Not Missing Out—Opting In
“What if I miss out?”
It’s a question I hear often—from ambitious, high-performing women who are contemplating something big:
Taking a career pause
Going on maternity leave
Shifting into a less demanding role
Pivoting to something new
On paper, the decision looks simple. You’ve worked hard. You’ve earned flexibility. You know something has to give.
But the moment you start entertaining a change, FOMO creeps in.
“If I step back, will I lose my edge?”
“Will they forget about me while I’m gone?”
“Will someone else get the role I’ve been eyeing?”
“What if this is the year everything takes off—without me?”
It’s not just fear of missing something. It’s fear of missing everything you’ve worked so hard for.
The truth about FOMO in high-achieving careers
FOMO is particularly potent in high-demand fields like consulting—where visibility, responsiveness, and relentless momentum are often rewarded more than sustainability.
So it’s no wonder that stepping away—even for something as human and essential as maternity leave—can feel like a professional risk.
But here’s the part we rarely say out loud:
FOMO thrives in environments that don’t leave room for being whole.
If your worth at work depends entirely on being “always on”… If slowing down feels like stepping out of the race… If your ambition and your life feel like they’re in constant conflict…
Then FOMO is not a flaw in you. It’s a sign that the system was never designed for all of you.
Reframing what “missing out” really means
What if missing out on the late-night emails, cancelled flights, difficult clients or the project that burns out the whole team… ...isn’t the worst thing?
What if the bigger risk is missing out on yourself? Your baby’s first milestones. Your own health. Your clarity about what you want next.
Career success is a marathon, not a sprint. Pausing—strategically, intentionally—isn’t a detour. It’s part of sustainable leadership.
The re-entry no one talks about
Here’s something I remind my clients: Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re benched forever.
Smart, intentional women re-enter with: ✅ New perspectives ✅ Stronger boundaries ✅ More aligned ambition
And often, they create new paths instead of waiting to be handed one.
Because missing out on someone else's definition of success? That’s not a failure. That’s freedom.
If you’re in the middle of the FOMO spiral right now—pause. Not out of fear. Out of power.
You don’t have to choose between ambition and a full life. You just need the right support and a new lens.
If you’re wrestling with the decision to pause, pivot, or pull back—you’re not alone.
FOMO can cloud your thinking, but it doesn’t have to drive your choices. Sometimes the most powerful move in your career is the one that puts you back at the center.
💬 Want to talk it through? Send me a message. I’ve been there—and I help women like you sort through the noise, reconnect to what matters, and lead on their own terms.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Let’s chat.
👩💼 You can also sign up for my free webinar:
Leading with Boundaries for Women in Consulting
📅 Wednesday, June 25, 2025
🕐 1PM–2PM ET Register here
Together, we’ll talk about protecting your time, honoring your values, and leading with intention—even if that means rewriting the rules.
Until next time,
Karin
KEM Leadership Coaching
