Evict Your Ego: How to get out of your own way

You may be at a point in your career where you are facing new challenges and you are unsure about your next step. Detours and wrong turns can stall your plans and force you to evaluate what’s next. Maybe you realized you want to change career paths, you were affected by layoffs, or are going through a major life event. Regardless of where you are, various life situations such as these will shape your perspectives on your long-term career goals.

In our panel discussion “Evict Your Ego,” Amanda Mermelstein (Snyk) and Catherine Davis (Handshake) shared tactical insights on how to not let your ego get in the way of opportunities for long-term growth.

Here are some key takeaways to guide you in your professional journey.

Feel your feels.

Things don’t always go as expected. And it's okay to be disappointed when that happens. Allow yourself time and space to process your thoughts and emotions. Then, make the decision to move forward. Remember, where you are is just temporary.

Control what you can control.

Regardless of how much career planning you do, there will always be some things that are out of your control. However, there are steps you can take now to better position yourself for a desired role in the future.

Taking charge of your own professional development is a great place to start. Some ideas include:

• Leveling up your skills by enrolling in a class
• Reaching out to your network
• Joining a community like WISE to find mentors
• Utilizing a career or life coach

Remember to prioritize yourself and focus on what’s important to you.

A step back isn't a bad thing.

While it may seem counterintuitive, a step back can be a great opportunity to reflect on what brings you joy and what skills you want to grow in. If you find yourself with time to reflect and regroup, don't rush it. Instead, use it to your advantage to do a lot of deep thinking, researching, or exploring!

Many incidents in your life and your career will knock you off your feet. They can be intimidating and humbling, and in many cases will require swallowing your pride. However, it will force you to make hard choices that will help you move forward and think deeply about what truly matters to you.

Want to learn more? You can stream the full event recording here.

‍Thank you to all of the WISE partners for making this event possible and our panelists for sharing their time and advice.