Every winter, as I drive through the mountains near my home, I see anglers standing in icy rivers, casting lines into freezing water. My first thought is always the same: that looks cold — and I keep driving.

Yet around this time each year, I feel the pull to go fishing myself. In Northern Colorado, February isn’t exactly prime fly-fishing season. Yes, the tailwaters along the Big Thompson or Platte stay open, the current keeps the ice at bay, but it’s still cold and just feels uncomfortable.

As I reread that, I have to ask myself: what’s stopping me? I have the gear. I know the water. Why not go?

Maybe the answer has less to do with fishing and more to do with comfort.

Sometimes you have to lean into something that feels uncomfortable — whether it’s fly fishing in February or making a career move later in your professional life. I’m currently navigating one of those moments, and it’s not about fishing.

Change — whether it’s a new role, a new company, or a shift in industry — is inherently uncomfortable. But what I’m discovering is that it’s also liberating. Change forces clarity. It creates space to reflect on who you are, what you value, and what you truly want next.

It’s also honest. Even with preparation and savings, you can still hear the faint ticking of the clock in the background. That tension is real. But so is the opportunity.

I am learning that periods of transition offer three powerful advantages:

Time to Evaluate.
What actually matters? What do you want more of — and less of — in the next chapter?

Time to Set Intentional Goals.
Goals should align with your long-term vision and stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

Time to Focus.
Clarity eliminates distraction. When your objectives are defined, energy follows direction.

If you’re navigating change, lean into it. Evaluate your situation honestly. Set goals that reflect both ambition and purpose. Focus on executing against them.

And if you happen to be hesitating on the riverbank — metaphorically or literally — maybe it’s time to step into the water.

And here you thought this was about fishing.