Saying 'no' to get to 'yes'

Quick update: We are gearing up for the From Applicant to Explorer course on Jan. 6, and I'm thrilled to share that last week's course overview generated the most signups yet!

I wanted to remind you that I’m offering a Personalized 1:1 Guide Review (usually $50) for the first 25 people to register. I still have bonus spots open, and I would love to use one of them to help you refine your job hunt plan personally.

It is rare that I get to do 1:1 feedback at this price point ($25 for the whole course!), so if you’ve been waiting for a sign to jump in — this is it.

Without a doubt, one of my favorite things about writing this newsletter is connecting with people. I love to hear your stories, commiserate over your struggles, and celebrate your successes.

As we barrel toward the end of 2025, I want to take a moment to appreciate those who generously shared their experiences with Explore Your Career River this year, and to revisit some of their stories with one key question in mind:

What was your non-negotiable?

Understanding where you cannot compromise brings enormous clarity to your career choices. A non-negotiable can be what you must have, or must avoid. It's not set in stone for all of time, but can and will shift as your circumstances change.

Knowing your non-negotiable means you can say "no" to the opportunities that don't fit your needs. It's as clear as a solid riverbank. And this leaves you open to saying "yes" to those options that do meet your needs – heading toward a wide-open channel. If you aren't sure whether or not something meets your non-negotiable, well, now you know what you need to find out!

Here are a few examples of how people have used their non-negotiables to know when to say "no" to find their way to "yes":

• Look for what you love. Former McDonald's USA marketing exec Neil Golden decided to find his next chapter by pursuing what he loved about working at McDonald's for nearly 25 years: "Everything that I said was important to me is happening. It's just I'm not in the type of role that I would have expected."
• Know your narrative thread. Even if you've had a wildly varied career, Ken Schneck has found that connecting the dots for your professional journey can help point you toward the work that will energize you.
  
  "I was taught by someone to say yes to everything. 'You never know where it's going to lead,'" he said. "There's an asterisk there. Yes, say yes to everything that's on brand for you. But if you don't know what your narrative thread is, if you don't know what your brand is, you are going to burn out."
• Take time to relax - especially when things get stressful. You wouldn't think Gary Ware's first move after learning he was losing his job and his house on the same day would be to pull out some Legos. But it helped him get ready to move forward. "We can’t play if we don’t feel safe. But the interesting thing is, it's sort of a paradox, because play gets us into that feeling of safety."

Happy navigating,
Bridget

P.S. If you’re on the fence about the course, remember that the Early Explorer Bonus (a free 30-minute private review with me) is still available. You basically get a coaching session plus the 4-week course for just $25. I don't know how long these spots will last, so grab yours now. Learn more.