A Lesson From the Lilacs
In the summer, you can find me among the lilacs.
We have three of them in our backyard, and one is almost 10 feet tall at this point! The soft, powdery fragrance is lovely.
But their abundant growth is only thanks to one of nature’s essential rhythms: letting go.
Let me explain.
After the lilacs bloom in the spring, we prune them.
The first time we did this, it was nerve-wracking: Why are you cutting off all of those beautiful flowers?!
But in the garden, we prune to make space for growth. Releasing the first blooms creates the space needed for even more blooms, and—in the lilacs’ case—they grow back double in size!
“Letting go” makes way for “letting in.”
Consider how this can also be true of your career.
As you prune back external signifiers of success, past expectations for yourself, and others’ opinions, you’ll find you’re creating space for new abundance.
You’ll also begin to let go of outdated language around career and definitions of success.
+ Let go of the pressure to climb someone else’s ladder.
+ Let go of the promotions dangled like rewards for staying in line.
+ Let go of roles that never matched the energy you’re craving.
And, in return, you’ll find you flourish in ways you perhaps never expected:
+ New, more aligned experiences.
+ Opportunities where you can make an impact.
+ Chances to use your strengths and do what energizes you.
+ Alignment with your core + lifestyle values.
And it will all be thanks to letting go.
Letting go sets us free. It’s the boldest move you can make, and summer is the perfect time to embrace the freedom “letting go” can bring.
Heart-Based Career Planning: How To Stay Grounded While Letting Go
Making a career change is a lot like learning to swim in a lake—there’s no edge to cling to, just open water and the courage to keep going.
If that feels a little scary, you’re not alone—and this post is for you.
I’m sharing a few of my favorite ways to stay grounded as you let go of old expectations and begin creating a new path—one that’s aligned with who you are and where you’re meant to go.
Flourishing Favourites: Letting Go Edition
Launching Soon
The hardcover version of Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go (now an Amazon bestseller!)
I’m excited to announce that the hardcover edition of our best-selling ebook is available on June 24! You can hold these stories, underline your favorite quotes, and share them with other brave women in your life
Discussing
Letting Go Means Making Courageous Choices
What does it really look like to let go of certainty and choose courage instead? I recently joined my colleague Jamie Jacobs on her new podcast, The Courageous Choice, to discuss the messy + meaningful parts of change—and why courage often whispers before it shouts.
Listening
This Letting Go summer playlist, curated just for you by the Flourish Careers team
Whether you’re daydreaming about your next best role or journaling your heart-based career vision, this playlist is the perfect summer soundtrack.
Meaningful Career Change
A flourishing garden results from interconnected relationships—and a flourishing career is no different. Combining the self-paced Fried To Flourishing course with the unmatched power of community, we’ve developed the nutrients needed for the career change you’ve wanted to make.
Fried to Flourishing Course
A comprehensive experience in making meaningful career change
Want more career wisdom? Check out these podcast episodes/blog posts!
+ How to Feel More Inspired in Your Career
+ How Color, Energy + Intuition Guide Our Career Featuring Heather Eck
+ Redesigning Work on Your Terms with Jamie Jacobs Founder of Gig Talent
For more insider stories, quick tips, and #CareerTalk, I invite you to connect with me on Instagram @flourish.careers.
