Finding Peace in the Passenger Seat: Escaping the Cycle of Career Competition
Throughout this week, numerous discussions have revolved around the impact of competition and comparison in our professional paths. During an event where I spoke, I queried the audience about how these factors influenced their journey toward achieving their goals. One response from an attendee particularly struck me.
“It made me feel like I was not doing enough, so I either desperately pursued lofty goals or lowered my expectations because I believed I did not deserve what they had.”
Often, when we encounter competition and comparison, there's a subtle shift that we may not immediately notice. This shift moves us from being passengers to being drivers of our dreams and goals. Initially, it feels empowering to be in control, but over time, the pressure can lead to burnout and frustration and ultimately you feel as though you are on this constant route never-ending pursuit or you feel hopeless as if you don’t belong and both honestly are not great places to be.
So what do we do?
What steps do we take to get off this perpetual cycle of competition and comparison?
How do we find peace in the passenger seat when we are persistently bombarded with the opportunities to put ourselves in the driver’s seat of our destiny?
I want you to understand the fact that on the other side of the bondage of competition and comparison is the freedom of collaboration and celebration.
Understand that the driver’s seat isn’t yours, it is time to repent to God and reposition yourself to the passenger seat ( I experienced more competition and comparison in my career because I was in the right industry but the wrong function- I had to reposition myself to reap the reward of the fulfilling career).
Now that you’re repositioned in your proper seat, this is the second first step in pursuing the Lord’s goals for our careers instead of curating lofty goals or feeling super overwhelmed with goals that were not in alignment with our God-given assignment. You seek the Savior for the strategy wherever there is no strategy you will have a struggle- God’s strategy isn’t cookie-cutter, and it only reveals to those who seek him, this pushes us to be rooted beyond society’s pressure and norms, this pushes us to do the unconventional and bold things, this pushes us to experience peace in a company when everyone else is losing their minds, it positions you to have faith that everything will work out even when it seems like the project is falling apart, it positions you to have safe spaces for leaders to share what they are struggling with, it positions you to gain experience and exposure in ways that you might not have even considered. When we are relentless about being rooted we are strengthened in the process of overcoming cultural expectations.
As a passenger, you view things differently. Your role is observing and enjoying the journey without actively controlling the vehicle's movement. God will give you victory but to experience the victory the way he planned it you must trust the route that vehicle is going. I trusted God in a layoff, I trusted him in a part-time role when I prayed for full time, I trusted him when I worked two jobs, I trusted him when layoff was happening and he was telling me to shift in a contract role that paid more money yet it felt as though I made less due to inflation and taxes and all the adult things. It has been a journey honey, but I rather be uncomfortable and in his will, than comfortable and outside of his will even in my career.
This week, we are hosting A Reign Above. I extend a warm invitation for you to join us in this transformative WERKSHOP. By participating, you will depart empowered to overcome obstacles, equipped to cultivate resilience, and inspired to pursue a partnership with GOD. Through this experience, you will witness GROWTH and emerge as a confident GOAL GETTHER.
