When people enquire about career coaching, I cordially ask:
“How are you doing right now?”
Almost every time, they’ll say something like:
“Honestly, things are OK right now. I’m doing alright.”
It’s a genuine answer.
Things aren’t terrible.
They’re managing. Even thriving.
So there’s no urgency to make a change.
But then I ask a different question.
“If nothing changes, how will you be doing in 3 months?”
That’s when it gets interesting.
This causes most people to pause.
They then say something like, “Hmm. Probably less great. A bit more stuck. Maybe more frustrated.”
There’s a common decision-making bias at play here.
As humans, we can intellectually SEE the future, but we don’t FEEL the future.
Which means we often stay still, even when we know action is needed for change to happen.
So if you’re interested in career coaching, let’s skip the usual pleasantries.
Who are YOU in 3 months if nothing changes?
How will they feel?
What will be harder?
What won’t have improved?
And now let’s flip it.
If YOU in three months achieves exactly what you want right now, what did that person have to do to make it happen?
What did they do that you’re not doing right now?
What did they not do that you’re doing right now?
If you’re telling yourself things are fine for now, you’re probably right.
But do yourself a favour, and check in with FUTURE YOU.
Would they say the same thing?
Or are you not prepared to put yourself into their shoes?