I am not a robot, and my work history has periods of great change and some slower spells. I've come to accept that everything happens in its own time, and I can rest secure in the knowledge that a river always flows, no matter how slowly. This mindset helps me navigate obstacles, such as career changes or blocks, by going around them, over them, or carving through them. A career ladder model is restrictive, while a career river model celebrates diversity of thought and experience, drives creativity and innovation, and acknowledges the effort and time it takes to break down barriers. By embracing my career as a river, I can find strength in collaboration, identify my ultimate goal, and visualize how to get there. This approach creates a delta of many different paths, all equally valid to pursue, and gives me the freedom to explore what matters to me instead of locking myself to one inflexible path.