Stay in Your Lane, Own Your Story: Navigating Career Moves Without Losing Yourself
One of my favorite sayings is simple: “Stay in your lane, it stops collisions.”
It’s something I come back to every time I’m in transition—whether stepping into a new role, leaving a toxic one, or discerning the right next move. Career shifts can feel like merging onto a highway at rush hour: lanes crisscrossing, traffic flying by, and everyone swerving to get ahead. The only way to move forward without wrecking yourself is to know your lane and trust your story.
What “Lane” Really Means
A lane isn’t about limitation—it’s about clarity. Too often “stay in your lane” is thrown around to keep people small, to discourage growth, or to box someone in. But when you define your own lane, it becomes a shield, not a cage.
Your lane is the ground where your strengths, values, and results overlap. It’s the sweet spot where you’re not just busy—you’re impactful. When you know it, you don’t have to overperform or shapeshift into what everyone else wants. You move with authority, because you know exactly where you add value.
And the collisions? They come when you drift into lanes that don’t belong to you—when you overextend, compare yourself, or chase recognition outside of your purpose. That’s when burnout, imposter syndrome, and resentment show up. Staying in your lane doesn’t mean you’ll never switch lanes—it means when you do, it’s intentional, not reckless.
Why Story is the Anchor
If your lane gives you clarity, your story gives you grounding.
Your story is what keeps your lane from being mechanical. It’s the narrative of how you got here—the battles you fought, the lessons you learned, the values that never shifted, even when the roles around you did.
I’ve learned this the hard way: if you don’t own your story, someone else will write it for you. In career moves, people will project stories onto you before they know you. They’ll call you “the fixer,” “the diversity hire,” “the young one,” “the old head,” or whatever narrative makes sense to them. If you don’t step in with your own story, theirs becomes your truth by default.
Owning your story isn’t about oversharing or wearing your scars as a badge of honor—it’s about refusing to let your history be erased. It’s about showing how your setbacks became strategies, how your pivots became proof that you can endure, and how your experiences built not just skill but character.
Why This Matters in Career Moves
Career moves test both your lane and your story. New titles are exciting, but they also come with pressure: prove yourself, earn your seat, adapt quickly. That pressure can pull you out of alignment if you’re not grounded.=
Here’s the reality: people trust clarity and authenticity more than perfection. Leaders who know their lane don’t try to control everything—they focus on the places they can move the needle and empower others to do the rest. Leaders who know their story don’t show up pretending to have it all together—they build trust by modeling growth and honesty.
Transitions aren’t just about doing the job. They’re about how you carry yourself in the room. If you know your lane, you walk in focused. If you know your story, you walk in authentic. Together, they become your compass, so even in new territory, you don’t lose yourself.
Some Questions to Sit With
If you’re in the middle of a career move—or even considering one—ask yourself:
What’s my lane, and how do I describe it in one clear sentence?
Where in the past have I left my lane—and what did it cost me?
What’s my story, and how am I telling it with both honesty and strength?
Who has tried to write my story for me, and how do I need to reclaim it?
These aren’t just journal prompts. They’re strategy. Because clarity and story are the best armor you’ll have when people start projecting, assuming, or testing who you are in a new space.
Carrying This Into the Room
Career moves are thresholds. They’re not just about new paychecks, new business cards, or fresh email signatures. They’re about remembering who you are while stepping into who you’re becoming.
So as you step into that next role, remember this: your lane is your clarity, your story is your depth. Together, they stop collisions, silence noise, and steady you when everything around you feels like chaos.
Because the truth is, career success isn’t just about where you’re headed. It’s about how you carry the person you’ve always been into the places you’re called to go.