Holly Sh*t! That’s Possible

Have you ever looked at a successful executive and thought, "I could never do that"?

I've been there too, and let me tell you, it's one of the biggest obstacles standing between you and your dream career.

Early in my career journey, I remember looking at the executives and thinking they were a different breed. Smarter, more confident, born for leadership.

It wasn't until I started working closely with one that I realized something crucial: they were human, just like me.

They had doubts, made mistakes, and learned along the way. The main difference? They believed in themselves and their ability to figure things out.

This realization was a game-changer for me, and today, I want to share with you the most powerful mindset strategy that many aspiring executives overlook: developing the habit of believing in yourself.

The 4-Minute Mile: A Lesson in Possibility

I want to share a story that perfectly illustrates this point. For years, running a mile in under four minutes was considered impossible.

Experts claimed the human body simply wasn't capable of it. Then, on May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister did the impossible. He ran a mile in 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds.

Here's the kicker: within just 46 days, John Landy beat Bannister's record. And within three years, 16 other runners had also broken the 4-minute barrier. What changed? The human body didn't suddenly evolve.

What changed was the belief that it was possible.

This is the power of “If you can see it, you can be it”. Once we see someone like us achieve something, it shifts from impossible to possible in our minds.

The Invisible Ceiling in Your Mind

As high achievers, we often pride ourselves on our rational thinking and practical approach. But our mindset has a much bigger impact on our career success than we'd like to admit.

In fact, our mindset is one of the biggest (silent) career killers.

We hold ourselves back with fears and limiting beliefs:

• "I'm not experienced enough for that role."

• "I don't have the right background to be a C-level executive."

• "People like me don't become VPs."

These thoughts create an invisible ceiling in our minds, limiting what we believe is possible for us.

However, if you can't see yourself in a role, you're much less likely to take the actions necessary to get there.

Finding Your Roger Bannister and Turning Inspiration into Action

Breaking through your mental ceiling starts with finding the right role models and learning how to leverage their inspiration.

There’s nothing more powerful than seeing someone else’s success up close and realizing that YOU could do that too.

In fact, I would argue it’s one of the skills that sets successful executives apart.

Want to practice this mindset? Here’s how you can get started:

1. Seek out relatable role models: Look beyond famous CEOs and online influencers. Find role models who've walked a path similar to yours or came from similar beginnings.

Focus on role models who are one or two steps ahead of you, not decades.

An easy way to do this is to search LinkedIn filtering for the role, seniority, industry, or profession.

Another way to find stand-out examples is to look for industry or community events and review the list of speakers.

2. Establish a connection: Many successful people are willing to help others climb the ladder. Don't be afraid to reach out for advice or mentorship.

Start with a thoughtful email or LinkedIn message, showing that you've done your homework on their career and have specific questions.

Remember, the worst they can say is no.

3. Deep dive into their journey: Once you've had a chance to connect with potential role models, study their entire journey, not just their current success.

What skills did they develop? What risks did they take? What setbacks did they face and how did they overcome them?

This detailed analysis will provide a practical roadmap and prepare you for potential challenges.

4. Adopt their mindset and decision-making process: The most valuable lesson from a role model is often how they think.

Pay attention to how they approach problems and make decisions. Try to understand their thought process and adapt it to your own situation.

This mental shift can be transformative.

5. Implement and iterate: Take what you've learned and put it into action. Set goals inspired by your role model's path, but tailored to your unique circumstances.

Regularly reflect on your progress, adjusting your approach as needed.

As you grow, pay it forward by becoming a role model for others, reinforcing your own growth mindset.

Let me share a success story that illustrates this approach.

My client’s goal was to become a C-level executive and eventually build her own business.

Initially, she estimated leveling up from Director to C-Level would take 5-7 years.

So she focused on interviewing for Director and Sr. Director roles.

Then she learned about this mindset strategy and realized she might be limiting her own potential. So she put it to the test by reaching out to CXOs to research their journey.

What she realized changed everything.

After speaking with C-Level executives in her industry she came to the conclusion she should go for the skip-level promotion now!

Not only did she have most of the skills and experiences these executives had, she saw proof a skip-level promotion was possible.

Some of the leaders she spoke with have done it themselves (and had advice to help her do it too).

Instead of waiting 5 years and following the ‘normal’ path she changed her strategy and pursued a C-Level role.

Five months later she accepted a C-Level role.

Believing she could do it saved her five years of hard work.

Her reaction?

“Holly sh*t! I can’t believe that’s possible for me!”.

Your Next Steps: Finding Your Career Catalysts

We often decide what we can and can’t do based on fears. We only go after what’s realistic when we don’t know what’s possible for us.

The easiest way to change that? Find proof that what you want to do is possible.

Ready to start strengthening your self-belief?

Find your Roger Bannister: Identify someone who's achieved something you think is "impossible" for you.

Research their journey and identify what made it possible for them. Because if they could do it, you could probably do it too.

You just need to figure out the HOW.

Seeing someone like you succeed doesn't just give you ideas—it gives you permission to believe in your own potential

I believe in you, and I’m rooting for you.

Maya ❤️