Not long ago, I had an “aha” moment that surprised me.
At 65, I discovered that I meet the criteria for a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) — a term I hadn’t heard until recently.
That discovery didn’t erase anything from my past; it reframed it. Suddenly, so many random or frustrating career moments made sense:
• Why I sometimes felt exhausted by noisy offices and chaotic workplaces
• Why I replayed difficult conversations long after everyone else had moved on
• Why I often noticed small details that changed the outcome of a meeting or deal
And it gave me something even more important: an inner compass I could trust to guide my next chapter.
Late discoveries can reframe your entire story. |
Researchers describe this inner compass through the DOES model: Depth of Processing, Overstimulation, Emotional Responsiveness, and Sensitivity to Subtleties.
Looking back, I can see how those traits shaped my career:
• Excelling in roles that valued collaboration and emotional intelligence
• Leaving environments that were too loud, too fast, or too chaotic
• Learning that the right fit isn’t just about skills; it’s about energy, alignment, and values
Your inner compass shows up in your career choices — even when you don’t realize it. |
I see the same patterns in my coaching clients.
One client realized her natural Emotional Responsiveness showed up in how she used humor to defuse tense moments and help teams stay grounded during stressful projects.
Once she saw it as a strength, she began framing it differently — especially in interviews. Instead of just saying she’s a “team player,” she now shares examples of helping groups stay calm and focused under pressure.
This shift not only builds her confidence; it signals employers that she brings emotional intelligence and resilience — critical skills in high-stakes roles.
Another client discovered his Depth of Processing shows up as a need for analysis before action.
Once he reframed this as an asset, not a liability, he highlighted it in interviews. He positioned himself as someone who sees patterns others miss and makes thoughtful, well-informed decisions.
That gave him the confidence to target senior leadership roles where his style is valued.
When you name your strengths, you can finally use them with confidence. |
I recently joined Annet van Duinen on an episode of her Sensitive and Strong podcast. We explored how powerful this kind of midlife discovery can be — and how it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
If you’re not familiar with the term HSP, Dr. Elaine Aron describes it using the DOES model:
• D – Depth of Processing: Thinking deeply, making meaning from experiences
• O – Overstimulation: Feeling overwhelmed by too much input or pressure
• E – Empathy & Emotional Responsiveness: Feeling emotions (your own and others’) intensely
• S – Sensitivity to Subtleties: Picking up on small shifts and details others might miss
The point is not the label — it’s the awareness and the confidence to use it.
If you recognize these four traits in your own experience, they can act as an inner compass.
And once you learn to trust them, you can make clearer decisions about your work, your boundaries, and your next move.
Take a few minutes to reflect on these prompts as you consider your next chapter.
- What signals has your inner compass been giving you — and how might you trust them more in your next chapter?
- Where have you felt most alive and engaged?
- When did overwhelm or reactivity tell you something needed to change?
- How could honoring those signals shape the next chapter of your career or life?
I created an easy to use Career Inventory tool to help you spot your patterns and turn them into a roadmap for what’s next: Download Here
Podcast: Hear more of my story and practical examples in my conversation with Annet van Duinen: From Chaos to Career Clarity: An HSP’s Journey
Your inner compass has always been there. The question isn’t whether you have it — it’s whether you’re willing to trust it.
The next chapter of your career isn’t about chasing every option; it’s about following the signals that point you toward work and life that fit who you really are.
And when you do, the path forward doesn’t just get clearer — it gets lighter.
-Mark
Mark Wigginton, MS, Certified Professional Coach
Personal Coach | Midlife Guide | Following My Inner Compass
📬 MarkW@FocusingOnResults.com
🌐 www.focusingonresults.com
🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn
P.S. If this message resonated with you, it might speak to someone else too. Forward it to a friend who’s ready for their next chapter—you never know what kind of shift a few words of encouragement can spark.
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