How to Trust the Timing of your Life

Welcome to the 50 new subscribers to Going Places! I’m so happy you’re here.

This is gonna be a vulnerable one.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been in my metaphorical garden trying to grow something beautiful– 

my business goals, my content, my next moves– 

but the comparison trap has felt like a tornado tearing straight through everything I’ve planted.

Every time I look around at someone else who seems to be in full bloom, I start to question if my soil is even fertile.

If I’m even cut out for this.

I’ve asked myself on several occasions lately:
“What am I doing wrong? Why isn’t all of my hard work working?”

And it doesn’t stop there.

My comparison trap kicks up frustrated thoughts like,

“I’m just as [smart / talented / experienced / charismatic] as they are, so why are they getting [the book deal / the followers / the sold-out speaking event / the brand partnership] instead of me?”

Ick. I know. I hate that I even wrote that out, but it’s real.

It’s also a huge, blaring signal to me that I need to reset, ASAP.

We each have the choice to either:

A) Sit in that wrecked garden, bitter and convinced that just because someone else is blooming right now that means we never will

B) Forget about what is– or isn’t– happening on the other side of the fence, and continue to tend to our own business, regardless of the timeline

If you’re into Option B, here’s a reframe that helps me recenter every time.

How to Trust the Timing of Your Life with Timezone Theory:

The time in London is 6 hours ahead of NYC.

The time in LA is 3 hours behind NYC.

But LA isn’t “too late,”

NYC isn’t “on track,”

and London isn’t “moving too fast.”

They’re just in different timezones,

and the time in each city is correct.

–

If you’re trudging through a tough job search, watching others update their LinkedIn profiles with new offers, you’re just in different timezones.

If you’re posting personal brand content consistently, watching someone else’s follower count increase while yours stays the same, you’re just in different timezones (and BTW, more followers doesn’t always mean they’re making more of an impact).

If you’re surviving in a job you’ve outgrown but need during a time of transition, you’re not behind the person with their dream job. You’re just in different time zones.

With you all the way,

Janel

This week’s question comes from Shelley, over on Instagram. She writes:

The “world is my oyster” moment— equal parts thrilling and totally overwhelming, right?

First, let’s honor that it sucks to be laid off from something you loved. That’s grief-worthy. But also, what a wild and rare window you’ve got right now to design your next chapter from scratch.

Here’s what I’d reflect on if I were in your shoes (Oh wait, I have been! I’ve moved to London, San Francisco, and back to NYC in pursuit of purpose):

• What kind of life do you want to build— not just what job do you want next?
  Career clarity gets way easier when you zoom out. Think: What pace of life do I want? What kind of people do I want to be surrounded by? What does “ideal everyday” feel like?

• City-wise:
  Don’t just follow the jobs— follow where you free true to youself. A city should support the version of you you're becoming. Are you craving community? Creative energy? Nature? Affordability? A clean break? Be honest about your lifestyle needs, not just your career goals.

• Career-wise:
  Instead of asking “What should I do?”, ask “What do I want to solve?”
  What problems are interesting to you right now? What conversations light you up? Start there.

One more thing:

The answer might not be a place or a job—it might be a season.
A season of experimentation, of short-term stints, of trying out two cities before committing to one. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start moving in the direction that feels a little more like you.

Love the newsletter but want more? Did you know I’ve put together an entire course called Pivot with Purpose? It’s a clear, proven method to break out of your “Millennial Career Crisis” and find meaning and fulfillment in a new 9-5!