https://www.juliestarrcoaching.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-08-12 https://www.juliestarrcoaching.com/blog/why-cant-decide-quit-job monthly 0.5 2026-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/1785182464855-SPHLFIHX7E4QAJ16WOIF/midcareer-change-woman-desk Blog - Why Can’t I Decide to Quit My Job? (It’s Not Indecision) - How Your Brain is Holding You Back After spending over 300 hours coaching midcareer pros navigate career transition, here’s what I know: just because you’ve made up your mind doesn’t mean you’re ready to take action. There’s so much that gets in the way. Including our brains. Did you know that humans make over 35,000 decisions a day? If you’re stuck in the indecision of making a career pivot, it’s likely that your brain is trying to protect you. Our brains force us to take mental shortcuts. Narrow framing, the sunk cost fallacy, and values conflict are cognitive biases that make career decisions feel impossible. So let’s break down these common career decision blockers. Because having awareness around what’s getting in the way is the first step to taking your next step. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/d9ee184f-9b7a-410f-b5d0-6c36e0513d25/Pain+Gain.png Blog - Why Can’t I Decide to Quit My Job? (It’s Not Indecision) - Make it stand out The Pain/Gain Model https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/1777299737736-EPW8F2KRTQK2V7CYXKB7/JS_STORM-88.jpg Blog - Why Can’t I Decide to Quit My Job? (It’s Not Indecision) The beauty of the Pain/Gain Model is that it highlights your real motivations and real fears about making a career change. Now, you might be wondering: can a coach really help me figure this out? Can’t I just complete the Pain/Gain Model on my own? To that I say: working with a career coach isn’t going to automatically hand you a decision. And while there are no guarantees, what working with a coach can do is… Brainstorm buddy: Challenge you to fill out all four boxes, not just the two that are “easiest.” Ask the questions you might be avoiding and prompt you to step back and reflect on what you're seeing Get honest about the real costs financially, spiritually, emotionally, socially and have a real conversation to make sure fear isn’t holding you back. Work with you as you develop a specific first step (with a deadline attached!) Hold you accountable and check in on whether you actually did the thing you said you’d do. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/0be8c9de-1e85-4217-b587-3ead7dd876b5/Stay+Go+Flyer Blog - Why Can’t I Decide to Quit My Job? (It’s Not Indecision) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.juliestarrcoaching.com/blog/midcareer-career-change-feels-impossible monthly 0.5 2026-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/1785182464855-SPHLFIHX7E4QAJ16WOIF/midcareer-change-woman-desk Blog - Midcareer Career Change: 3 Places to Start When You Feel Stuck - The Squeeze: Why Midcareer Career Change Feels So Hard I don’t know about you, but I feel like all of a sudden, life is “lifeing.” From raising kids and pets, caring for aging parents, trying to maintain wellness routines, friendships, and, if we’re lucky, hobbies, it seems like work is now the lowest priority on the list yet takes up the most of our time and energy. It’s like the career path we designed for ourselves at 22 years old no longer fits the reality of our lives today. No wonder why we’re feeling disengaged, checked out, and burnt out. So what’s the impact? Organizations are losing talent from their most critical cohort of employees. The high-performing, institutional knowledge-carrying, mid-career leaders (us!). And at the individual level, even considering a career change feels like you’re being selfish, or completely wasting 20 years of time, energy, and money, or just plain scary because the grass is not always greener. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/d1de3df8-01f7-4b61-8a14-3701392d6a88/JS_STORM-138.jpg Blog - Midcareer Career Change: 3 Places to Start When You Feel Stuck As Gratton’s research shows: “Midlife is the point at which change is most necessary but least likely to happen.” And I agree. Midcareer transitions are normal and expected, especially over the course of what’s become an extended working life. My clients are all feeling this. They’re balancing major responsibilities, expectations at work, plus the fear that makes deliberate career change impossible. If you are looking for dedicated time to step back and reflect, or if you’re afraid of what other people will think if you change course, or if you’ve been in your job so long that it’s become your entire personality, no wonder you’re feeling stuck. That’s where one-on-one career transition coaching comes in. Most of my clients come to me exactly where you are now. They’ve been thinking about making a change for anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. They’ve been ruminating, they say they can’t get out of the “thought loop,” they feel stuck. They end up spending months and years thinking about making a change, worried about making a change, resentful, and completely drained. https://www.juliestarrcoaching.com/blog/signs-its-time-for-a-career-change monthly 0.5 2026-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/2b46e576-db8e-4a92-9b41-7ab82a2e7450/about-julie-starr-life-coach.jpg Blog - Signs It’s Time for a Career Change, and Why Fear is Getting in the Way - Your Emotions Aren’t the Problem, They’re Data Up until now maybe you believed that the world was “glass half full” or “glass half empty.” That there were only two choices, 1.) stay and suffer in a role that’s completely draining or 2.) quit without a plan or safety net. The Energy Leadership framework offers something different: 7 levels of energy, or perspectives, through which you can choose to view any given situation…including the career decision you’ve been putting off for years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/1755638633537-RLC7EFESHXQUWBA589CY/contact-julie-starr-coaching.jpg Blog - Signs It’s Time for a Career Change, and Why Fear is Getting in the Way Level 2 is the level of control. If Level 1 is flight, Level 2 is fight and it can look a lot like productivity. This is where black and white thinking lives. From a decision-making standpoint it might sound like: “I just need to power through and choose. It doesn’t matter.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/d1de3df8-01f7-4b61-8a14-3701392d6a88/JS_STORM-138.jpg Blog - Signs It’s Time for a Career Change, and Why Fear is Getting in the Way - What Changes When You Have Awareness When you build self-awareness around your thoughts, feelings, and actions you develop something that no pros/cons list can give you: agency. You move from black and white thinking to a full menu of options. You stop asking "should I stay or should I go?" as if those are the only two choices. And you start to separate who you are from what you do. https://www.juliestarrcoaching.com/blog/who-i-am-is-not-what-i-do monthly 0.5 2026-04-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/33308ff3-c18f-4290-abc5-c85e558d6e8e/julie-starr-career-coach-westfield-nj.jpg Blog - Who I Am Is Not What I Do - The Moment I Refused to Choose Between Life and Work I had been passionate about theater since I was a kid. I was lucky enough to have the support to study it in undergrad, and I focused on stage management. All throughout school and summer internships, I had amazing opportunities. Plus, a fantastic gig lined up after graduation. Then, two years into my career, a family member passed away. I was working and wasn’t able to attend the funeral. As they say, “the show must go on.” That was my first nudge toward a career pivot. Then there was another moment. It was a Jewish holiday, and there was a show. I would normally observe the holiday, and a mentor said to me: “Do you want to be Jewish, or do you want to be a stage manager?” Needless to say after that encounter, I was out. I refused to choose between life and work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/d1de3df8-01f7-4b61-8a14-3701392d6a88/JS_STORM-138.jpg Blog - Who I Am Is Not What I Do - What Having a Career Coach Actually Looked Like The coached version of me had support. I was drained, burned out, and my mental and physical health were suffering. But having a coach helped me both to process what was happening at work and find enough energy to focus on what came next. Here's what that actually looked like in practice: I could process what was happening within an extremely difficult work environment and in doing so found enough energy to plan my exit. When I wavered or second-guessed myself, my coach helped me get clear on what I actually wanted…not what I thought I should want. Crucially, she helped me build a plan. So when I did have time outside of our sessions, I knew exactly where to focus. I wasn't starting from scratch every time I sat down to build my business. Most importantly: I wasn’t doing it alone. When I finally left that toxic job, all the puzzle pieces were already in place. I now had the time, space, and support to fit them together. Having a coach made all the difference. (Thanks, Sarah!) https://www.juliestarrcoaching.com/blog/you-are-not-your-job monthly 0.5 2026-04-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/1755638633537-RLC7EFESHXQUWBA589CY/contact-julie-starr-coaching.jpg Blog - You Are Not Your Job: How to Reclaim Your Identity Beyond Your Career - When Your Career Becomes Your Identity For years, my identity was completely tied to my work. I had studied it, built a community around it, excelled in it, and told myself: “This is who I am.” The problem? When you outgrow a job or career, it can feel like you’re outgrowing yourself. That’s when the questions (and worry) creep in: Who am I without this job? What’s my next step? I know I have transferable skills but will employers outside my industry “get it?” If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. Many professionals experience a career identity crisis at some point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/75675050-6385-4047-a737-6470ed36ae03/julie-starr-career-coach-westfield-nj.jpg Blog - You Are Not Your Job: How to Reclaim Your Identity Beyond Your Career - If you know it’s time for something new… It doesn’t mean something is wrong. It means you’ve grown. You have permission to pivot. This time, with your values in the driver’s seat. A career change is rarely just about a résumé update. It’s about: Understanding what truly matters to you now. Exploring what’s getting in your way. Brainstorming possibilities without judgment. Building confidence in your transferable skills and story. Creating a plan that feels exciting, not overwhelming. As a coach, I help clients navigate these transitions with clarity and confidence. Ready to Define What’s Next? Maybe you’re scared or overwhelmed or too burnt-out to think about or understand what change could look like, but I want you to know that other options are not just possible, they’re within your reach. If there’s a little voice inside of you telling you that it’s time for something new, something more aligned with who you are now, get in touch. Because you are (and always will be) so much more than your job. https://www.juliestarrcoaching.com/blog/coaching-vs-mentoring-vs-counseling-vs-therapy monthly 0.5 2026-08-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/b3f717f6-6c47-4a2f-a2d7-199a3816b04f/JS_STORM-59.jpg Blog - Coaching vs. Mentoring vs. Counseling vs. Therapy: What’s the Difference? - Coaching vs. Therapy: Key Differences Therapy helps people navigate clinical mental health challenges. It often (though not always) focuses on healing, diagnosis, and support for folks whose daily life or functioning is impacted. Therapists are licensed professionals who can diagnose, treat, and guide recovery from mental health concerns. Coaching is not therapy. Coaches do not diagnose or treat mental illness. While we may look to the past for insights, our focus is on helping you optimize and move forward. We work on creating strategies, building confidence, and achieving future goals. Part of a coach’s professional and ethical responsibility is knowing when to refer a client to a mental health professional. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/1755701144688-3DP49VYNMA7C261OLABJ/unsplash-image-7okkFhxrxNw.jpg Blog - Coaching vs. Mentoring vs. Counseling vs. Therapy: What’s the Difference? - Coaching vs. Mentoring Mentors are usually seasoned professionals who share advice based on their own experience. They might be an expert in your industry or have a career path you admire. Mentoring often sounds like: “Here’s what worked for me, and here’s how you can do it too.” Coaching is different. It’s not about the coach’s path; it’s about your unique path. Mentoring can feel hierarchical; coaching is collaborative and client-led. Coaches are experts in the process of coaching, you are the expert in your own life. Instead of telling you what to do or giving advice, a coach partners with you to clarify your goals, uncover obstacles, and take meaningful action steps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/1755700726113-ZWGEPWH1E9N8ARGQY6C4/unsplash-image-sOdldNCQEtU.jpg Blog - Coaching vs. Mentoring vs. Counseling vs. Therapy: What’s the Difference? - Coaching vs. Family & Friends Sometimes we just need to vent and loved ones are great at offering comfort. But they’re not trained to listen and help you move forward in an unbiased way. Have you ever hung up after talking to a friend or parent and felt more confused or frustrated? Often, they tell us what they think we “should” do based on their own values, experiences, and fears. Coaches are objective. We ask powerful, clarifying questions. We help you move from stuck to unstuck. We guide you in setting meaningful and achievable goals https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/1755638633537-RLC7EFESHXQUWBA589CY/contact-julie-starr-coaching.jpg Blog - Coaching vs. Mentoring vs. Counseling vs. Therapy: What’s the Difference? - Ready to Explore Coaching? If you’re curious about whether coaching is right for you, let’s talk. Contact me to schedule a complimentary Discovery Call. You don’t have to have it all figured out before we start! https://www.juliestarrcoaching.com/blog/what-is-coaching monthly 0.5 2026-04-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/f68392d3-e593-4787-bce5-d0da033d7c43/contact-julie-starr-coaching.jpg Blog - What Is Coaching? (And How to Know If It’s Right for You) - What Is Coaching? Ask 10 coaches and you’ll get 10 slightly different answers. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines it as “a thought-provoking and creative process to maximize personal and professional potential. Here’s my take: Coaching is a true partnership. It’s your dedicated “me time” in a busy world — a space to slow down, get unstuck, organize your thoughts, and create a plan you feel excited to follow through on. As your coach, I’m not here to give you advice or tell you what to do. You are the expert in your own life and career. My role? To ask the right questions, offer fresh perspectives, and help you move forward with clarity and confidence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/674756d72e3d592ae6a995f2/75675050-6385-4047-a737-6470ed36ae03/julie-starr-career-coach-westfield-nj.jpg Blog - What Is Coaching? (And How to Know If It’s Right for You) - The Benefits of Coaching With the right coach, you gain more than clarity, you gain momentum. Coaching helps you: Define what you truly want Uncover what’s getting in your way Take meaningful, confident action forward Many clients tell me they feel more like themselves again: clear, grounded, and energized. They see possibilities they couldn’t before and feel empowered to go after them. Ready to Explore Coaching? If you’re curious about whether coaching is right for you, let’s talk. Contact me to schedule a complimentary Discovery Call. You don’t have to have it all figured out before we start. 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