Exceptional Futures

The word success carries a lot of weight in our society, and there are many expectations about what we should and should not do in our quest to be successful. But every so often, it is critical to reevaluate your personal definition of success and whether it aligns with who you are today. Click below to learn why. https://buff.ly/3GhF7Lp #success #successful #culture #culturalexpectations #motivation #perspective

Our cultural identity shapes how we see and react to the world around us. It’s more than just beliefs—it's a powerful part of who we are. Understanding and celebrating our cultural roots helps us connect and thrive in diverse communities. Swipe through to learn more about the role cultural identity plays in our lives. How has your cultural identity influenced your experiences? #culture #identity #perspective #culturalawareness

New ebook! If you are struggling with competing feelings of “I cannot stand another minute in this #job” and “Why would I leave this perfectly good role?” this ebook is for you. In it, we will discuss all the forces compelling you to stay or leave your current role. We also examine how our family and social systems shape our understanding of what it means to have a #good job. This ebook will help you make an informed decision about the job that works for you while providing strategies and actionable tips to guide your next steps after you’ve made your decision. #quit #careerchange #careerdevelopment #prestigious #change #culturalexpectations

At the close of every life chapter, I find myself conducting a little #ritual where I stop and take one look back at whatever building I leave behind and thank it for the memories and experiences contained within its walls. When I moved out of my family’s home of 15 years, I put my hand on the doorframe and thanked the home for keeping us safe and providing us with lifelong memories. This ritual has helped to give me a sense of closure in a world that, at times, can feel nebulous at best. A little over ten years ago, I loaded up the few personal belongings I kept in a shared cubicle at work, handed in my badge, and closed a chapter in my professional life. As I walked out the door, I turned and thanked the organization for the mix of both uplifting and painful lessons I learned from that experience and decided that I wanted something different professionally. The word #exceptional has two definitions. The first is unusual, or atypical. However, it’s the second definition of exceptional – unusually good and outstanding – that resonated with me. When I started Exceptional Futures, I made it my mission to help those struggling in their professional lives try to define what an unusually good and outstanding career looked like for them.  Ten years, hundreds of clients, and a book later, I feel that Exceptional Futures, the company, is ready to cross the threshold into a new chapter. Some of the biggest stressors I see in my clients center around identity, belonging, and change. Yet there are few frameworks to help people navigate important life decisions in a way that isn’t focused solely on the individual or through a high-touch (note: expensive) experience. It is time to offer something a bit more accessible. As we begin the next decade of our exceptional future, we will be introducing new resources to help you navigate big decisions from a #culturallysustainable perspective. To help professionals working with #diverse clients, we will offer some tools that will be beneficial in building your practice. So now, I turn back and thank you, my #community, for providing me with the memories and experiences that have made my life that much fuller over the past ten years. I look forward to creating new memories together! #gratitude #celebration #milestone #professionalgrowth #change

Change is one of the few things we can count on in life. So, why do so many of us hesitate when it is time to move forward, even when we expect the change to be beneficial? Check out the blog post below where we explore this concept. Learn why we resist change and what you can do about it. #change #positivechange #inspiration #roadblocks #culture

What exactly is an identity crisis, and is it really a “crisis?” At Exceptional Futures, we would argue that questioning your identity is an entirely normal part of life. The trick is to notice when it is happening and harness the discomfort you feel to create an opportunity for positive change. Want to learn more? Click below to read the entire post. #identity #identitycrisis #culture #culturalnorms #culturalexpectations

Achieving a sense of belonging is crucial to our existence, but have you noticed that it isn’t always easy to come by? Click below to learn more about what belonging is, why it is sometimes elusive, and what you can do to develop stronger, more meaningful connections. #belonging #community #happiness #culture #culturalawareness

What does it mean to be successful and why do so many "successful" people feel unfulfilled? Read the post below to find out and learn why it might be time to consider redefining what success means to you. #success #successful #culture #culturalexpectations #motivation #perspective

Contrary to popular belief in our Western culture, the Japanese concept of ikigai is not something to achieve, nor can you sum it up in a fancy ikigai diagram. Ikigai is about paying closer attention to the things that bring you joy and exploring how to take intentional actions that allow you to find value in your everyday life. In the blog post below, we explain ikigai and delve into the many myths surrounding the concept so you can investigate this idea for yourself. #ikigai, #positivechange #personalgrowth, #culture, #motivation, #perspective

Do you believe you are self-aware? What if I told you that there is a significant gap between people who THINK they are self-aware and the 10-15% of people who are ACTUALLY highly self-aware? Why does this matter? Because it can make a huge difference in your ability to make positive changes in your life or in the world around you. Read the following post to learn why this is the case and what you can do about it. #culturalexpectations #positivechange #personalgrowth #selfdiscovery #empowerment