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.