As a kid, you were probably asked the age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Adults love to ask this of kids, not because we expect them to have well-defined career plans, but because we love hearing their answers. 

Kids dream big. Nothing is off limits. Astronaut? Of course! Pop star? You bet. Paleontologist? Yep. 

But somewhere along the way, reality sets in. College majors are declared. Bills need to be paid. We take the available entry-level position while continuing to pursue bigger goals. We get the promotion, then the next one, and then we realize…

We’ve stopped dreaming of what’s possible for us and started pursuing what’s expected of us.

It’s no wonder burnout sets in. 

The dreams may have changed shape. That’s allowed. But the part of you that once believed anything was possible? She’s still in there. The possibilities are still endless. It is not too late.

Let this post be your guide to cultivating a career plan that leaves room for the unexpected and honors your real interests. Best of all, it’ll give you something far more motivating than any arbitrary checklist: a direction that feels genuinely yours.

What Makes A Weed A Weed: Expectation Vs. Possibility

Did you know there is no such thing as a weed? It’s all a matter of perspective. A weed is, by definition, any plant growing where it is not wanted. A flower to some is a weed to others. A weed to some (I’m looking at you, dandelions) can be a flower (and a wish!) in the eyes of a child. 

So, in gardens as in careers, we must practice distinguishing between what belongs, through our eyes, and what doesn’t. In my work with clients going through a career change, we often find that what doesn’t belong is the weight of others’ expectations. 

Expectation is a narrow lens, formed by approved results and external pressures. It filters out the unconventional, the surprising, and the heart-centered. Instead of pursuing a path aligned with your values, you embark on a journey to a future, a destination, defined by *someone else.*

Possibility, on the other hand, is wide open. It asks different questions: What lights me up? What could I grow into? What would I pursue if I weren’t afraid of failure? 

If that sounds reckless, it isn’t. It’s honest. It is rooted in presence, driven by intention, and aligned with your values. Possibility-led planning is a path forward formed by who you are, not who you think you’re supposed to become.

So, how do you start pulling the weeds of expectation? Let’s dig in.

1. Dream big. 

Before we can shift things in our outer lives, we must shift things in our inner lives. Moving from expectation to possibility requires trading in the voice that says “I can’t” for one that asks, “What if I could?” It’s a small swap with an enormous impact.

This is exactly the kind of reflection the Reflect + Renew ritual in In Season is designed to support. In your reflection time, try writing down 3 possibilities: things that excite you, stretch you, or feel new. This could be reconnecting with someone who inspires you, sharing a new idea in an upcoming meeting, or taking a small creative risk.  

Above all, the question you’re beginning to ask yourself is: “What would I do if I knew I couldn’t fail?” Like a child, let the enormity of your dreams inspire you.

2. Say it out loud.

There’s something powerful about speaking a possibility into the air. It moves an idea from the private, protected space of your mind into the real world…and that shift matters more than you might think.

Tell a trusted friend. 

Say it to yourself in the mirror. 

Write it in your journal and read it back. 

If you’re feeling brave, post it on social media. 

However it feels most natural, say it. Naming a dream is the first act of claiming it.

3. Start Small.

Big dreams can feel paralyzing when we look at them all at once. The antidote isn’t to shrink the dream; it’s to shrink the next step.

Microsteps are small, consistent actions that build momentum without requiring you to have everything figured out first, and the 5 Minutes to Flourish practice in In Season was built on exactly this idea. 

You don’t need hours of free time to move forward. You just need five intentional minutes, repeated consistently, day after day.

4. Stay open.

Finally, and perhaps the hardest, stay open. Possibility rarely arrives looking exactly the way you imagined it. It shows up disguised as an offhand comment from a colleague, an invitation that feels slightly outside your comfort zone, or a project that lights you up in a way you didn’t expect.

The opportunities that change the trajectory of our careers often don’t announce themselves boldly. They nudge. They whisper. They show up in the margins of ordinary days. 

Your task is to notice these nudges and say yes.

When you invest in yourself and put yourself in the right communities and conversations, the possibilities that once felt intangible begin to take form. Stay curious. Stay open. And trust that the right seeds, tended with intention, will grow.

How Flourish Careers Can Help

Since you’ve found us, chances are you’re likely considering—or are SO ready for—a change!

Your inner child is ready for you to drop the weight of other people’s expectations and dip your toe back into the wide world of possibility. 

If you’d like help making your inner child happy, we’re here to help. Our career coaching helps professionals and job seekers like you find the perfect-fit solutions that will help you flourish.

In Season 3-Month Planner

Your Fresh Start Begins Here

A three-month, lightly guided planner-meets-journal, with seasonal, monthly, weekly, and daily rituals throughout

FIND MORE INFORMATION HERE

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+ Fresh Starts are In Season

Connect with Me

For more insider stories, quick tips, and #CareerTalk, I invite you to connect with me on Instagram @flourish.careers.

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