Career journeys can be very emotional

I am a huge fan of the singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen.

His passionate music and evocative lyrics reflect an old soul and a deep thinker. I relate to so many of his lyrics.

One night, a while ago, a verse from one of my favorite of his songs, “One Step Up,” kept playing over and over in my head like it was on some endless loop.

“When I look at myself, I don’t see the man I wanted to be
Somewhere along the line, I slipped off track
I’m caught movin’ one step up and two steps back.”

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I find these lyrics poetic, emotional, and eloquent. The story focuses on a broken relationship and the hopelessness and anguish that is felt.

I couldn’t help but think the lyrics were a metaphor for many professionals who feel broken and lost.

They look in the mirror and are not content with what they have achieved or who they are professionally. They are tired of trying and often feel like they are taking steps back.

Somewhere along the way, they veer off the track and need help finding the right path forward.

Career journeys can be very emotional.

It can be challenging to tackle the self-defeating dialogue in your head that prevents you from pursuing a path you want to take. Likewise, developing the right mindset to unlock yourself from feeling stuck can be tricky.

Sometimes you need to assess what obstacles have been standing in your way.

Sometimes you need help to battle your hesitation and procrastination.

Sometimes you may need an advocate to help you overcome your wavering confidence and self-doubts.

Bruce’s lyrics inspired me to help professionals step up their game and be the person they are proud of when they look at themselves in the mirror.

This, for me, is the beauty of music. It speaks to me in ways that I can speak to others.