Comfort Is Killing Your Career: Why Playing It Safe Is Keeping You Broke and Burnt Out
You’re doing everything right. You’re the dependable one. The organized one. The team player, the go-to, the glue.
So why are you still stuck?
Why does it feel like no matter how hard you work… the recognition, the raise, the leadership seat still feel out of reach?
Here’s the truth that most women never hear:
Comfort is not your reward. It’s your trap.
And if you’ve been wondering why you feel underpaid, overlooked, or out of alignment—it’s probably not because you’re doing it wrong.
It’s because you’ve been playing it safe.
Watch the episode here:
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Playing It Safe Is Costing You More Than You Think
Let’s call it out:
➡️ You stay quiet in meetings even when you have the idea.
➡️ You take on more work because you don’t want to rock the boat.
➡️ You wait for “permission” or the perfect timing to go for more.
➡️ And you’re exhausted—not just from the tasks, but from the mental gymnastics of playing small in spaces you’ve outgrown.
This isn’t a laziness issue. This isn’t a “maybe I’m not cut out for this” issue.
This is a comfort zone issue. And it’s costing you:
Opportunities
Influence
Visibility
Money
👑 The Thought Leader Shift: From Invisible to Irreplaceable
Let’s borrow a mic-drop moment from my guest Nikki Billou:
“Experts are everywhere. Thought leaders are rare.”
If you’re just doing your job and going home, people may respect you.
But if you want to lead, get paid more, and get seen—you need to stand out.
That doesn’t mean performing.
It means positioning.
You are already brilliant. But brilliance doesn’t pay the bills unless it’s seen, heard, and packaged with confidence.
So what’s that “thing” you want to be known for?
What message lights you up?
What experience or expertise do you hold that others need?
Start there. Speak it. Write it. Share it.
When you stop hiding your brilliance, the opportunities start finding you.
💡 From Tragic to Magic: Real Women, Real Transformation
Nikki told a story that’s stayed with me—a woman who was doing everything right, but still plateaued.
Until she stopped trying to serve everyone and started serving her people.
She got clear on who she helped, what she stood for, and how to package her message—and within months, her income and impact skyrocketed.
That kind of transformation isn’t reserved for “other women.” It’s available to you too.
🧠 So What Do You Do With This?
Here’s your next step—and I want you to really do it:
Write this down:
What’s one place I’m playing it safe right now?
What would it look like to step out—just 10%—from that comfort zone this week?
What do I want to be known for—and what’s one way I can start showing up as that woman?
Because clarity doesn’t come from waiting.
It comes from movement.
And mama, you’re not stuck. You’re just one aligned move away from momentum.
“Comfort is like a drug—it numbs your potential while convincing you you’re fine.” — Nikki Billou
💼 Ready to Build a Career That Reflects Your Brilliance?
Hi, I’m Shannon Fox and I help high-achieving women like you ditch the doubt and lead with clarity, confidence, and calm—at work and at home.
Take the FREE Leadership Style Quiz for Working Moms and discover your unique strengths and how to lead with calm and confidence.
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