You Don’t Have to Be Who You Were at the Start of This Job

Why Changing Your Mind at Work Isn’t a Sign of Flakiness—It’s a Sign of Growth

Kamy Charles

6/20/20251 min read

a man and woman standing in front of a poster
a man and woman standing in front of a poster

The Job May Be the Same—But You’re Not

Let’s normalize something:

The version of you who said “yes” to your current role might not be the version of you showing up today.

And that’s not a failure—it’s growth.

In a world that celebrates consistency and labels “loyalty” as a virtue, it’s easy to feel guilty for wanting more. But humans evolve. Circumstances shift. Priorities realign.

So why wouldn’t your career trajectory do the same?

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Why We Resist Change (Even When We Need It)

We stay out of fear:

Fear of being judged for not “toughing it out.”

Fear of disappointing a team that once fit us well.

Fear of starting over when we’ve already built something.

But here’s the cost:

🔒 Stagnation.

🧠 Emotional disengagement.

💡 Dimming of your professional spark.

Your loyalty to an outdated version of yourself might be the very thing holding you back.

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3 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Role

1. You’re performing, not progressing.

You’re good at it—but it no longer stretches you.

2. You’re emotionally drained after work.

Burnout isn’t always about workload. Sometimes, it’s misalignment.

3. You’re dreaming of something else more often than you’re showing up for what is.

Wanderlust for your own life isn’t disloyal—it’s directional.

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What To Do Next

Audit your values.

Are they still reflected in your work?

Give yourself permission.

To explore. To pivot. To say, “This chapter is complete.”

Talk it out.

With a coach, mentor, or trusted colleague. Growth loves witness.

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Final Thought

You’re not obligated to remain the person who started the job.

That version of you got you here.

This version of you gets to decide what’s next.

🛤️ Career evolution is not flakiness—it’s self-leadership.