Let me be brutally honest with you. The biggest mistake I made in my career?
I didn’t think far enough ahead.
I didn’t stop to ask: Where do I want to be in 3, 5, or 7 years?
Nope. I was too busy saying yes to every shiny project, chasing the next paycheck, and running myself ragged thinking hard work alone would get me there.
Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
Because here’s the cold, hard truth: if you don’t set your direction, you drift. And drifting doesn’t build the career, business, or life you want.
Hard Work ≠ Vision
Yes, I worked my butt off. But hard work without clarity is like running a marathon blindfolded. You’ll burn energy, but you might end up somewhere you never wanted to be in the first place.
That was me for years. Climbing ladders that weren’t even leaning against the right wall.
And honestly? It’s exhausting.
The Flip Side: Clarity
What I’ve learned now is this: clarity is power.
When you know where you want to be in 3, 5, or 7 years, you stop drifting and start leading your own damn path.
That doesn’t mean you need to plan every twist and turn. Life will throw curveballs (trust me, I’ve had a few). But it does mean you have a compass. You have a filter. You can say: Yes, this moves me closer or No, this is just busy noise.
The 8-and-80-Year-Old Test
Here’s the spin I use now, and it’s a game-changer.
I ask: What would my 8-year-old self say? And what would my 80-year-old self say?
- My 8-year-old self? She’s fearless. She says, “Go for it. Dream bigger. Stop worrying about what people think.”
- My 80-year-old self? She’s wise. She says, “Stop wasting time on crap that doesn’t matter. Be kind. Be bold. Leave a legacy.”
And if both of them would be proud of the decision I’m making today, I know I’m on the right track.
Sonia’s Sassy Tips for Setting Your Future
- Stop drifting. If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there?
- Pick your North Star. Write down where you want to be in 3, 5, and 7 years no censoring, no playing small.
- Reverse engineer it. Want that leadership role in 5 years? Start building the skills and connections now.
- Say hell yes or hell no. If it doesn’t move you closer, it’s a distraction.
- Check in often. Life changes. So do you. Reset your compass every year.
The Bottom Line
The future doesn’t just “happen.” You build it. One bold, clear, unapologetic decision at a time.
So here’s my challenge: stop drifting, start owning it. Ask yourself: What would my 8-year-old and 80-year-old self say about this decision? Then act on it.
About Me — Sonia McDonald
I’m Sonia McDonald, a global leadership expert, award-winning coach, and keynote speaker on a mission to build courageous, kind, and future-ready leaders.
For over 30 years, I’ve been obsessed with one truth: leadership isn’t a title, it’s a way of being.
My journey hasn’t been easy. I started again from nothing as a single mum, facing rejection after rejection, and building my business from the ground up. That adversity shaped my superpower: helping people step into their courage, own their voice, and lead with impact.
Today, I coach executives, CEOs, and emerging leaders to unlock their potential and transform the way they lead. I deliver keynotes that aren’t just talks — they’re experiences. I mix neuroscience, real-world leadership, and a whole lot of authenticity to inspire audiences to act.
My clients call me “the courage catalyst.” I call myself lucky — because I get to help others rise.
If you’re looking for a coach who cuts through the fluff and a speaker who makes you feel, think, and act differently, that’s me.
Because leadership isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up with courage and kindness, every single day.