Embracing Change Without Losing Your Core: The "Don't Throw Out the Baby" Story

In our professional journeys, we often reach a point where we feel the need for change. This moment can be both exhilarating and terrifying, especially when our identity is deeply intertwined with our current career. At Archer & Associates, we call this the "Don't Throw Out the Baby" moment.

Many of us start out with a dream from a young age, or perhaps during our school years. We put countless hours of effort into a special skill. For Ava, it was dance. By high school, Ava was attending a prestigious dance school in Seattle six days per week, training for many hours in multiple styles of dance. She dreamed of being on Broadway. By her senior year of high school, Ava realized she was talented, but not special. Surrounded by dancers who surpassed her skill and strength, she decided to go to University rather than directly into a performing arts career. She was inspired by Gene Kelley, who earned his degree in economics before becoming a famous dancer and movie star. 

Ava's identity was evolving. While at University, she continued to dance. She also financed her education by teaching dance. Dancing led to singing and acting. Acting led to being on camera as a journalist. As she completed her degree, she knew that reaching people through media and journalism was her next chapter. Soon after, the internet went mainstream and she transitioned again into the technology industry where she used her gift for storytelling in marketing and sales organizations. 

Many of us face this dilemma. We work hard to achieve success in our chosen field, only to find ourselves yearning for something different. The key is not to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Instead, we should take a closer look at our experiences and identify the core elements that can be carried forward. This approach allows us to honor our past while embracing the future.

The "Don't Throw Out the Baby" story is about recognizing that the skills and experiences we've accumulated are valuable, even if we decide to change our career path. It's about understanding that we don't have to discard everything we've worked for. Instead, we can build on it to create the next version of ourselves. Ava's journey was not a series of disconnected leaps but a continuous evolution. Each phase of her career built on the previous one, incorporating the skills and lessons she had learned along the way.

At Archer & Associates, we help clients navigate this transition. We explore their career history, identify transferable skills, and create a roadmap for the next phase of their journey. This process is both deep and practical, guiding individuals to discover where they are stuck and ready to grow. It's about finding the balance between honoring the past and embracing the future.

So, if you find yourself at a crossroads, remember: Don't throw out the baby. Embrace your experiences, build on them, and create the next version of you. Your journey is unique, and every step you've taken so far has prepared you for what's next. 

Reach out to start your leadership journey with us!