I recently hosted a webinar for a group of high-achieving professionals navigating critical career moments.
These are bright, driven individuals with incredible track records.
Many of them have also hit a bump in the road — an unexpected layoff, a missed promotion, a lack of motivation in a job that “looks good on paper.”
But what struck me most wasn’t their credentials—it was their willingness to show up, even when they might have preferred to spend that evening bingeing Netflix.
The truth is that most of us think that working hard at good brand name companies, or going to top schools, is a career strategy.
I know I thought that until I got fired from my job just after my 30th birthday.
Believe it or not, the first thing that occurred to me was, “Oh yeah, I guess the company is not my mom and dad.”
Yes, working hard at good companies is important, but by itself it’s not a strategy.
Having a career strategy means knowing what you bring to the table, and being in a mutually beneficial relationship with an employer.
I call it the “consultant’s mindset.” 
So if you’ve hit a bump, or have recently recovered from one, two things come to mind.
First, be kind to yourself. You’d never believe how many people “fess up” when I tell my story of being fired. You are truly not alone.
Then, put your “bump” into perspective. I once had a client who was stressed out over a promotion that had been delayed by three months, five years earlier. 
Next, start with these three steps that I take all my clients through:
See Your Strengths in Action. Reflect on “Peak Experiences,” moments that didn’t feel like work. Then consider what strengths (start with Strengths Finder 2.0) you were using in those moments.
Map your impact. Get curious about how your strengths create ripple effects across your team and organization. That way when you talk about your contribution, you really own it.
Craft your story. Create messages that hook your audience, “This is what I’m good at, and this is what I can do for you.”
Really owning what you’re good at, and learning how to express it in ways that gets you recognized is a great first step.
Good luck!