Reinventing Your Career: Aligning Your Work to Who You Are Becoming

In 2009, I found myself staring at my computer screen, feeling an unexpected wave of restlessness. On the surface, everything looked fine. I had spent nearly a decade working in Human Resources, supporting people and organizational growth. But something inside me whispered that it wasn’t enough anymore.

It wasn’t about chasing a bigger title or a better paycheck. It was about stepping into work that felt more purposeful, more alive, and more in sync with the person I was becoming.

That quiet nudge eventually became undeniable. It sparked a series of intentional shifts that led me from HR into executive coaching and consulting—a conscious decision to align my professional life with my evolving sense of purpose, unlocking more passion, impact, and peace of mind along the way.

Reinvention doesn’t always require a dramatic overhaul. Sometimes it begins with subtle recalibrations: how you show up, where you invest your energy, and what you give yourself permission to leave behind. Other times, it calls for bold, radical transformation.

Whether personal or organizational, reinvention is a catalyst—one that re-energizes, refocuses, and reignites what’s possible.

In this edition of Driven to Thrive, we’ll explore the empowering journey of reinventing your career—whether you're pivoting roles, industries, or redefining your professional identity.

The 4 Pillars of Career Reinvention

Reinvention is both a mental and emotional journey. It requires a mix of clear thinking and deep self-awareness, balanced with the courage to trust your instincts. These four pillars are here to help guide that process.

1. Clarity: Understand What Needs to Change

Reinvention starts with clarity—the foundation of any meaningful shift. I had spent years helping businesses shape their people strategies, but felt a deeper yearning to align my work with my evolving purpose.

This clarity wasn’t just about imagining what was next—it meant releasing outdated stories and assumptions about who I should be.

For businesses, this matters too. Without clarity on what needs to shift, stagnation takes root. Amazon, for example, started as an online bookstore. But its evolution into e-commerce, cloud services, and entertainment came from recognizing when it was time to adapt and expand.

Reflection: What needs to change? Where in your role, business, or habits do you feel stuck or misaligned?

Alignment Audit: List your top 5 daily responsibilities. For each, rate them on a scale of 1–5: How aligned does this feel with the person you're becoming? Focus on the lowest scoring ones—they may reveal where reinvention should begin.

2. Courage: Take Bold Action

When I chose to leave HR for executive coaching, I didn’t have a complete plan. I just knew I couldn’t stay where I was. Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the willingness to move through it.

Take my client Zola. After 15 years in financial services, she felt disconnected from her work. She didn’t quit overnight. She began by starting a podcast on ethical investing—something that reflected her values. That small, courageous act eventually led to a new role that felt far more aligned.

Businesses must be brave too. When LEGO faced a financial crisis, it didn’t double down on just toys—it expanded into video games, films, and theme parks. Bold moves turned a struggling company into a thriving one.

Reflection: What bold move—big or small—can you take today to move toward what’s next?

Courage Catalyst Question: Ask yourself: What would I do if I trusted myself 10% more? That small shift can lead to big momentum.

3. Curiosity: Explore New Possibilities

Curiosity was my anchor. I didn’t know where I was going, but I allowed myself to explore—new ideas, different ways of working, and even areas that had nothing to do with my past roles. It made me a better coach, a better consultant, and ultimately, a more fulfilled person.

The same is true for businesses. Curiosity sparks innovation. It leads to discovering new markets, fresh solutions, and more adaptive teams.

Reflection: What are you curious about right now? Don’t just lean into what you’re good at—follow what lights you up.

7-Day Curiosity Challenge: Pick one area that interests you. Spend 10 minutes each day exploring it—reading, listening, experimenting, or connecting with someone in that space.

4. Commitment: Stay the Course

Reinvention isn’t a flip of a switch. It’s a season of planting, pruning, and tending. My shift to coaching took years—of learning, pivoting, and showing up again even when I doubted myself.

Commitment is what keeps you going when you can’t yet see the outcome. It’s what sustains progress through roadblocks and reinvention fatigue.

Businesses that stay committed—through cultural changes, product pivots, or restructuring—are the ones that grow stronger over time.

Reflection: What small action can you take consistently, even when the finish line feels far away?

Micro-Milestone Method: Break your reinvention into tiny wins. Celebrate each one. Progress builds momentum, and momentum builds belief.

Final Thoughts 

Reinvention isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a continuous unfolding. When we stop evolving, we risk stagnation. When we stay open, curious, and willing to shift, we remain vibrant.

It’s a lot like updating your internal GPS. You may not always know the full route, but with each recalibration—each bold step, reflective pause, or unexpected turn—you move closer to a life that feels aligned and alive.

Where in your career or life are you being quietly called to evolve—and what’s one small step you can take today to begin that reinvention? Your future self is already cheering you on.

Here are some ways to access additional tools, advice, and tips to accelerate your leadership & career:

→ Review the numerous career-enhancing resources available on my website at aliciadreece.com.

→ News Alert - I have a new LinkedIn Learning course coming later this year.

→ Explore my best-selling book, Driven to Thrive.

→ Follow me on LinkedIn, and click the 🔔 at the top of my profile page to learn more about Drive to Thrive events and join the conversation on my posts.

→ Subscribe to receive my Driven to Thrive newsletters.

→ Enroll in one of my LinkedIn Learning courses: Coaching Yourself to Career Success and/or Align Your Career Goals to Your Authentic Self.

I’m rooting for you always!