What I Had to Unlearn to Truly Thrive After 20 Years in Corporate

After two decades climbing the corporate ladder in global organizations—leading teams, launching initiatives, and striving to always “do more”—I made a bold move.

I left.

But what I didn’t expect was how much I’d have to unlearn to truly thrive as an entrepreneur.

As a high-performing woman in leadership, I thought I had resilience mastered. I knew how to get things done. I’d built a respected career. I could power through anything.

Until I couldn’t.

It wasn’t until I stepped away that I realized just how many beliefs I had internalized that were quietly exhausting me, holding me back, and shrinking the space I had to actually live.

Here are six beliefs I had to let go of throughout my corporate career, and what I’ve embraced instead.

1. Pushing Harder and Powering Through Isn’t Resilience. It’s What Leads to Burnout.

During the pandemic, I was already in a huge developmental role when the business line I led experienced overwhelming product demand. At the same time, I was helping my kindergartener and second grader adjust to virtual learning while trying to support a team navigating massive change.

Even though I was “doing the right things” to care for myself, I was mentally and emotionally spent. Every comment, complaint, or setback felt personal. I carried the weight of every problem, even ones that weren’t mine to solve.

I was always the fixer. But there were too many fires, and I couldn’t keep up.

So, I did what I thought I had to do: I worked harder. I gave more.

And I broke.

Eventually, I asked my manager for help. That’s when I was introduced to coaching. It changed everything. Coaching helped me understand that true resilience isn’t about endurance. It’s about boundaries. Self-awareness. Recovery.

It’s what inspired me to become a certified coach myself, so others can learn these lessons before they reach the edge.

What I’ve learned: Resilience isn’t about pushing through. It’s about knowing when to pause, reset, ask for support, and protect your energy before it’s gone.

2. You Have More Power Over Your Joy Than You Think

For years, my energy was dictated by external events. A bad meeting? My whole day was ruined. Someone gave constructive feedback to my team? I took it as a personal failure.

My ability to relax, recharge, or enjoy time with my family was entirely dependent on how I felt about work that day.

That’s no way to live.

The shift came when I realized how much of my power I was giving away. I started asking: What’s mine to own? What can I learn here? And what can I let go of?

What I’ve learned: Joy is an inside job. When you reclaim your emotional energy and focus on the things you can control, you become a stronger, steadier, and more effective leader.

3. Busy Doesn’t Equal Productive

Triple-booked calendars. Instant replies. Never-ending to-do lists. In corporate, busyness was a badge of honor, and I wore it proudly.

But beneath the surface, I felt scattered and drained. So I did a calendar audit. And what I saw shocked me.

I was spending a lot of my time and energy on low-impact activities that didn’t align with my strengths or priorities. That’s when I flipped the script. I started blocking time for my personal non-negotiables (like my morning workouts) and aligning my calendar with what truly moved the needle.

This is what I teach my clients now. How to work smarter, not harder. And how to lead with intention, not obligation.

What I’ve learned: Busyness doesn’t equal importance. True leadership comes from focus, intention, and the courage to work smarter, not harder.

4. You Are Not Your Title, Your Tasks, or Your To-Do List

For most of my life, first as a gymnast and then as a corporate leader, I tied my worth to achievement. The next goal. The next promotion. The next deliverable.

I was terrified to say no to anything at work. I didn’t want to seem like I couldn’t handle it.

But over time, I realized that saying yes to everything was actually limiting my growth. I was spending my energy on low-value tasks that kept me busy, but not visible.

Once I started saying yes to the right things and no to distractions, my career accelerated. I began focusing on the work that truly leveraged my strengths. That’s when I was seen. That’s when I stood out.

What I’ve learned: You are not your title, your output, or your ability to juggle it all. You are a whole and worthy human, valuable for who you are, not just what you produce. When you lead from that truth, your presence—not just your performance—becomes your greatest strength.

5. Failure Isn’t the End. It’s the Beginning.

When I became Director of Marketing, I was immediately seen as the go-to decision-maker. But I was still learning the role. I showed up unprepared. I made mistakes. I had to ask for more time and context.

It felt like failure. And it hit hard.

But no one expected me to be perfect, except me.

Each misstep became a lesson. And those lessons built my confidence. I realized that people don’t judge you for falling. They judge you on how you rise.

What I’ve learned: Failure doesn’t ruin your credibility, it builds your resilience. Real leadership is revealed in how you rise after falling.

6. Growth Requires Discomfort

Leaving corporate was the hardest, scariest thing I’ve ever done. I left behind a respected reputation, a strong network, and a sense of certainty for… the unknown.

I had no clients. No credentials. And no one telling me I was doing a good job.

That hit me harder than I expected. Self-doubt crept in fast.

My confidence had been deeply tied to external validation. Suddenly, I had to rebuild it from within.

But I kept going. I found mentors. I stopped comparing my beginning to someone else’s middle. I reminded myself of what I’d overcome before. I let my past prove my potential.

What I’ve learned: Growth is uncomfortable, but that discomfort is the sign you’re evolving. Don’t run from it. Lean into it. That’s where transformation lives.

If any of this resonates, you’re not alone. These unlearning moments weren’t easy, but they were essential.

Because the truth is…

You don’t have to sacrifice yourself to succeed. You don’t have to prove your worth through burnout. You’re allowed to lead with energy, clarity, and joy, and I'm here to show you how.

📩 If you’re ready to unlearn what’s no longer serving you, let’s talk. I help high-achieving leaders reclaim their power and rewrite their definition of success.