What Do I Do Next? The Question That Changed My Life
The Momentum Files #55
A true story of career clarity and reinvention.
"Hi, I’m Cindy, an executive career coach helping professionals clarify what’s next—whether they’re growing into leadership, navigating change, or building something new."
When the Rug Got Pulled Out - Now What Do I Do?
“What do I do now?”
That was the question I asked myself the moment everything fell apart.
I had a seat at the table. I was leading a company, negotiating equity, shaping its future—and then, in a single moment, I was out.
I felt the full weight of that question when I lost a role I loved under heartbreaking circumstances. I had just led the sale of a home health care company I was running and was in negotiations to stay on, continue growing the business, and finally earn equity. But at the last moment, the new owner decided she didn’t need me.
Just like that, everything changed.
At the same time, I was going through a divorce and raising young kids. I found myself suddenly without a job, without a clear path, and with a lot of people depending on me.
Facing the Unknown
I felt like a failure in both my personal and professional life. I was overwhelmed with uncertainty.
What should I do next? What could I do that would provide flexibility, income, and fulfillment?
That question became my constant companion - and eventually, my turning point.
It's the same question I now hear from so many of my clients. And often, it leads to even deeper ones:
What do I really want in my career?
What’s the work that actually excites me?
What would make me love my job again?
The year was 2004. The industry I came from, staffing and recruiting, was suffering, and I knew I didn’t want to return to it.
But what else was out there?
Discovering a New Path
Then I found coaching.
At the time, it was still a relatively new profession. But when I learned what a coach actually did, it felt like everything clicked. Helping people gain clarity, build confidence, overcome imposter syndrome, and take bold, strategic steps forward?
That had been the heart of my work for years in corporate leadership - I just didn’t know there was a name for it.
I also realized something deeper: what I love most is helping accomplished professionals love their careers again, to wake up excited, energized, and proud of the work they do.
Whether it’s finding the ideal next role (not just a job), negotiating the compensation they truly deserve, advancing into leadership, or starting a business that reflects their values, this work is about building careers that feel meaningful and fulfilling.
Or as I say on my website:
“Don’t wait any longer to love your career or business.”
I leaned in. And for the first time in a long time, I felt excited, hopeful, and energized about the future.
Coaching aligned perfectly with my values and my vision for life and work.
The Power of Having a Coach
As part of my certification journey, I worked with a coach myself, and it was a game-changer. That support helped me launch my business with clarity and momentum.
Since then, I’ve continued investing in my own growth through additional courses, certifications, and ongoing coaching.
I work with my coach for the same reasons my clients come to me…
✔ perspective,
✔ accountability,
✔ strategic thinking, and
✔ learning from someone who’s already walked the path.
It’s helped me move forward faster, avoid costly missteps, and build something meaningful with more ease than if I’d gone it alone.
Their Stories Were My Story
And as I started working with clients, I noticed something powerful: their stories were identical to mine.
They were ambitious, accomplished professionals facing moments of growth or transition—whether due to career change, leadership challenges, role expansion, or the desire to find more purpose in their work.
And they were asking the same questions I had asked:
What do I do now?
Where do I even begin?
How do I grow, lead, and show up with clarity and confidence?
What Coaching Can Really Do
That’s why this work is so deeply personal to me.
I know what it feels like to be in the in-between—uncertain, overwhelmed, and under pressure.
I also know how much easier and more empowering it becomes when you have someone in your corner.
Coaching, I realized, isn’t just about finding a new job. It’s like rebuilding your foundation before you construct what’s next - solid, purposeful, and aligned.
Or, as I often say to clients: if you don’t know what you’re looking for, it’s hard to find it.
That’s why the first - and most important step - is getting clear on what you want. When you know that, the looking becomes easier, the decisions more confident, and the path more aligned.
This is the cornerstone of how I work: blending strategy and mindset shifts to help clients move forward with purpose, whether they're reinventing, reentering, or rising into leadership.
A Client Story: From Stuck to Clear
One of my long-time clients, a dynamic and strategic leader with experience across Amazon, NBCUniversal, and multiple high-growth startups, first came to me nearly six years ago. At the time, he was navigating a major career transition and looking to realign his goals with opportunities that matched his vision and leadership capacity.
Over the years, he has hired me at key inflection points in his career - whether stepping into a new executive role, negotiating compensation, clarifying his personal brand, or preparing for strategic moves across industries.
Our work has included everything from developing his leadership bio to sharpening his brand messaging to guiding him through tough business decisions with clarity and focus.
Today, he leads strategic and sustainability partnerships at Amazon, while also advising multiple early-stage startups and impact-driven ventures.
Reflecting on our work together, he shared:
“I have worked with Cindy going on six (6) years and can honestly say that my career would not be where it is today without her. She has been a mentor and advisor through the most difficult business and career decisions. Her counsel has been invaluable and provided me with confidence to lead with focus, purpose, and self-confidence. I hope everyone has the chance to work with Cindy because she is a career accelerant!”
Clients like him are a powerful reminder that coaching isn’t just for those feeling lost - it’s also for those on the rise, who want to lead with clarity, grow with intention, and accelerate their impact.
And that’s just one example.
A Broader Impact
Since starting my coaching journey, the work has grown far beyond one-on-one transitions.
I've had the privilege of supporting professionals and organizations across a wide range of industries and stages:
Created and led courses for moms returning to work after career breaks
Coached senior leaders on management growth, leadership presence, and communication
Helped early-career professionals navigate their first or second jobs, and MBA’s launch their career pivot
Worked with clients from every background—from nurses and actors to tech executives and marketing professionals
Built and facilitated a 5-year-strong mastermind and networking group, Career Club
Partnered with companies to develop their leadership teams and strengthen team dynamics
Delivered talks and workshops on personal branding, networking, and professional clarity
Created and hosted the Women Empowering Women group to support and connect female solopreneurs
Each of these experiences has deepened my belief in the power of clarity, confidence, and connection.
Whether you're just starting out, stepping into leadership, or rebuilding after a detour, transformational change is possible when you're aligned and supported.
Why I Do This Work
That’s the work I get to do now. And it’s the work that has transformed not just my career, but my life.
If you’re in a season of change or growth, or know someone who is, I want you to know: you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Coaching made all the difference for me, and it might for you, too.
So I’ll leave you with this:
Have you ever faced a moment when everything changed, or when you knew it was time to grow?
What did you learn from it?
I’d love to hear your story. Hit reply, share this with someone who might need it, or reach out if you’re navigating a transition or preparing for a big leap forward.
You've got this - and you don't have to do it alone.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If this story resonated with you, here are a few ways to take inspired action:
👉 Explore my free resources – Whether you're navigating a layoff or need to sharpen your networking game, check out these free guides:
🎯 Apply for 1:1 coaching – If you're ready to grow as a leader, gain clarity, or build what's next, let’s talk.
🤝 Join Career Club – Connect with other driven professionals navigating career growth and transition.
✉️ Already on my list? Then you’re in the right place. Stay tuned for weekly insights, stories, and tools to help you grow and lead with clarity.
There’s a next level waiting for you - and you don’t have to reach it alone.
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Coming This Fall: The Early Career Job-Seekers Workshop! 🚀
Are you (or someone you know) launching a job search after college or trying to land that all-important second role?
This interactive online workshop is designed just for early-career professionals, giving you the clarity, confidence, and strategy you need to stand out and move forward.
You’ll get expert guidance on resumes, networking, interviews, and more, plus tools that actually work in today’s job market.
📅 Doors open this fall for LaunchPad - stay tuned for details and early access.
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Let’s launch your career - with intention.