What to Do When You Feel Stuck in Your Career

First Know and Accept Who You Are 

Two days ago, I had a conversation with a former colleague who felt stuck in her job.

Ma office.

Toward the end of our conversation, she asked me how I left my career as a journalist to become a life coach. Not everyone knows the whole story. I was happy to share it with her. I can show my vulnerabilities and fears if I can help someone with theirs. 

By the end of our conversation, I realized how far I’ve come.

A few years ago I was suffering from fatigue, sadness, and the feeling of powerlessness and being overwhelmed after my husband’s illness. I also struggled about how I should move forward in my career. 

At that time, I was at odds with my coverage beat and was losing interest in my job. Deep inside me, I knew my career no longer served me and that I would not feel excited about it in the future. My outlook on life was also shifting.

After years of achieving good results at work, my performance took a beating. One afternoon, my managers told me I would be moving to a new team, a decision meant to undermine my value. That act could potentially crush my self-esteem.

But it didn’t. Quite frankly, I was surprised about that.

Lost Identity

Many people, including me at the time, associate their worth with their job title, the kind of company they work for, the size of their house, the brand of their car, and many other things that are chosen by society as markers of a person’s value. When those things are taken away, their identity is gone as well.

Fortunately, before I was told about the decision to switch my team, I spent several years looking inward. I first learned to heal those emotions I was feeling at that time and then I lifted myself from my depressive moods by keeping myself inspired. I identified what gave me excitement and energy, and I kept pursuing them. 

Later on, I also learned to see the power in myself from the strength, courage and the accomplishments that I’d made. I was honest with what I was going through and acknowledged that. 

Our sufferings often come from the kind of internal fighting, criticisms or and judgments that WE have WITHIN OURSELVES because we cannot accept ourselves in the first place. 

That leads to disempowering dialogues we have with ourselves centered on such questions as: “How could you?” “How did that happen?” “This is not good enough,” “Why did you do that,” or “Why didn’t you?”

I simply told myself, “It’s ok.” 

It is neither good or bad. It just is; I accepted where I was and respected why I was there, even if that meant my performance was judged by others as not up to par. 

I found that simply giving myself permission to think that “it’s ok” gives me a sense of empowerment. 

I knew who I was without needing any validation or approval from anyone. 

So by the time the move to a new team came, I was pretty self-assured. No, the news was not easy to take, but I didn’t fall into a pit.

I was pleasantly surprised at how I handled the change and also proud of the way I saw myself. Sometimes you just don’t know what you are capable of or how you would feel or act until a situation presents itself.

To the outside world, however, my destiny didn’t look promising. 

Laser Focus

I continued to be laser-focused on my next career move. As I worked long, intense hours at my high-stressful job, I took various training and honed my skills during lunchtime and late at night after I finished the household chores. On the weekend, I taught yoga classes and took more courses. 

In one year, I gained so much clarity on my path forward. That came with a price: I was burned out (not recommended!). But I was also prepared me to take the leap of faith to become a life coach. .  

Sufferings can be blessings in disguise. In my case, they truly were because they were necessary for me to change my life. For the better.

Today, I’m proud of where I am. It hasn’t been an easy road and challenges present themselves in different forms. I am still in it and facing it head on. Because of that, I realize what passion and purpose truly mean. 

I can be at peace with my decisions, my choices and my actions. 

I tell my story because it shows that it isn’t easy to change your life in fundamental ways. The process can feel isolating, confusing and scary. You may face resistance from those around you. There is doubt and fear. 

No, it isn’t easy. But it can be done. I know, because I have gone through it.

To those who are struggling to begin the process, know that I understand and have compassion for you. I am here for you and my heart is bursting with passion for you — even though we may not have met.

Does that sound a little dramatic? Maybe! But that’s me!

If you want support to help you start on or navigate your path to a fulfilling life, let’s talk and see how I can assist you. Click on the button below to arrange a call to explore. I promise you’ll see never yourself the same again.

Love, peace, joy, hope ❤️