Have you ever felt like you’re waiting for the perfect moment to make your next move?
Maybe you’ve been thinking about a promotion…
Or shifting your role into something more strategic…
Or stepping into a bigger leadership identity.
But instead of making the move, you’re… researching. Planning.
Tinkering with your LinkedIn.
Reading yet another article.
Talking yourself in and out of it.
If that’s you, I want you to really hear this:
You can’t steer a parked car.
You have to get moving.
Not perfectly. Not with the full roadmap.
Just forward.
Today, we’re going to talk about what it really costs to stay in park – and how to start moving without spinning out.
And if this resonates with you, I invite you to book a free discovery call with me. No pressure, just real talk about your goals and how to get unstuck.
Let’s go.
HR Leaders Can’t Stay Stuck
Here’s what I’ve noticed, especially among high-achieving HR professionals:
You are an expert at preparing.
At planning.
At running scenarios in your head.
You know all about being busy.
But deep down – you’re waiting for a green light.
You’ll look for other opportunities when your calendar opens up.
You just need one more certification.
You don’t want to waste anyone’s time unless you’re 100% clear.
But clarity rarely comes before action.
Just like a car, you can’t change direction – or build momentum – until you start moving.
I want to share a personal story.
A few years ago, I was feeling stuck in my own career.
I’d reached a point where I could do my job well, eyes closed. But I knew I wanted something more impactful – something that challenged me again.
So I did something small: I offered to lead a cross-functional project that required collaboration outside of HR.
It wasn’t flashy. It didn’t even come with extra pay.
But it shifted everything.
Because suddenly, I was seen differently.
And I saw myself differently.
That one step – getting out of park – set off a chain reaction.
I built new relationships, gained visibility, and eventually… I found myself stepping into the coaching and leadership work I do now.
It didn’t start with a business plan.
It started with a choice to move.
YOU CAN’T COURSE CORRECT FROM A STANDSTILL
Let’s talk about something that trips people up:
The fear of choosing the “wrong” thing.
Look, I get it, the wrong choice is scary. But course correction is part of the process.
You’re not meant to get it all right out of the gate.
Trying something and realizing it’s not a fit?
That’s not failure. That’s feedback.
That’s wisdom.
I’ve changed direction multiple times in my career –
From corporate HR to county government, from generalist to director, from employee to entrepreneur.
Every turn came with uncertainty.
But I always moved first – and clarified second.
Movement reveals insight that stillness can’t.
The truth? Most people aren’t stuck because they made a bad decision.
They’re stuck because they’re afraid to decide at all.
And if you stay in park too long, you’ll start confusing motionlessness with safety.
But it’s really just stagnation.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
This week, I want to give you a challenge:
Do one thing that gets you in motion.
Not ten. Just one.
Something small – but visible.
Something that stretches you.
Something that puts you on record.
Here are a few ideas:
- Reach out to someone in a role you’d love to be in and ask for a 20-minute conversation.
- Volunteer to lead an initiative at work that isn’t in your comfort zone.
- Say yes to an opportunity you’d normally hesitate on.
- Or just book a 1:1 strategy session – with me or with someone you trust – to get your ideas out of your head and into a plan.
Whatever it is – get out of park.
Even a slow roll is movement.
HR Takeaway
Here’s what I want you to take away from today:
You don’t need a perfect plan.
You don’t need full clarity.
You need momentum.
Because you can’t steer a parked car.
But once you’re moving, you can go anywhere.
Until next time, remember to keep leading, keep growing, and keep striving for that next higher version of yourself.
