Hi there Reader,
“I’m stuck on figuring out my skills, but I just need to work on it,” a client told me last week.
Heads-up: This email highlights an event on 11 Feb, and professors, you’re invited! All the info you need is here: IMPACT 2025. It’s faculty development for YOU, not your institution.
Back to my stuck client, far be it from me to argue when someone comes up with a solution to their own problem.
But (disagreement incoming), I’ve been doing this long enough to know that “I just need to work on it” is rarely the real answer.
Spending more time doing the same thing might help. But more often, what makes the difference is this:
Pause. Reflect. Choose a different strategy.
That’s exactly what my client and I did. We came up with an approach that felt doable and even energizing—a whole lot better than “Well, I just…” (deep sigh).
Here’s what I told her: Think about a specific class she loved teaching. We’d talked about it before, and I know it was a highlight for her.
- What made it meaningful, fulfilling, and fun?
- What did she do to make it a success?
- What skills stood out in creating that great experience?
This simple exercise opened up new insights—ones she could use to shape the job she already has or think about what she wants next.
Now, a week later, she’s making progress on figuring out what she wants to do next, and feeling better about it!
Insights you can use is what my upcoming workshop is all about.
On Tuesday, Feb 11, I’m leading a live session: “You’re More Than Your CV: Recognize Your Impact, Redefine Your Career.” It’s part of a half-day event called IMPACT 2025, designed just for professors and other faculty members.
This workshop is your chance to:
✅ Pause and reflect on what truly matters to you.
✅ Recognize the impact you’ve already made.
✅ Choose a new strategy for moving forward in your career.
It’s designed for faculty who know they want to make a positive impact—even if it’s not always obvious how.
If that sounds like you, block off Tuesday afternoon (Feb 11) and join me. This is your opportunity to pause, reflect, and realign your professional life with your values and goals.
👉 Register for IMPACT 2025 (and my workshop).
Let’s find that energizing next step together!
Cheers,
Jen
P.S. I’m leading a workshop called “You’re More Than Your CV: Recognize Your Impact, Redefine Your Career” as part of a brilliant half-day event for faculty members on Tuesday, 11 Feb, starting at 1pm EST. Join us!
Jennifer Polk, PhD
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