303 I What Happens When You Stop Following the ‘Safe’ Career Track

As we move through the first full working week of January, many professionals find themselves reflecting on their careers and questioning whether the path they’re on still fits. In this episode, I reflect on my biggest career pivot - stepping off the default legal career track while on maternity leave and how that single decision shaped a fulfilling portfolio career over the last 10 years. This episode is an invitation to rethink rigid career paths, embrace experimentation, and give yourself permission to choose again as your life, priorities, and seasons change. ✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why clarity often comes after action, not before and why waiting to have it all figured out keeps many people stuck How I made her first career pivot without taking a reckless leap, and how small, strategic transitions can de-risk change Why careers are meant to evolve and how to design work that fits your life, not just what looks good on paper 🧭 Key Themes We Explore Stepping off the “default” career path Redefining success after major life transitions Overcoming fear, identity shifts, and fear of judgement Building a portfolio career aligned with your strengths Testing, experimenting, and making intentional pivots Giving yourself permission to choose differently 🎯 Action Steps Reflect on whether your current career still fits the season of life you’re in now, not the one you were in when you chose it. Identify what you don’t want anymore, clarity often starts there. Consider where you could experiment or test before making a bigger change. 🤍 Work With Me If you’re at a crossroads and want support designing a career that fits your life, not just one that looks good on paper, this is exactly the work I do with clients in 1:1 coaching. 👉 Book a Career Clarity Call 🔔 Enjoyed This Episode? If this resonated, share it with a friend who might need permission to choose again in 2026. Don’t forget to

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303 I What Happens When You Stop Following the ‘Safe’ Career Track is an episode from The Career Change Maker Podcast by Janine Esbrand - Executive Coach, Career Strategist, Keynote Speaker .

This episode is 15:24 long.

This episode was published on Jan 8, 2026.

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