Name Your Shift.
Nicole’s Micro OKR for Career Transition
“You don’t need more hustle. You need a name for the change you’re in and a system that can hold you steady when life speeds up.”
If your job search feels like juggling glass, here’s your reminder: put the balls down. The goal isn’t to do more—it’s to name your shift and create a rhythm that works with your life, not against it.
Question: Who will hire me for something different?
Answer: The right fit will see your courage to pivot as proof you’re exactly what they need.
Why Naming Your Shift Matters
When you name the shift, you give your brain a clear lane. Instead of chasing twelve disconnected tasks, you anchor into one outcome that matters now.
Naming is more than productivity, it’s reclamation. For Women of Color who often hold so much for work, family, and community, this small act becomes powerful. It transforms noise into navigation. It allows you to say yes with intention and no without apology.
Meet Nicole: A Career Pivot in Progress
Nicole has built her career with hard work and persistence. But lately? Her heart just isn’t in it anymore. She feels pulled toward a new direction, one aligned with her values and growth. Still, the doubt is real: Who will hire me for something different?
Her friends remind her that her skills are transferable. Yet when callbacks don’t come, the weight of uncertainty sets in. Nicole needs a bridge into her next chapter and a way to track her progress without drowning in busywork.
That’s where her Micro OKR comes in:
Objective: Secure aligned interviews this fall with clarity and confidence.
Key Result 1: Send 8 targeted applications by September 30.
Key Result 2: Schedule 2 networking conversations per week.
Key Result 3: Publish 1 refreshed portfolio or case study by September 20.
Instead of spinning her wheels on endless job boards, Nicole measures what matters: building real connections, showcasing her value, and moving toward interviews that fit the career she truly wants.
Be sure to…
Download the Soulful Systems Starter Sheet to set your micro OKR and time blocks.
Want guidance? Set up your initial call with me. Let’s set up a plan to get you going!
A Gentle System for the First 14 Days
This isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about a steady start that fits your reality.
Nicole pairs her OKR with rhythms that honor her capacity.
Timeboxing That Honors Your Life
Three gentle blocks on your weekday calendar:
Focus block (60–90 minutes): Targeted search and applications.
Connection block (30–45 minutes): Networking touches and follow-ups.
Care block (15–20 minutes): Movement, prayer, or breath.
You don’t have to be perfect in goal setting. Pace yourself for a rhythm you can keep.
Boundaries That Protect Your Search
Nicole also practices clear boundaries. Her scripts protect her focus while still showing respect:
“Thank you for thinking of me. I’m focused on a career transition right now. I’m available after 4 pm this Thursday or early next week.”
“I can help for 20 minutes today. For more support, let’s book a time that works for both of us.”
“I’m limiting meetings before 11 am this week to protect my job search. Here are two times that work.”
Boundaries aren’t walls. They’re agreements that honor your capacity.
A Five-Minute Retrospective
At the end of the day, Nicole checks in with herself:
What moved my Objective forward today?
What blocked me?
What one thing will I adjust tomorrow?
This five-minute reflection is her anchor. It keeps her honest, kind, and committed to real progress.
Try This Thirty-Minute Reset
If you’re shifting careers (or life paths), try this:
Name one outcome that matters this fall.
Draft two observable Key Results.
Block three gentle rhythms on your calendar: focus, connection, care.
Small systems done consistently beat one big “reset” you abandon.
📲Your Next Steps
Download the Soulful Systems Starter Sheet to set your micro OKR and time blocks.
Want guidance? Set up your initial call with me. Let’s set up a plan to get you going!
Key Takeaways from this Blog
- Naming your shift focuses your energy.
- A micro OKR defines progress without overwhelm.
- Gentle timeboxes create sustainable rhythm
- Boundaries protect your focus.
- Retrospectives build trust with yourself.
References
Harvard Business Review on timeboxing
Cal Newport on deep work
Teresa Amabile on the progress principle
Agile Alliance on retrospectives
What is Brown Girl Agility?
Short Answer: A coaching and community space where ambitious women of color trade hustle for soulful systems and finally find productivity that feels like home.
If you’ve ever felt like your calendar is packed but your cup is empty—you’re not alone. Many Women of Color carry the weight of being everything to everyone, only to realize their own goals keep slipping to the bottom of the list.
That’s exactly why I created Brown Girl Agility (BGA): to help you shift from survival mode into systems that honor your rhythm, protect your peace, and build your legacy.
At BGA, we:
Affirm your brilliance by creating systems that reflect your life and culture.
Coach you with compassion through 1:1 productivity and leadership sessions.
Equip you with tools like gentle OKRs, soulful systems, and reset rituals.
Celebrate your growth with workshops, group coaching, and community spaces.
It’s productivity, but without the pressure. Systems, but with soul.
Who We Serve
BGA is built for those who:
Want to reclaim their time from hustle culture.
Feel overwhelmed by expectations but crave structure that feels natural.
Are ready to step into leadership, not just at work but in their own lives.
Desire community with others who understand the cultural weight they carry.
Our Approach: Soulful Agility
At BGA, we take Agile methods - frameworks used to transform teams and companies - and translate them into everyday practices for your life. Think:
Micro OKRs → goals that motivate without guilt.
Soulful Systems → rhythms for planning, working, and resting.
Reset Rituals → weekly check-ins and seasonal pauses that keep you aligned.
We help you forget rigid schedules and create a flow you can trust.
Why BGA Matters
Because too often, women of color are told to push harder instead of being given the space to move smarter, softer, steadier.
BGA is your reminder:
You don’t have to earn rest.
You can lead with ease and still be powerful.
You’re not behind—you’re simply blooming at your own pace.
How to Get Started with BGA
Ready to step into your own Shift Season? Here’s how to begin:
Explore the Website and Blogs → Free resources and soulful strategies you can start using today.
Book a 30 Minute Initial Call → Let’s talk about what’s on your plate and how BGA can support you.
Join a Coaching Program → Choose from 1:1 coaching, group workshops, or seasonal resets.
Your rhythm matters. And at BGA, we’re here to honor it.
You’re Not Behind, You’re Blooming: A Permission Slip to Start Again
If you’ve been carrying guilt about slow progress, take a breath. You’re not behind. You’re blooming.
“I should be further along.”
“I haven’t done enough.”
These thoughts are heavy and often untrue. They come from hustle culture and unrealistic timelines, not from the truth of your growth.
Sometimes growth is invisible. Sometimes it’s rest. Sometimes it’s the courage to start again. Believe in growth without guilt. Progress isn’t a straight line.
And truthfully? You’re blooming exactly as you should.
Sometimes the work is invisible. The healing. The boundaries. The rest. That’s all progress, too.
Let’s reframe:
Pausing is productive.
Starting again is strength.
You don’t have to earn rest or resets.
The Mid-Year Reset:
Realign, Reclaim, and Bloom
Join Brown Girl Agility’s Mid-Year Reset to realign your goals, reclaim your time, and bloom into your next season—with coaching, tools, and support.
🌼 A New Way to Reenter
You don’t need a full plan to restart. You just need permission. And you already have it.
Try this instead:
Write a letter from your future self.
She is grounded.
She is proud.
She has made it through hard things.
What does she want you to remember right now?
📝 Homework
Write your “You’re Not Behind” letter. Let it be honest. Let it be kind. 🙏🏾
Choose one small action this week to help you reconnect with your goals in a way that feels gentle, not overwhelming.
💡 Let’s Reset Together
✨ Book a 15-Min Discovery Call
📣 Learn more about our upcoming Workshops (Virtual + In-Person)
Mid-Year Reset: Realign, Reclaim, and Reset Your Rhythm
Let’s be honest. This year has been a lot.
You started out strong. Your intentions were clear, your planner was fresh, and your motivation was high. But as the months passed, life started “life-ing”. Now your routines feel disconnected, and your goals no longer reflect your current energy or priorities.
June offers the chance to reflect, reset, and reconnect with what matters to you right now. This isn’t about catching up. It’s about choosing alignment over pressure and giving yourself space to shift. It’s about listening to what your life needs now. This is your time to realign with your values, reclaim your energy, and reset your rhythm for the months ahead.
The Mid-Year Reset:
Realign, Reclaim, and Bloom
Join Brown Girl Agility’s Mid-Year Reset to realign your goals, reclaim your time, and bloom into your next season—with coaching, tools, and support.
🌼 Why June Is the Perfect Reset
June gives you room to breathe. The days are longer, the pressure is lighter, and the year is still yours to shape. It’s a chance to review the first half of the year without judgment. You get to reset without apology. It’s the perfect moment to ask: “What do I need now?”
🔄 Your Mid-Year Reset Ritual
Step 1: Set the Mood
Create a peaceful space. Light a candle, grab your journal, and turn off notifications. Yes, turn them off.
Step 2: Reflect with Purpose
What am I most proud of so far this year?
What no longer serves me?
What does peace look like in this season?
[Bonus Question] What does success feel like now?
Step 3: Redesign Your Rhythm
Look at your routines and commitments with fresh eyes. What needs to shift so that your calendar and your energy are aligned? What needs to go?
📝 Homework
Set aside one hour this week to complete your Reset Ritual.
Journal your answers and update one part of your weekly routine that’s been weighing you down.
💡 Let’s Reset Together
✨ Book a 15-Min Discovery Call
📣 Learn more about our upcoming Workshops (Virtual + In-Person)
Busy Brain? Meet Your Match!
Girl, I Get It. Your Mind is BUSY
Between back-to-back meetings, endless errands, family calls you can't skip, and that mythical moment labeled "self-care"—it's exhausting just thinking about it. If your mind feels like a browser with 45 tabs open, you’re not alone. Trust me, I see you.
Whether you're managing ADHD or just trying to wrangle your mile-long mental checklist, slowing down enough to plan your day can seem impossible. But here’s the deal: Timeboxing, especially when powered by an online calendar like Google Calendar or Outlook, can help you regain control without losing your peace.
Why Timeboxing + Digital Calendars Are Your BFFs
I adore my paper planners, fr! To be honest, when life is “life-ing”, digital calendars offer flexibility. You can easily drag and drop your tasks when plans inevitably shift, and notifications gently remind you to refocus without feeling overwhelming. Recurring tasks significantly reduce mental load by automating your routines, and since digital calendars sync across all your devices, your perfectly structured schedule travels with you wherever life takes you.
Why These Apps are Life Savers for ADHD & Overwhelm
Digital calendars aren't just practical—they're genuinely supportive tools, especially if you're navigating ADHD or constant overwhelm. Instead of holding everything in your head, your calendar becomes your external memory, freeing you from constant anxiety. Visual scheduling naturally reduces decision fatigue, making your day-to-day life feel lighter. Color-coding tasks isn't just aesthetically pleasing; it provides emotional clarity—red might signal intensity, while green can represent ease and calm. Alerts from these apps act as gentle reminders rather than harsh commands, making them feel more like supportive nudges. Plus, easy editing reduces stress and guilt when things inevitably change.
Your Homework (Yes, You’ve Got This)
Tomorrow, I want you to pick your three most critical tasks and thoughtfully block out time for each in Google Calendar or Outlook. Be sure to include intentional breaks and downtime—these aren't luxuries; they're necessities. Choose colors and alerts that genuinely resonate with your style and brain. At the end of the day, pause and reflect: Did this structure ease your chaos? Were you able to move through your day with greater clarity and ease?
Final Words of Encouragement
You’re not doing too much—life just expects a lot from us. Let your calendar become a compassionate partner in your journey, not a strict overseer. Remember, timeboxing isn't about rigid control; it's about crafting intentional moments of calm in your beautifully busy life.