Written by Chiral Yadava, Life Transformation Coach
Chiral is an accomplished life transformation coach, author of the inspirational book 'Chiral: A Soldier' released in 2022, an award-winning storyteller, and an unshakeable optimist. She is committed to unlocking people’s fullest potential and helping them discover the keys to lasting happiness and fulfillment.
When you are driving your career journey, drive the way you want to drive. You know your strengths include speed, agility, adaptability, vision, and strategy. You know how far you want to go. It’s okay to get inspired by other drivers along the way, but don't compare or judge.
Everyone is on their own career journey. Others may speed up, slow down, take breaks, or detour. That’s their choice. Some might even run out of gas driving at top speed. They may choose to balance the once-in-a-lifetime moments in their personal lives differently than you.
You decide how you want to drive. If you get the chance to learn from others along the way, that’s great! Remember, you are unique and have your own strengths.
Sometimes, you might feel like someone with the same experience is ahead of you in their career journey. Perhaps they are in a leadership role while you are still in management. But remember, their situation may not be what it seems from the outside. Your career journey is also influenced by your personal life. You might choose to go at your own pace, living through big and small personal events and being there for your loved ones when they need you while still building your skills and capabilities. And when you are ready to pick up the speed.
I will give you my example: I was speeding through all the milestones when I was single. Then I got married and had a child, and I slowed down because I wanted to. I chose to take my career journey at my own pace. I knew those beautiful moments wouldn’t come again. I stayed in an individual contributor role for a while but continued building my skills, learning new technologies, and preparing for the future.
Eventually, I made space in my life to do more, becoming an entrepreneur, strategist, working professional, author, producer, storyteller, positive impact influencer, and celebrated guest speaker.
Let’s focus on our own career journeys. Keep your eyes on the road, and don’t feel intimidated by anyone else's speed. Know when to take a break, when to stop for gas, and when to make adjustments. Everyone has their own strengths, and so do you. Trust yourself as the driver of your career journey. Trust your skills, ability to adapt, and potential to learn from others. Celebrate those who pass you, but enjoy your own journey too.
We are not racing for a trophy. We are driving through life, each at our own pace.
The next time you see someone pass you or demonstrate a skill sharper than yours, use that as motivation to learn and grow. Make the necessary adjustments and keep driving on this beautiful journey. There will be sharp turns, steep hills, and stormy days that make it tough to drive. But stay calm, be patient, and keep going. Things will improve sooner or later.
Focus on your journey. If someone passes you, remember to wave and say, “Enjoy your drive, mate.
Read more from Chiral Yadava
Chiral Yadava, Life Transformation Coach
Chiral, an accomplished Life Transformation Coach, embarked on her coaching journey long before the term existed in her dictionary. With roots in an Indian Army family and training in the National Cadet Corps, she strongly believes that destiny is in our hands and that we can shape it as we wish. With 15 years of HR expertise in global firms, having transformed and touched numerous lives over the years, and her inspirational autobiography "Chiral: A Soldier" released in 2022, she's on a passionate quest to empower individuals to seize life's boundless opportunities, for we only have one shot at making it count.
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