Why Career “Magic” Is Never an Accident
Sitting at my desk as an employment consultant during this busy month of January in 2026, I’ve been reflecting on something I see consistently at the start of a new calendar year. As the new year begins, more job opportunities begin to flood in and more candidates are actively looking for work. From the outside, it can look like good timing or coincidence, but it’s not accidental. What’s really happening is a combination of preparation, intention, and people deciding they are ready to take action and position themselves for what’s next.
In today’s New Work World, that momentum matters more than ever. With ongoing talent shortages, high demands for exact experience with skillsets that are not always available, and stronger-than-ever work-life balance expectations, many people wonder if creating a more fulfilling career is even possible. Do we need some kind of magical formula to make it happen, or is there another way forward?
As J. K. Rowling has said, “We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better.”
I believe we all can imagine our lives to be better in the New Work World and, through that imagining, create our own kind of magic. The Simply Luxurious Life has defined magic similarly to luck as “the fruition of good news, wished-for dreams, goals pursued with dogged perseverance, and anything that, to the onlooker or the outside world who doesn’t know the behind-the-scenes tale, would be described as magical or unbelievably awesome.”
Even with the many changes and challenges present in the New Work World, we can make our own dreams come true. The key is being intentional and willing to take action, rather than living passively and waiting for everything to simply fall into place. As Oprah Winfrey said, “I believe luck is preparation meeting opportunity.”
Preparation requires a plan. One method I have used successfully in my consulting practice is the Faremouth Method. Consider the five steps below and how this strategy can help you create your own kind of magic in the New Work World.
Step 1: Do a Self-Inventory
Instead of focusing on what you cannot do at this time, flip your focus and think about the abilities and gifts you already possess that bring you joy. Reflect on the achievements, accomplishments, and accolades that are unique to you and your talents. What do you do with ease and confidence? Are you a good organizer, a natural public speaker, or a creative thinker who can take the ordinary and make it extraordinary? Are you a strong problem solver? When you focus on the skills you enjoy using, you may be surprised at how opportunities begin to open up.
Step 2: Ask Better Questions
Consider for a moment that you could wave a magic wand and be anything you wanted to be. What would that look like? I often ask this question of new clients, and it’s interesting what their answers reveal about their passions, interests, and positive experiences. This insight helps me better understand the types of roles that would truly resonate with them. Asking yourself better questions can lead to discoveries that help you take an important step in the right direction.
Step 3: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
We can learn so much about ourselves when we try new experiences. Have you ever taken a class you thought would be too difficult or stressful, only to end up enjoying the people you met and the ideas you learned? Stepping outside your comfort zone can introduce you to opportunities you may never have considered. When visiting long-term client companies at Christmas, it was refreshing to see people I had placed, individuals with solid transferable skills, promoted into new roles. In times of severe talent shortages, employers who are willing to ask different questions and look beyond exact skill matches often end up with stronger, more motivated employees who contribute more to the bottom line.
Step 4: Take Time to Do It Right
A teacher I admired in grade school used to say, “Practice makes perfect.” While simple, there is real wisdom in that statement. Practicing your networking or interview skills can help you feel more confident when discussing opportunities with potential employers. You may also need to practice broadening your perspective on your own abilities and recognizing that you are more capable than you realize. If you feel stuck or unsure how to move forward, seeking guidance from a mentor, counselor, spiritual advisor, or coach can help you uncover the path that is already within reach.
Step 5: Be a Hunter
We must actively seek out the magic within ourselves and be willing to share our full potential with the world. Shifting your mindset from focusing on what is lacking to actively pursuing what could enhance your life can lead to greater fulfillment and satisfaction. The New Work World welcomes professionals who approach opportunities with confidence and a willingness to contribute, rather than hesitation or self-doubt. That mindset often makes all the difference when employers are deciding who to move forward with.
As we move further into the new year, remember that meaningful career progress rarely happens by accident. What often looks like luck or magic from the outside is usually the result of intention, preparation, and consistent effort behind the scenes. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Magic is believing in yourself. If you can do that, you can make anything happen.”
