047 -- AMA Show - Don’t Pivot Blindly: Career Growth with Purpose

In this episode of the Next Better Show, Coach Lucas Woody unpacks what it really means to pivot in your career without burning everything to the ground. Whether you’re early in your career, feeling stuck mid-journey, or exploring a major shift later in life, this conversation is for you.

Coach Woody shares why "complete reinvention" is rarely the answer—and what to focus on instead. You'll learn how to uncover your core values, navigate uncertainty with intention, and shift your mindset from "I can't because..." to "I could if...".

He also breaks down the power of mentorship, how to build relationships that lead to real opportunities, and how to know if you're truly making progress or just staying busy.

Plus, in celebration of his birthday and the 5-year anniversary of Next Better, Coach Woody shares a special gift for listeners.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why complete reinvention is usually a mistake

• Two questions that guide every meaningful career pivot

• The mindset trap that keeps people stuck

• How to define your core values and use them to guide your career

• How to approach interviews, mentorship, and networking with clarity

• The difference between taking action vs. staying busy

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome and show setup01:34 – The 5-year origin story of Next Better02:46 – Career pivots at every stage of life05:00 – Advice for those who know what they want but don’t know where to start06:52 – The trap of overdefining your future11:12 – Feeling unfulfilled at work: what to do first13:40 – Running away vs. running toward something15:22 – Common mindset traps (and how to escape them)21:46 – Why "can't" is the killer of dreams26:00 – How to find the right mentor36:34 – The philosophy behind authentic networking44:36 – Interviews are not a test—they're relationships46:42 – Why full reinvention rarely works55:00 – Are you progressing or just staying busy?59:15 – A gift for listeners: The Next Better Journal1:00:30 – Final thoughts and next episode preview