Starting Later, Not Starting Over: Janet Kim on Applied Judgment in Career Transitions

In a recent LinkedIn post, Janet Kim explores a powerful reframing of career transitions, particularly for those who believe it might be “too late” to pursue new goals. Kim challenges the notion of “reinvention” and instead advocates for a strategy she terms “applied judgment,” emphasizing building upon existing foundations rather than starting from scratch.

Challenging the ‘Too Late’ Narrative

Kim shares her personal experience of stepping onto a TED stage at 59, an achievement she attributes not to a lifelong dream of public speaking, but to a shift in perspective. She highlights that this change occurred in the same year she learned to write and tell stories, and subsequently built a coaching practice from existing conversations.

“I didn’t reinvent myself. I applied judgment.”

This distinction is central to Kim’s argument. She posits that the critical question for individuals facing career crossroads should not be “Is it too late?” but rather, “What am I no longer willing to defer?” This reframing, according to Kim, shifts the focus from perceived limitations to the potential for immediate action based on current capabilities.

The Power of Applied Judgment

Kim elaborates on what “applied judgment” looks like in practice, moving away from the idea of a complete overhaul. Instead, she suggests leveraging existing assets and experiences.

Leveraging Existing Strengths

As Janet Kim notes, applied judgment involves recognizing transferable skills and focusing on relationships that offer compounding benefits. This approach avoids the common pitfall of “starting over” by building upon what already exists.

“You stop starting over. You build from what already holds. Pattern recognition gets used. Depth gets applied. Past roles become leverage.”

Kim argues that when the tendency towards avoidance diminishes, a phase of “precision” can begin. This precision is characterized by several key actions:

• Recognizing which skills are transferable to new endeavors.
• Focusing on relationships that yield increasing returns over time.
• Taking action without excessive deliberation.
• Constructing new paths from what is already functional and proven.

Precision Over Pretence

A significant aspect of Kim’s perspective is how starting later in one’s career removes the possibility of “pretending.” Unlike younger individuals who might have the luxury of extensive trial and error, those starting later, as Kim points out, are “starting with precision.” This distinction, she concludes, fundamentally alters the perception and experience of time.

“Starting later removes the option of pretending. You’re not starting over. You’re starting with precision. That distinction changes how time works.”

Janet Kim’s insights offer a valuable framework for professionals contemplating career shifts, encouraging a strategic and grounded approach that maximizes existing strengths and experiences rather than succumbing to the daunting idea of a complete restart.