There is a pattern I see with my clients and it goes something like this: Once I have helped a client map out their career focus and goals, I send them a resume draft. I can almost feel the shockwaves coming back when they say things like:

I can’t believe this is me!

Can I really do this?

I didn’t realize how much I had accomplished.

Are you sure I should go after such a large title/big company/big salary?

Of course, the majority of my clients DO go on to accomplish their career goals, but my point is this: It takes more than just a fantastic resume to land your dream job – it takes you actually believing you can do it!

We all like to dream. And dreaming is “safe” isn’t it? Committing to moving forward and making your dream a reality also means stepping out of the safe zone. And when stepping out of the safety zone, it’s very easy to start playing small.

I have seen a few highly accomplished and highly talented professionals play small with their careers and wind up right where that road takes them… which is not very far from where they are. You have heard “change can be scary.” I would add that “committing to be successful can be scary.”

Just knowing that the road to the success can be scary can help you gain a foothold on the emotional responses you may have to seeing yourself in a different light. And by understanding these reactions are normal, you can allow yourself to feel those feelings without letting them stonewall your plans. By accepting that “wow – this really is me,” you give yourself permission to take the next step in moving forward with your career!