Have you ever noticed how old scripts stick around long after they’re useful?
Like a template that’s been copied and pasted for years. No one remembers any more who actually wrote it originally. But everyone keeps using it, just because they’ve always used it.
It once served a purpose. It reduced risk. Avoided embarrassment. And helped things run smoothly and efficiently.
But over time, that familiar old template can turn into a handbrake.
In this episode of Space To Shift Your Career, we’ll explore what happens when old templates shape your career decisions.
I’ll talk about the ‘What If’ script and how stories about failure – that many of us are still living by – hold us back from going after what we actually want in our career and life.
The Default Script Of The ‘What If’ Question
I want to start with a story. A story about a public sector leader who’s worked in sustainability for almost two decades.
She is experienced and respected. She’s reached a senior level in her organisation. But she feels like she’s plateaued.
There’s no obvious next step where she is. She could keep going – and part of her probably will, if nothing changes – but she feels under-utilised. A little bored. Like she’s going through the motions.
She would love to try something new. But almost immediately, another voice kicks in.
“What if I make the wrong move?”
“What if I fail?”
“What if I look foolish?”
“What if I’ll regret it?”
Do you notice something here?
Her “what if” questions are not about possibility. They are not about growth or fulfilment.
They are ALL about everything that could go wrong. As we say in German: painting the devil on the wall.
It made me think back to one of my clients sharing something really powerful. She said the biggest insight from our work together was this:
“I realised that I don’t have to assume the worst all the time. I’m allowed to imagine a positive outcome, too.”
Isn’t that striking?
For many public sector leaders, the brain has been trained – very effectively – to prepare for worst-case scenarios. That’s not a flaw. It’s a strength in the right context.
But when it comes to exploring new, exciting career options, it becomes debilitating.
What Do Public Sector Leaders Tell Themselves About ‘Getting It Wrong’?
Often, this goes back much further than our jobs. The messages we absorbed early on as children, at home and at school.
“Think again.”
“Don’t make mistakes.”
“Make sure you get it right the first time.”
I didn’t grow up hearing: “If you don’t succeed, just try again. Or try something different.”
I heard: “Be careful. Work hard. Don’t mess it up.”
And from working with public sector leaders, I know I’m not alone.
When fear of failure sits in the driver’s seat, many people don’t try at all. They don’t dare to try.
Not because they lack courage. But because the cost of “getting it wrong”, of “making a mistake”, feels too high.
It took me living in a different country and culture to really see another way. A way where a mistake isn’t a verdict. A judgement of who you are as a person. Of your value. But just information. Feedback.
When you see it that way, every attempt is a chance to learn something new.
In the case of your career, to learn something new about yourself and what kind of work is more aligned with who you are now – and how you want to evolve in future.
Someone recently told me that in New Zealand classrooms, teachers say:
“What a beautiful mistake. Let’s see what we can learn from it.”
I didn’t grow up hearing that. And I often wonder how different my choices might have been if I had.
Choose Your ‘What If’ Script Wisely
But there’s no point blaming the past. It’s about awareness.
Noticing when you are using an old template. Running on an old script. And realising whether that script is narrowing your options. Whether it’s keeping you “safe” but stuck.
And then asking yourself:
- Is my fear of failure actually protecting me right now?
- Or is it stopping me from growing?
- Do I want to allow fear to be the driver of my decisions?
Because you can acknowledge the fear – and still move forward.
You can choose to back yourself. To trust your ability to learn, adapt, and work things out as you go.
My challenge for you is this:
Next time you hear yourself asking ‘What if’, imagine a positive outcome.
At least one for each negative one. And see what happens.
Now I’d love to know: Does any of this resonate? And if it does: what are you going to do about it, now that you can see it?
Until next time: Make space, rediscover YOU, and then take action.