Last week, I attended a talk (with my favorite sports fan, my mom!) at the Obama Presidential Center about the intersection of sports and business.

The Center is a place of awe. It really stands out. You cannot miss the building as you make your way down 57th Street.

And it also stands for something. Actually, so many somethings. History, beauty, activism, and fun in the form of gardens, paths to walk, art to view and events like this one put on by the Executive’s Club of Chicago. A diverse intersection of interests and stories.

The event was also a diverse intersection. The name of the event was More than a Game. The panel was made up of Dan Moriarty, CMO of Chicago Fire FC. Alyssa Naeher, the very-medaled goalkeeper from the Chicago Stars FC, Laura Ricketts, owner of the Chicago Stars FC (and also part owner of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Sky) and Michael Strautmais, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for The Obama Foundation. The panel was moderated by Phil Clement, former CMO from Aon and current President and CEO of World Business Chicago.

The discussion was fast-paced, interesting and fun.

One common theme was looking at what moved the individuals, teams and businesses forward. Essentially what were the business levers they were using?

A lever is something that creates disproportionately large results from a relatively small amount of effort. Instead of pushing harder, you find the point where a small shift creates a much bigger impact.

In business and the business of sports these levers can answer questions like:

• How to get more customers?

• How to add more value to what is being offered?

• How to retain current customers?

• How to get customers to engage more?

• How to be more efficient and effective at work?

• How and where to innovate?

• How to differentiate and stand out from the crowd?

Our careers have levers too. The problem isn’t that they don’t exist. It’s that we’ve been taught to rely on effort instead of leverage.

And effort always wants to know HOW.

The How of most career advice tells us to push.

• Work longer.

• Network more.

• Collect another certification.

• Apply to another hundred jobs.

• Volunteer for one more project.

None of those things are bad. In fact, they can absolutely move your career forward.

But they’re all based on the same assumption: More effort equals more results.

As someone who works with women who are already carrying a lot, I find myself asking a different question.

What Small Shifts Can Create Career Growth Without Creating Exhaustion?

This is where I think Career Alchemy offers a different way of looking at career growth.

One of my own career levers is surprisingly simple.

Every so often, I pause and say:

“Hey, Universe… I’m ready.”

I’m ready for the next client.

I’m ready for the next speaking opportunity.

I’m ready for the project that’s a better fit for who I am today.

I’m ready for the next idea.

That’s it.

No elaborate to-do list. No strategic plan. Just a quiet declaration that I’m open and ready to receive guidance and take action.

And often, something shifts.

Sometimes a past client reaches out.

Sometimes someone makes an introduction.

Sometimes an opportunity appears that wasn’t even on my radar.

Is it because the Universe heard me?

Maybe.

Is it because my brain begins noticing opportunities it was filtering out before?

Probably.

For me, I don’t feel the need to separate those two. I believe both can be true.

And this had me wondering how many career levers we overlook because they don’t look like “work.”

Maybe a lever isn’t activated by doing more.

Maybe it’s activated when you become more aligned.’

Here are a few Levers of Alchemy I recommend:

• The Readiness Lever: Declare that you’re ready for what’s next. I wrote about this last week in my blog on the most productive thing you can do might be to walk away from your desk (READ IT HERE)

• The Visibility Lever: Find a way to connect with others who might be helpful in your career from a place that feels genuine to you. Maybe you join a bowling league or attend a conference that interests you or sign up for an improv class!

• The Relationship Lever: Invest deeply in one meaningful connection rather than collecting hundreds of contacts. Share one authentic story with someone over lunch. Ask a curiosity question before a meeting gets started that is unrelated to work. Get people talking.

• The Trust Lever: Replace constant striving with the belief that not everything has to be forced. Trust it will all work out. Trust you will have the capacity to meet any situation. Trust you will have the courage required to do what is needed. Trust that the time you took (or took off) was not wasted. Believe the money spent was always a wise investment even if others can’t see how.

• The Fun Lever: One of my favorites! Pay attention to what lights you up. The Fun Lever can give great info on how your next career chapter needs to feel. When in doubt ask yourself, “What would feel the most like fun right now?” and do that!

The big thing to notice is that none of these eliminate effort. You still need to respond to the needs of the lever, but it does not ever have to feel heavy and leave you lying on your couch face down in exhaustion.

The real path to moving your career forward in a way that feels aligned with who you are today is to pull the levers that don’t require everything you have to give.

The levers you choose will give you something instead. They are additive!

The levers of Alchemy will build your confidence, expand your relationships, increase your energy, and leave you with more of yourself instead of less.

Stay inspiHER’d,