332. The Jenga Game of Identity: Unlearning and Stepping into Your Next Chapter, with Sara Anderson
If you are a high-achieving founder or leader, you know the feeling of hitting a level of success only to realize: The person I've become no longer fits the life I built. Maybe you're restless, feeling a deep pull toward what comes next, but you are stuck between the fear of getting it wrong and the clarity of your true intuition.
Today we welcome Sara Anderson, an executive coach and communication strategist who works with women leaders on presence, resonance, and personal power. Sara’s journey - from corporate tech to acting to coaching - gives her a unique perspective on the necessary, often uncomfortable work of stepping into a new identity.
In this episode, you'll learn about:
The core limiting belief you need to unlearn: How to distinguish between authentic desire and what you think will make you look impressive.
The power of reframing fear: Why feeling scared isn't "wrong," but a sign you are meeting your edge.
The Jenga Game of Identity: How to approach major life transitions by making small shifts instead of forcing a full, disruptive overhaul.
The importance of internal growth metrics over external praise (sales, likes, applause).
Tactical ways to regulate your nervous system daily, even if you struggle with consistency or have ADHD.
Why protecting your "baby ideas" from fear-based projections is critical for women leaders and recovering people-pleasers.
The power of magnetism: How repelling the wrong opportunities and people is just as important as attracting the right ones.
Why awareness without judgment is the key to escaping the perfectionist, all-or-nothing trap.
Episode Timestamps:
00:03:00 – The initial belief you need to unlearn to step into your next version.
00:05:00 – The struggle to discern between fear and intuition.
00:08:00 – How to get out of your own way: Why the mindset that got you here won't get you there.
00:09:00 – Defining and using internal metrics of success.
00:11:00 – Simple, tactical ways to regulate your nervous system when you feel overwhelmed.
00:15:00 – How to approach major life transitions like a Jenga game (small shifts vs. overhaul).
00:18:00 – Navigating the friction when your network is accustomed to an old version of you.
00:22:00 – The shift from being polished and "good" to being authentic and magnetic.
00:25:00 – Final advice: Why the journey is forever, and why you should lead with compassion.
About Sara Anderson:
Website: https://saraanderson.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraanderson/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara.anderson___/
Let's Work Together:
Book a 90-Minute Clarity Call
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Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.