Are you giving out meh vibes?

In a previous post I talked about the “sort of” feeling. You’re sort of successful, you’re sort of in the field you trained for, you’re sort of supporting your family and yourself.

Is something missing? Maybe you’re wondering, “Is this really it?” or, “Could I be doing more? Should I be doing more?”

If you’re at a crossroads, stuck in the “sort of” phase of your career, where things are going well enough but you have that persistent, nagging feeling that they could be better – then you’re giving out meh vibes. It’s time to do something about it.

How do you deal with the meh vibes?

You need external advice. You need input and direction. You need support. And occasionally you need a kick up the arse. I’m happy to do all of these.

Having a coach helps you see yourself in the way others see you. A coach helps you plan single steps or whole years. And a coach keeps you accountable – with support, direction or kick depending on what works best for you.

This is great, but what do you get out of it? Why would you want to put yourself out? The answer is in the emotional returns – increased autonomy, stronger professional identity, improved mental health, network expansion and enhanced reputation. In broad terms, you discover more work you like, at the level you like, with the income you like and the work-life balance you like, doing things that you love and that you find easy, interesting and rewarding.

That’s quite a list, but it’s possible. Let’s break it down.

The Emotional Returns

Increased Autonomy

Imagine having the freedom to make the decisions that are best for you. Instead of being pulled in a hundred directions by the demands of clients, choirs, and students, and feeling that you can’t let anyone down because you can sort of do it all, you get to choose your path. You’ll have the clarity to say “no” to the projects and people that drain you and “yes” to the ones that align with your passions. This sense of control over your own destiny isn’t just empowering—it’s life-changing. And it’s genuinely possible – I’ve done it myself. I once turned down the highest paid job I’d ever been offered because I knew the level of exhaustion and “wrongness” for me wasn’t worth it. And I actually recommended someone I thought was better for the job (they took it and thrived).

Stronger Professional Identity

How do others see you? How do you see yourself? You want to be “different” but not so different that you lose your own identity. With help from outside, you can create a strong, distinct professional identity that sets you apart in the music world, and it’ll fit you and your “brand”. You’ll not only understand your unique value, but you’ll also communicate it more effectively to the people who matter—whether that’s students, colleagues, or potential employers. No more blending in or getting lost in the crowd. No more meh vibes. You’ll stand out as you. And you are the person best placed to be you.

Improved Mental Health

Working in the arts and education can be stressful. But when your career aligns with your true self, you start to find things easier, more interesting, more fulfilling. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and stretched too thin, you’ll feel more satisfied. Your life no longer feels like a battle, but like an extension of who you are. You find a sense of calm, knowing that you’re on the right path and doing work that matters to you. It’s like you’re now a round peg in a round hole, and you glide through the world a little more easily. If you’re not yet experienced this, it’s a joy waiting to happen.
And there’s an interesting by-product of this. Because you begin to understand what being “on track” feels like, you also spot when something doesn’t feel the same. You get VERY good at spotting jobs, advice or people that don’t fit your new ethic. So you get less suckered into problem situations, your boundaries become easier to create and enforce, and you get fewer problem clients, because you can see them coming a mile away, and divert them before they arrive. Which leads to…

Network Expansion

When you’re crystal clear on who you are and what you offer, you naturally start attracting the right people. Career coaching doesn’t just help you figure out your goals; it helps you connect with like-minded professionals, clients, and collaborators who get you. Your network will expand organically, without the exhausting hustle. Opportunities, new projects, and partnerships will begin to flow toward you because you’ve become a magnet for the right connections. The sheer relief I felt when I started to meet people who get me was enormous. I’d pinballed my way through life bumping into manipulative people until I got myself a coach. He has helped me understand who I am, where my talents lie and how to step into my abilities. Now I work with some lovely, talented, excellent people and I shine when I help them to shine.

Enhanced Reputation

As you carve out your unique space in the music world, your reputation grows. You may be seen as a leader in your field – someone who others look to for guidance, inspiration and expertise. People respect professionals who are in control of their careers, who know their worth, and who aren’t afraid to take risks. That respect translates into more opportunities, more recognition, and ultimately, more success. And if money is your thing, it can translate into higher fees and more of them.

Time to tackle the meh vibes?

Career coaching isn’t just for those at the top of their game or those starting out. It’s for anyone who knows there’s more for them. More fulfilment, more balance, more impact. It’s for people who are ready to stop “sort of” living their dream, stop the meh vibes in their track and actually make it happen.

Are you ready to step into the future that’s waiting for you? Book your first career coaching session with me here, and let’s start creating a career – and a life – that reflects and enhances the you you know you are.