to career credibility. However, continuously promoting your accomplishments can create barriers instead of building connections. Many career changers find success when they adopt a more authentic approach, sharing not just their wins but their struggles as well.
- Takeaway: Your humanity and openness build genuine connections. This can be especially powerful when you’re looking to reinvent your career or make a career pivot. Showing your authentic journey can resonate with people and make you more relatable.
- Starting with Obstacles
When changing careers or pursuing a career change at 40 or even a career change at 50, obstacles are inevitable. Success is rarely linear, and each challenge you encounter—whether in life or your career—brings invaluable lessons that help build resilience in the workplace. In a career reboot, these challenges aren’t roadblocks; they’re opportunities for growth.
- Takeaway: Start where you are, and embrace the obstacles that come with career change. Overcoming career challenges is a crucial aspect of both professional and personal development, helping you achieve career perseverance.
- Defining Your Unique Path
There is no universal formula for a successful career. Reinventing your career or finding your passion requires an individual approach. Success isn’t about fitting into a mold; it’s about discovering your path and learning from real-life examples. A career reboot or pivot should align with your values and life goals, creating a journey that resonates with your unique aspirations.
- Takeaway: Embrace your individual path and stay true to your values. If you’re figuring out how to change careers, remember that it’s about creating a path that reflects who you are.
- The Power of Social Capital
Career change often hinges not on what you know, but on who you know and the trust you’ve built over time. Whether you’re changing careers or staying the course, relationships are essential. Social capital—built through trust, empathy, and genuine connections—often opens doors that hard skills alone can’t unlock.
- Takeaway: Build connections through generosity and authenticity. Invest in your relationships, as social capital is crucial for anyone looking to overcome career challenges or embark on a career change at 50.
- Vulnerability and Candor as a Strategy
Vulnerability is often misunderstood as a weakness, yet it’s one of the most powerful tools in career development. For those interested in changing careers, showing vulnerability, practicing candor, and staying accountable build trust and create connections. People are more likely to connect with you when they see your genuine self, especially if you’re exploring a new career field or navigating a career reboot.
- Takeaway: Being human and authentic can be a strategic asset, particularly if you’re embarking on a career change at 40 or 50. True success in the workforce is built on honesty and openness.
- Diversity of Thought Over Individual Brainpower
The best career paths are often shaped by fresh ideas and unexpected connections. If you’re planning a career pivot or seeking advice on how to change careers, staying open to diverse perspectives is crucial. Embracing adaptability in the workforce allows you to see connections others might miss and reveals new opportunities.
- Takeaway: Be open to new experiences and diverse perspectives. A willingness to learn from a range of voices can be transformative, especially when you’re navigating a significant career change.
- Creativity and Content Creation Over Pure Competence
Competence alone doesn’t set you apart; creativity and originality do. When reinventing your career, especially in a competitive field, creativity and adaptability are invaluable. If you’re interested in building a successful career, remember that unique contributions, innovative ideas, and creative solutions are what make you irreplaceable.
- Takeaway: Focus on being creative and irreplaceable. In a world that values originality, cultivating your unique perspective is key to career resilience.
- Networking with Generosity
Networking is about much more than just meeting people; it’s about building relationships based on mutual support and respect. When changing careers or rebooting your career after 50, focusing on how you can help others can create a strong network of advocates. Asking, “How can I help you?” opens the door to meaningful connections that last.
- Takeaway: Lead with generosity and seek to help others first. This mindset is transformative in building a successful career and establishing meaningful relationships, regardless of where you are on your career journey.
The Finding Next® Decipher Process: A Guide to Navigating Career Change
At Finding Next, we know that a career pivot or reboot requires more than a conventional approach. That’s why we’ve developed a unique, three-phase process called The Decipher Process, designed to help you reboot, pivot, or persevere in your career.
It’s more than a career assessment—it’s a journey into the core of your identity, uncovering the insights that reveal new ways of seeing, thinking, and achieving. Here’s a glimpse into each transformative step:
Helix: Discover Your Essence
In the Helix phase, we dive into the core of who you are, uncovering your unique strengths, values, and experiences. This isn’t just self-discovery; it’s about finding alignment between your essence and your professional path—ideal for those considering a career pivot or a career change at 50.
Prism: Evaluate Your Position
In the Prism phase, we focus on where you are now in your career and personal life. This phase offers clarity by examining how your current position aligns with your goals and aspirations. For anyone wondering how to reboot your career after 50, this phase provides a realistic yet hopeful view of your options and potential growth areas.
Constellation: Illuminate Your Path
The Constellation phase represents where you’re headed. Here, we connect the dots between your values, strengths, and goals, creating a clear vision for your future career. Whether you’re exploring a career change at 40 or looking for ways to persevere, this final phase provides a roadmap to a purpose-driven, fulfilling career.
Each stage of the Decipher Process offers a framework for re-evaluating, rediscovering, and reinvigorating your career path. It’s a personalized journey designed to help you understand who you are, where you are, and where you’re meant to be.
Moving Forward with Resilience, Adaptability, and Purpose
Career change is never easy, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding journey of self-discovery and growth. Intelligence and hard work are fundamental, but they’re only part of the equation. Building a successful career today requires resilience in the workplace, adaptability in the workforce, and a commitment to meaningful connections.
At Finding Next, we believe in helping you unlock your unique potential, whether you’re facing a career change, a career pivot, or simply looking for clarity on your career path. Through our Decipher Process, we provide the tools to help you see beyond traditional markers of success, embrace your individuality, and navigate a path that resonates with your true self.
Are you ready to redefine success on your terms? Discover what’s next with Finding Next, and start your journey to a career that’s unmistakably yours.