#4 The "Greener Grass" Myth
“The grass is greener where you water it”
– Unknown
💛 LIFE NOTE
What is your relationship status with AI 🤖?
It's complicated. We flirt, I steal its ideas, it probably writes better code than me.
We're in an open relationship. I do the strategic thinking, it does the grunt work.
Officially dating. Hope it doesn't ghost me when the next big thing comes along.
Personally, I’m in an open relationship. Finding myself playing more and more with AI tools.
But definitely not leveraging its full potential - yet.
This week, I decided to double down on my AI usage. 🤝
Upskilling, and experimenting with it, more intentionally.
I believe that AI won’t take our jobs. But someone using AI efficiently will. 😌
I challenged it across a range of my activities.
CV design, interview prep, custom career workshop design or content creation.
Here are 3 things I’ve found particularly interesting with my AI experiments:
AI is great to brainstorm and target what to focus on effectively - great to get the creative juice flowing
AI always finds something to improve - mind the trap of perfectionism, close the loop when necessary
Crossing AI outputs provides best results - just like gathering multiple humans’ feedback has always delivered best results
Today, I’m blown away by the speed at which AI models, services and abilities are scaling. 🤯
About a year ago - at UBS, I needed prompt engineers to get good results.
Today, not only I can develop my content or ideas on a walk using VoicePal.
I can also deploy my custom app simply by vibe coding on Replit or Windsurf.
As we wonder about the impacts of AI in 10, 20 or 30 years, one thing is for sure.
Now, will always be the less competitive time it’s ever been to get involved. 🥅
Which is actually a lot of fun! 🥳
It no longer matters whether we’re doomers or supporters.
AI revolution is already happening. 🏴☠️
Our careers in Tech are becoming more exciting - and frankly, more demanding than ever before!
Our next role will no longer rely on specialism or repetitive skills that an AI can replicate.
Instead, it will increasingly depend on our ability to master tools and techniques to cope with the speed of change. 🧰
Being AI literate, creative, adaptable, continuous learner, critical thinker or complex problem-solver are our best chances to stay relevant in a rapid changing professional landscape.
So friend, while the world around us forces us to confront our internal career narratives.
It’s the perfect time to talk about another kind of change - one that we often overlook.
A myth that still holds many ambitious professionals like us back.
The idea that “the grass is always greener on the other side.”
Let’s do this ⚡️
PS: I hope this post inspires you ✨ to incorporate AI usage in your day-to-day activities 🤖
👩🏻💻 CAREER NOTE
Why Your Next Career Leap Might Be Right Where You Are
You’re driven. You're good at what you do.
But lately, you found yourself wondering whether the grass is greener on the other side. 🍀
You’re thinking… it would be so much better if:
You were in the leadership team,
You changed company,
Or started your own business !
You start believing that you’d have more budget, more influence, more resources to share the load, better tech, better ways of working, less meetings, fewer roadblocks, more time to innovate, a better boss, a better mentor, and of course, a fatter paycheck. The more you think about it, the longer the list, the more convinced you become.
What a compelling fantasy 🦄
The promise of an easier, more fulfilling - and rewarding, professional life.
Please - Sign me in! 🙋🏻♀️
Isn’t that funny how the same brain that once convinced us to take this role we’re in, is now tricking us into a new narrative that it’s time for a change!
Because if we think about it for a sec:
Aren’t our peers in the same company sharing similar frustrations?
Aren’t our friends in other companies often complaining about similar challenges?
Aren’t global reports sharing aligned disengagement statistics across industries, corporate levels and countries?
So what are we missing here? 🤔
I get it. I’ve been there. I’ve chased that greener grass, across multiple fences. 👀
Sometimes because I wanted to. Sometimes because I had to - #layoff.
From large corporations to startups, individual contributor to management, local teams to international projects, and even from a 6-figures employment to self-employed. I've gone the extra mile to explore a wide spectrum of career landscapes. 🕵🏻♀️
I’ve had to promote and prove myself each and every interview round.
I’ve gone through terrible onboarding - first impression matter, big time!
I’ve learnt new processes, and trained peers on tools and techniques I brought in.
I’ve faced the hardship behind entrepreneurship. This is NOT for everyone - despite what Social Media makes us think.
Today, after all those experiences, I can confidently say:
”The grass isn’t greener on the other side. It is greener where you water it.“ 💦
Here's the deal: the solution isn't black or white.
It’s about architecting our own situation. Finding contentment where you are.
It's about truly understanding what matters to us, in each and every season of our lives. 🍁
Taking ownership of our career, and nurturing our professional environment until it blossoms for us. 🌻
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple set of questions, with brutally honest answers!
Let’s be real, wherever we work, there will always be pros and cons, good and bad, right and wrong , etc.
The only constant in all of this is us.
It’s time to address the real problem. Not just treat symptoms.
A better question becomes ↓
How might we better design our career choices, and take charge for the environment and culture we develop around us❓
Change is coming whether we want it or not. AI, for one, is making sure of that.
In a world where algorithms constantly spoon-feed us what they think we want – the real power lies in cultivating our internal landscape.
Here’s how to start watering your own grass 🪴
1. Focus on What’s Working 🏆
Take a moment to reconnect with your career's foundations:
Your Motivation: Why did you pick this job in the first place? What excited you about it initially?
Recall the reasons why you applied and said yes to this offer. Why are you here today?Your Drivers: What do you genuinely love about it now? What gives you energy?
Be specific. Is it a particular skill, project, a team dynamic, a mentor?Your Results: What have you accomplished? What are you proud of?
Identify the tasks, interactions, or achievements that leave you feeling energized, proud.
2. Focus on What’s in Your Control 🚥
Shift your energy from complaining to creating:
Your Attitude: What if this situation could be more enjoyable? How can I make it so? Choose positive over negative. Instead of focusing on what's wrong, find ways to be grateful and optimist.
Your Communication: What do you want? or don’t you want? How/when do you prefer to work? Speak up! Don’t assume your colleagues or manager can read your mind. Clearly articulate your needs, ideas, and boundaries.
Your Time Management: How does your calendar look like? Have you blocked meeting preparation, feedback write up, kids pickup or lunch break? If you don’t control your time, someone else’s will. Set boundaries to engage in deep, intentional work.
3. Recalibrate Your Career Compass 🧭
Drive your career forward intentionally:
Your Values & Strengths: What’s your zone of genius? What are you uniquely good at?
You are unique. Just like super-heroes, lean into your unique, natural talents.Your Direction: Who do you want to become? How/where do you want to live? What kind of impact do you aspire to make?
Find professionals or lifestyles inspirations. London, Bali or Paris: different destinations, different expectations, all incredible.Your Intentional Roadmap: What are your goals? What milestones do you need to reach? by when? Any dependencies
Develop a practical, actionable plan to bridge the gap. This isn't about grand gestures; it's about consistent, small steps.
🚨 This isn't about ignoring genuine issues or staying stuck in an unhealthy environment.
If you feel that’s you, please reach out so we can talk about it.
It's about empowering ourself to be the architects of our own career satisfaction, rather than endlessly chasing an illusion.
The power to cultivate a fulfilling and impactful professional life isn't on the other side.
It's within each and every one of us. 💛
Message me to share your experience 😃
What have you learnt by chasing the greener grass? Why are you looking for a change?
Until next time: You've got this! 💪
I’ve got you.
Your friendly, Tech Career Energizer ⚡️
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