What If There’s a Third Option?

The Team Bus 🚌 | Why staying stuck or starting over aren’t your only plays

Aug 18, 2025

The Team Bus is Here! 🚌 Let's go!

Hey Game Changer!

Ever feel like your only career choices are:

→ Stay stuck and burn out
→ Or start over from scratch?

That’s what I call the Misery vs. Mayhem trap — and it’s one of the most common mid-career mindsets keeping smart people from making their next best move.

But here’s the truth:
You don’t have to suffer.
You don’t have to start over.
You just need a better playbook.

🎯 Today’s Play:

Block 15 minutes today to write this prompt at the top of a page:

“If I didn’t have to stay stuck, and I didn’t have to start over — what would I want next?”

Let your answers surprise you.

This one question can shift your whole strategy.

🏈 Want the full play?
This week’s blog breaks down the Misery vs. Mayhem trap — and gives you a blueprint for the powerful “third option” most people never consider. Check your inbox Wednesday!

🎯 Ready to find your best next move?

Figure out what’s blocking your next career move → Take the 1-minute Career Clarity quiz and get your personalized G.A.M.E. Plan.

Want to go deeper? Grab the Maxwell DISC Assessment + Report to uncover how you’re wired to communicate, work, and make decisions — so you can build a career that actually fits.

📒 In Case You Missed It Last Week

💪 The Play-by-Play:

How to Land a Job in 2025 — Without Applying to 100+ Roles or Burning Out in the Process

Aug 13

Read full story

🎙️ Locker-Talk Episode:

Stop Job Searching Like It’s 2015

Sam Powell

Aug 14

Read full story

⭐ The most liked Mini-Play from The Locker Room:

Stop solving the wrong problem.
It’s not “How many jobs do I apply to to get an interview?”
It’s “How do I get in front of the right people?”

Run the play that fits — not the one fear is calling.

Now put down the popcorn and get in the game,
Sam

🔔Keep Up with Career-Winning Ideas: Follow me on LinkedIn
(I’d love to connect!)

P.S. When you're ready, here's 5 ways I can help you:

🏀 Jump start your career: Grab our FREE resources in The Equipment Room
🎯 Figure out what’s blocking your next career move: Take my 1-minute Career Clarity quiz + get your personalized G.A.M.E. Plan to start making plays.
🧠 Get insights into how you’re wired to communicate, work, and make decisions with my Maxwell DISC Assessment + Report and can start building a career that fits you.
⏭️ Grab tools, templates, and quick career help every week to help you turn these plays quickly into progress — become a paid Locker Room subscriber and join The Starting Lineup. Get started for less than $0.17 a day!
📣 Invest an hour in your career with a pro: Request a free coaching session

Bonus: 🎙 Subscribe and listen to our podcast collaboration 'What's On Your Bookshelf' where we talk about life, leadership, & personal growth through the books we're reading. We're reading Unfu*k Yourself right now!

🗨️ What in this newsletter resonated with you? I read every comment - would love to know what you think! 💡 You never know who else your insight might help!