The Two Discomforts of Career Growth: Ani Filipova on Overcoming Regret

In a recent LinkedIn post, Ani Filipova discusses the critical choices that shape professional journeys, particularly for senior leaders. Filipova highlights the common tendency to avoid difficult decisions and the distinct types of discomfort that arise from either action or inaction.

Filipova opens by framing the situation starkly: “There are only two paths from here. Both begin with a choice that most people put off.” The core of her message revolves around the often-underestimated fear of starting anew, even for accomplished professionals.

The Fear of the Beginner’s Discomfort

According to Ani Filipova, the primary hesitation for many senior leaders isn’t the prospect of failure itself, but rather the discomfort associated with returning to a beginner’s stage. This sentiment is powerfully illustrated by Filipova’s examples:

“Like writing that first post and getting just twelve likes. Or pitching your first offer and having no one buy. Or applying for a board seat and not hearing back. Or sitting with the feeling of not being good at something for the first time in twenty years.”

Filipova argues that this discomfort, while palpable, is a temporary hurdle. The potential outcomes of taking a chance are framed positively: success or learning. As Ani Filipova points out, “If you give it a shot, one of two things will happen. 1) You succeed. 2) Or you learn. That’s the whole downside!!”

The Lingering Discomfort of Regret

In contrast to the acute, but ultimately healing, discomfort of trying and facing setbacks, Ani Filipova identifies a more insidious form of discomfort: the quiet, persistent regret that stems from never taking the leap. This is the outcome for those who avoid the initial discomfort of starting over.

Filipova elaborates on this less obvious, yet more damaging, consequence: “But if you don’t try, there’s only one outcome. You’ll spend your life wondering (sometimes bitterly) what might have happened if you had.” This “quieter discomfort” doesn’t announce itself loudly but can manifest later in life as a “slow, lingering regret about the next exciting chapter that never happened.”

The Lasting Impact of Choices

The distinction Filipova draws between these two types of discomfort is crucial. She asserts that while the discomfort of trying and failing eventually fades and leads to growth, the discomfort of inaction leaves a permanent scar.

“The first one heals. The second one doesn’t.”

This perspective underscores Filipova’s central thesis: the fear of temporary discomfort can lead to a lifetime of regret, a far more significant professional and personal cost. By highlighting this, Ani Filipova encourages professionals to confront the initial discomfort as a necessary step toward building a more fulfilling and option-rich career.

Filipova, who works with successful professionals ready to expand their horizons beyond their current roles, is offering a path forward. Her upcoming Portfolio Career Accelerator, set to begin in September, is designed for those prepared to make the choice to build such options. She provides a free quiz to help individuals assess their readiness for their next career chapter.