How to Define a Career-Defining Moment—and What to Do With It

Be aware of that one specific event that can change the direction of your professional life 

The concept of a defining moment is simple: a person’s whole life can be determined by a pivotal point in time. Success or failure, happiness or despair, can all be attributed to what happens after a single, significant event.

Defining moments can be designed, but most happen because of numerous factors that converge to create something memorable and life-changing. It’s the ability to take advantage of these unique circumstances—to master the moment—that can change a career and life for the better.

The hallmarks of a defining moment

Most personal defining moments are easy to identify and are typically associated with life-altering, milestone events: births, deaths, illnesses, and recovery. These moments tend to reverberate in ways that touch all parts of our existence.

Professional defining moments are trickier to pinpoint. The truly career-defining events may challenge your belief systems, force you to change your behavior, and leave you wondering, "why?” 

A chance meeting with an executive who offers the opportunity of a lifetime could be an example of a career-defining moment; so could a new assignment to a case that is sure to make national headlines. A pandemic that forces you to pivot your career toward something that ultimately brings you more satisfaction might be another.

These moments will not alter anything by merely presenting themselves. It is what you do with the moment that matters. 

The a-ha moment that changes everything

In many cases, the career-defining moment is an instant realization followed by a promise to act. It can be a breakthrough in mindset or a decision after a question that had been festering for months or years, brought on by a pivotal event.

For leaders, a defining moment is different from most daily management decisions because it has the most significant impact on an organization. The risks associated with momentous decisions are usually greater. The potential downsides—if there is a problem—are a bigger deal, along with the rewards.

These types of defining moments are, in a sense, self-propelled. While they may seem to happen randomly or as a result of “fate,” they are more likely the byproducts of our actions as we progress through professional life. 

But what about those defining moments that stem from forces outside of our control? 

When the moment is forced upon us

In her book Option B, Sheryl Sandberg addressed her husband's sudden death and how it changed the trajectory of her personal and professional life. She offers a three-step process for navigating the most life-shattering of defining moments: face the adversity, build resilience, and find joy. 

Ms. Sandberg was able to channel her mourning into productivity. She created optionB.org to help others build resilience in the face of adversity. Many people facing loss have gravitated toward social activism; consider the survivors of school shootings. They found their personal and professional purpose in the wake of a defining moment.  

For many business leaders, a career-defining moment happened when they were forced to make a decision that impacted many lives. Think of the CEO who has the final approval on a life-altering medication or the closure of a factory that employs thousands and supports an entire region. 

Many career-defining moments do not involve tragic or other incredibly dramatic events, however. Most of us will have an opportunity to redefine ourselves under less stressful and traumatic circumstances. 

Moving forward definitively

To master the moment and frame what happens next on your terms, experts suggest meeting a defining moment with a complete assessment of your purpose, followed by creating a well-reasoned plan. An action plan must be specific but realistic; you want to grasp the opportunity and build on the momentum of your moment within practical parameters.

The most challenging defining moments are those that will shake you to your core and require you to throw out past conceptions of a career persona and mission. Many individuals experience the need to recalibrate entirely.

And part of moving forward after a defining moment is acknowledging our fears. If you plan to act boldly, it’s crucial to recognize that some people may laugh at your ideas or doubt your new purpose.  

An abrupt reckoning of any sort can be scary. But people who land on their feet after a life-altering event are those who redefine themselves in light of their circumstances, rather than let that defining moment control who they will be.

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