"NATO Applying": Why Letting Go Can Be Your Secret Weapon

Give chill vibes and let good things come your way

Photo by Kalai Pagente on Unsplash

Let’s kick off the week with a corporate buzzword that actually makes sense for once.

Drumroll, please… “NATO applying.” No, this isn’t about sending in your CV to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, though I’m sure they’re lovely employers.

NATO, in this context, stands for Not Attached To the Outcome—a mindset that’s quietly empowering job seekers to navigate the chaos of finding a job with a little more zen.

Essentially, it means applying for opportunities without getting too hung up on whether you’ll actually land them.

Chill Vibes Win Prizes

Have you ever noticed that when you’re obsessed with something—like really obsessed—it almost never works out? But then your laid-back friend waltzes in and snags the thing you were losing sleep over? Annoying, but weirdly true.

Take my story as Exhibit A. After a year at my current company, a team lead position opened up. The competition was fierce. People were strategising and making PowerPoint presentations with ideas on why they should be promoted. Meanwhile, I focused on doing what I always do—delivering stellar experiences to our clients and getting tons of appraisal from them

One of my colleagues wanted that role so badly it she could not stop talking about it. And guess what?

Management came straight to me and offered the position. No internal interviews, no drama—just, “We think you’re the right fit.” Even when I suggested they interview others to keep things fair, they stuck with their decision.

The Flip Side: When I Tried Too Hard

Now, let’s talk about when I wasn’t so chill. Earlier this year, I applied for a dream job at a company I’ve admired for years. I went all in.

I memorised their website, binged their YouTube channel, and probably knew their mission statement better than their CEO. By the time I hit the third interview, I was basically ready to tattoo their logo on my arm.

And… I didn’t get the job. The hiring manager even said, “You’re great! You have nailed the simulation as if you were already trained by us. But we’re shifting this role to something more sales-focused.” Ouch.

The Psychology of Letting Go

Here’s where things get interesting—and a little scientific. Psychologists call this phenomenon the paradox of striving. When we hyper-focus on an outcome, we unknowingly create anxiety and tension, which can affect our performance and decision-making. On the flip side, adopting a “not attached to the outcome” mindset reduces pressure, allowing us to act more authentically and confidently.

This is rooted in self-determination theory, which emphasises the importance of intrinsic motivation (doing something because you enjoy it) over extrinsic motivation (doing something for a reward). When you’re genuinely invested in the process rather than fixated on the result, you’re more likely to excel—and ironically, achieve your goal.

Morale of the story? Care less about outcomes, live more!

Did you have any similar experiences ? I would love to hear them :)