Shifting Gears: Why Your Career Deserves More Than First Gear

For the longest time I drove a manual car. If you have never driven a manual car, here are a few short steps. NB this is not a lesson on driving a manual car but please stay with me.

1. Use your left foot to press the clutch pedal all the way down. This is necessary to change gears smoothly without damaging the gear box.

2. With the clutch fully pressed, use your hand to move the gear stick into the desired gear.

3. Gradually lift your left foot off the clutch pedal while simultaneously pressing the accelerator gently with your right foot. This smooth transition ensures you don’t stall or jerk the car.

4. As you release the clutch, gently press the accelerator to give the engine more power. The car should now be in the new gear and moving smoothly.

5. Repeat as necessary, shifting the gears up when accelerating and down when slowing.

Now imagine driving a manual car and staying stuck in first gear. The car would strain and you’d barely pick up speed. Now, think about your career the same way. If you’ve been stuck in the same routine, doing the same things day in and day out for many years, it’s like you’re driving in first gear, not gaining speed, straining and missing out on the full potential of the road ahead.

Shifting into higher gears is essential for getting anywhere fast, and it’s the same with your career. Yes first gear is necessary to get things moving, but you are not meant to stay there too long. Doing the same tasks everyday in the same environment might be comfortable and ‘safe’, but it won’t push you forward. If you’re serious about growth, you need to be ready to shift into higher gears.

Shifting gears in your career can feel risky. Maybe you’ve mastered your current role, and it feels safe. But comfort doesn’t equal progress. To get where you truly want to go, you’ll need to embrace the discomfort of learning something new. Take on a new project, learn a new skill and  push for that promotion you know you’re ready for. Just like in a car, the shift feels smoother with practice.

So how do you know when it’s time to shift? Pay attention to the signs. Just like you can feel when the car’s engine is working too hard, ideally you can sense when it’s time for more. If you’re feeling unchallenged, uninspired, or like you’re not moving forward, take this as a sign that it’s time to switch gears. We are all different so all I can say is trust yourself to know when it’s time to push for more.

Shifting into higher gears doesn’t mean making huge, reckless moves. It’s about knowing your pace and recognizing when it’s time to accelerate. Set clear goals for your career, ask for feedback from your manager and look out for and be open to growth opportunities. Sometimes the higher gear comes from stepping into leadership roles, taking on more responsibilities, or even advocating for yourself in key meetings. Shifting into a higher career gear might also require you to look outside of your current organization, your current industry or even a completely different function.

There will be moments on your journey when the road is clear and you’re able to shift quickly and accelerate. Take full advantage if these moments. There are also sections of your journey where you need to be cautious and slow down. That’s all part of the journey. You might experience a few bumps, conflict, discouragement, just remember no one becomes an expert driver without a few bumps along the way. Keep learning, keep adapting, and most importantly, don’t let fear keep you stuck in first gear.

Your career is a journey, and you deserve to experience all that the road ahead has to offer. Don’t limit yourself to the safety of first gear. Shift up, take control and own your career. If the road is wide open, then it’s time to go full throttle. So, what are you waiting for? Shift gears, and show yourself first and the world what you’re truly capable of!

Gratitude – going forward I am introducing this section on what I am grateful for and this week I am grateful for my husband. He is my biggest cheerleader, mentor, career coach and career counselor. It is said one of the most important career decisions you will make is who you marry. I whole heartedly agree with this. Mr Bee thank you 🙏, from the bottom of my heart. And thank you Lord for bringing us together.

PS: If you have enjoyed reading this post, remember to subscribe, share the link with a friend and drop a comment and let me know how you are shifting gears in your career.

Mrs Bee, aka Mum In Stilettos