In this episode of SOB: Style of Business, host Keetria sits down with career ownership coach Stacy Heisey-Terrell for a timely conversation about career transitions, personal alignment, and what it really means to take ownership of your time and your future.
As more professionals question the traditional career path, this discussion offers a refreshing perspective on how to pivot with intention rather than fear. Whether you’re feeling stuck, bored, or simply curious about what else might be possible, this conversation is a reminder that you have more options than you think.
From Corporate Track to Career Ownership
Stacy’s journey into coaching didn’t begin with a lifelong dream of entrepreneurship. Like many professionals, she “fell into” her field. She spent decades working in human resources, building a successful corporate career. Over time, however, she started to feel the tension that many professionals experience.
There were moments of frustration—missed promotions, ethical compromises, and the emotional toll of difficult decisions like layoffs. Eventually, she began to question whether there was another way to earn a living while feeling fulfilled.
What she discovered through her own self-reflection was that the parts of HR she truly loved had nothing to do with corporate structure. She enjoyed coaching employees, developing leaders, and building strong teams. Those core strengths became the foundation for her transition into entrepreneurship.
Today, instead of helping corporations shape their workforce, she helps individuals design careers that align with their values, goals, and lifestyles.
Why So Many Professionals Feel the Urge to Pivot
One of the central themes of the conversation is the growing number of people who feel the pull toward something different. Many professionals spend years climbing the corporate ladder, only to reach a point where they realize their original goals no longer reflect who they are.
Early in our careers, the focus is often on promotions, salary increases, and external validation. But as life evolves—through family changes, personal growth, or shifting priorities—those goals can start to feel outdated.
Some people become bored. Others feel overworked, disconnected, or misaligned with their values. And for many, the desire for more flexibility or creative freedom becomes impossible to ignore.
According to Stacy, these feelings aren’t signs of failure. They’re signals. They indicate it may be time to reassess your direction.
The Fear That Holds People Back
Even when someone knows they want a change, fear is often the biggest obstacle.
Many professionals worry about:
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Losing financial stability
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Letting go of benefits like a 401(k) or paid vacation
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Starting over in a new industry
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Not being “qualified” for something different
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Failing after years of success in one field
Stacy says one of the most common statements she hears is:
“I’ve never done that before. I’m not trained for it.”
Her response is simple:
You weren’t an expert in your current role when you first started either.
Experience, skills, and networks are more transferable than most people realize. The key is identifying those transferable strengths and exploring how they can be applied in new ways.
The First Step: Getting Curious
Instead of encouraging people to make sudden, risky leaps, Stacy focuses on exploration and discovery.
Her process begins with helping clients identify:
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Their core skills and abilities
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The types of environments they thrive in
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The people they enjoy working with
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Their long-term goals for income, lifestyle, and impact
From there, the focus shifts to curiosity.
What other roles, industries, or opportunities could use these strengths?
Who else is doing something similar?
What paths exist that you haven’t considered yet?
As clients gather more information, something interesting happens: the fear starts to shrink.
When you replace assumptions with real data, the unknown becomes more manageable. Some people discover exciting new opportunities. Others realize they’re happier staying where they are—but with a new perspective.
Either outcome is valuable because it’s informed by clarity rather than fear.
Career Reinvention and Identity Shifts
One of the most powerful parts of the conversation centers around identity.
Many people define themselves by their job titles:
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“I’m a director.”
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“I’m a data analyst.”
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“I’m an HR manager.”
But what happens when those titles change—or no longer feel right?
Stacy encourages clients to rethink how they define success and identity. Instead of focusing on titles, she suggests focusing on impact and values.
For example:
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“I’m a leader in my community.”
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“I help people solve problems.”
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“I’m present for my family.”
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“I create opportunities for others.”
This shift opens up a world of possibilities. When you’re no longer tied to a specific title, you can explore many different paths that align with your true goals.
Reassessing Goals as Life Changes
Another key insight from the episode is the importance of revisiting your personal goals.
In many corporate environments, employees are constantly setting goals for projects, teams, and company performance. But very few people take the time to set personal goals for their own lives and careers.
Stacy recommends a simple but powerful habit: write your goals down.
Research shows that simply writing down your goals can make you significantly more likely to achieve them. And those goals don’t have to be complicated.
They can include:
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Building a business
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Increasing income
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Taking a family vacation
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Working fewer weekends
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Transitioning into a new role
The key is to keep them visible and revisit them regularly—especially when you start to feel that sense of misalignment.
Recognizing the Signs of Misalignment
Misalignment often shows up as small signals before it becomes a major issue.
You might notice:
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A constant feeling of stress or dissatisfaction
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Lack of excitement about your work
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A sense of boredom despite success
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A desire for more freedom or flexibility
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Curiosity about different career paths
Instead of ignoring these feelings, Stacy encourages professionals to see them as prompts for reflection.
Ask yourself:
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Are my current goals still the right ones?
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Have my priorities changed?
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What would a better situation look like?
These questions can open the door to meaningful career shifts.
What It’s Like to Work with a Career Ownership Coach
For professionals considering a change, Stacy offers a structured yet supportive coaching process.
Her sessions focus on:
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Identifying long-term goals for income, lifestyle, and impact
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Exploring core skills and transferable strengths
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Evaluating what’s missing from the current environment
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Brainstorming potential career or business opportunities
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Researching and gathering real-world data
Through this process, clients often experience powerful “aha” moments. They begin to see possibilities they hadn’t considered before, and they realize they’re not as stuck as they once believed.
Stacy describes these moments as life-giving—when someone recognizes they have options and the power to make a change.
Taking the First Step Toward Change
At the end of the episode, Stacy shares a simple but powerful reminder:
A life-changing moment happens when you take the first step to do something different.
Many people want their lives to change, but they hesitate at the starting line. That first step often feels the hardest, especially when fear and uncertainty are involved.
But change doesn’t have to happen all at once. It can start with:
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A conversation with a coach
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Writing down your goals
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Researching new opportunities
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Talking to someone in a different field
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Exploring a side project
Small steps can create momentum, and momentum creates transformation.
Final Thoughts
This conversation is a powerful reminder that careers are not meant to be static. As life evolves, so do our goals, priorities, and definitions of success.
If you’ve been feeling the urge to pivot, reinvent yourself, or simply explore what else is possible, this episode offers both encouragement and practical insight. You don’t have to stay stuck in a role that no longer fits. With clarity, curiosity, and the right support, a new path is always within reach.
Sometimes, all it takes is the courage to take that first step—and the willingness to imagine a different future.
To learn more about Stacy Heisey-Terrell and her career ownership coaching, connect with her on LinkedIn or visit her website to schedule a consultation.
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