Have you ever noticed how the noise of everyday life can drown out your inner music? As mothers navigating career transitions, we often get caught up in perfection, waiting for the ideal moment to make our move. But what if the secret to finding your path lies in simply being a “C student” and turning up your inner soundtrack?
The Power of Being a “C Student” in Your Career Journey
Recently, I attended an inspiring online session with Cathy Heller that beautifully shifted my perspective on taking action during career transitions. She shared something that resonated deeply with me: “Be a C student, because C students make things happen. They make stuff happen.”
This concept hit home immediately. How many times have you postponed launching your dream project because everything wasn’t perfectly aligned? As working mothers, we often trap ourselves in analysis paralysis (I surely am guilty of this!) and we are waiting for the perfect conditions that rarely arrive.
C students don’t overthink it. They:
- Record the podcast without perfect audio equipment
- Launch the business before the website is flawless
- Host the workshop before they feel “expert enough”
They experiment, create, and simply try different things—the exact approach I’ve always advocated as essential for self-discovery during career transitions.
The Three-Minute Exercise That Changed Everything (seriously!)
During this session, Kathy challenged participants to a three-minute creative exercise—to be messy, creative, and just write, draw, sing, or express whatever came to mind.
Sitting in my car, jazz music playing softly in the background, I initially felt silly attempting this. But then I surrendered to the process, and what emerged in those three minutes brought unexpected tears to my eyes. I started telling myself a story.
The Bondi Beach Saturday Morning
The music transported me back to my beloved Bondi home (oh, Australia how much I miss you!), where I lived for a large chunk of my life. Where I found myself.
I could feel the sunshine and hear the surfers outside my window on those magical Saturday mornings.
The vibrant breakfast culture came alive in my mind—people sitting outside cafés, others heading to the beach with their bags, the intoxicating aroma of fresh coffee filling the air.
In my visualization, I was skipping down the street toward my favorite brunch spot, Brown Sugar, feeling that internal music building—this is going to be the best day ever. I could already taste the eggs with asparagus and that perfect coffee.
The anticipation was delicious.
When Plans Change: The Moment of Choice
Then a text text on my phone: “I’m not coming. I’m sorry, something happened.”
Instantly, the music stopped. The surrounding noise intensified—people chattering, cars searching for parking, waiters rushing past.
What was once a beautiful morning symphony became chaotic discord.
This is the moment that matters most in any transition—the moment of choice.
The waiter calls my name: “Hey, Meli! Your table’s ready for you!”
The Choice We All Face During Transitions
At this pivotal moment, I had 2 options:
- Listen to the external chaos and abandon my plans and head back home, surrendering to circumstance.
- Choose to turn my music back on despite being alone.
This visualization perfectly shows the choice we face as women in transition. When unexpected changes disrupt our carefully laid plans—whether a career setback, a family obligation, or a global pandemic—we always have a choice about how we respond. This is as true in career transitions for women as it is everywhere else.
It’s about: Choosing Your Music Every Day
What struck me most about this quick exercise was how clearly it revealed (once again) a universal truth: we get to choose our response in every moment.
Every day, we get to decide:
- Will we drown out our internal music with external noise and busy chatter?
- Or will we turn up that music inside us and continue our dance?
As mothers navigating career changes, this choice becomes even more crucial. The outside world offers plenty of reasons why your transition might be “impractical” or “poorly timed.” The noise of others’ opinions can quickly overpower your inner wisdom if you let it.
Why This Matters for Your Career Transition
When you’re considering a career pivot, launching a business, or as a SAHM returning to work after focusing on family, embracing the “C student” mentality and choosing your music become powerful tools for progress.
Your career transition doesn’t need to be perfect to be worthwhile. Taking imperfect action—sitting at that metaphorical table alone when plans change—often leads to unexpected opportunities and growth.
Your Invitation to Turn Up Your Music
Today, I invite you to be conscious of this choice in your own life and career journey.
Be aware that you have the power in every moment to decide what you give your attention to and how you create your day.
Ask yourself:
- Where am I letting external noise drown out my inner wisdom?
- What would taking imperfect action look like in my career transition?
- How can I turn up my internal music today, even when circumstances aren’t ideal?
Remember, the “C students” who take messy action are the ones who discover new paths, create meaningful work, and ultimately find fulfillment—not because everything went according to plan, but because they chose to keep their music playing regardless of circumstances.
What music will you choose to play today?
Are you navigating motherhood while contemplating “what’s next” in your career? Join our free membership at sunnychapter.com to connect with like-minded moms and find tools to help you navigate your next steps with confidence. For personalized guidance on your unique journey, one-on-one coaching is also available. I know what it’s like to feel you’ve lost yourself, to start from zero in a new country, and to transform a career—I’ve done it several times as a single mom across four countries, and I’d love to help you build a work life that truly aligns with who you are.
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