Feeling Stuck in Your Career?
Here’s How a Shift in Perspective Can Lead to Career Change
My work revolves around having conversations with professionals who feel stuck in their careers. They talk about how their work has lost its spark, how they feel like they’ve hit a wall and don’t know how to move forward. If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Many of us reach a point in our professional lives where we wonder, “Where did the joy go?” or “How do I make work meaningful again?” The good news is, sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective to reignite that passion and find clarity in your career. In fact, this is often the first step to a successful career change — changing the way you think about your current situation and the possibilities ahead.
Why Feeling Stuck Could Be a Sign You Need a Career Change
There are countless reasons why you might feel stuck at work. Maybe you’ve outgrown your role, or the work no longer aligns with your values. It could be that you’re facing constant challenges without a sense of progress, or perhaps you’ve simply lost the connection to what once motivated you. Whatever the cause, feeling stuck in your career can lead to frustration, low morale, and even burnout if left unchecked. For many, this frustration is the first sign that a career change might be necessary.
The Power of Perspective in a Successful Career Change
The key to moving forward is often a change in how we see our situation. When you’re deep in frustration, it’s easy to feel like there are no options. You might feel boxed in by your current role or lack of opportunities. But with the right guidance and tools, you can uncover new pathways and opportunities that may have been hidden in plain sight—an important step in any career change journey.
A shift in perspective can help you:
1. Reassess your values – What’s important to you now may have changed since you first started your career. By reconnecting with your core values, you can make choices that feel more aligned with who you are today, paving the way for a clearer career change.
2. Recognise hidden opportunities – Sometimes, the opportunities we seek are right in front of us, but we’re too focused on the negative aspects of our job to see them. A fresh perspective can help you identify new possibilities within your current role or industry, opening the door to a smoother career change.
3. Reignite your sense of purpose – When you lose sight of why you do what you do, it’s easy to feel unfulfilled. By clarifying your purpose, you can make decisions that lead to a more rewarding and joyful career—one that might even involve a bold career change.
How Career Coaching Can Support Your Career Change
The process of shifting your mindset doesn’t always come naturally. It often helps to have someone outside of your situation to guide you through it. This is where career coaching or mentorship can play a pivotal role. A coach can help you ask the right questions, challenge your limiting beliefs, and support you in exploring new options that align with a potential career change.
As a coach, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this shift can be. One client of mine, for example, felt stuck in a job that no longer excited him. He believed that his only option was to change job entirely, but after working together, he realised that the issue wasn’t the role itself—it was the type of work he was doing within it. By taking small but meaningful actions, he found a way to renegotiate his role that reignited his passion and aligned with his strengths, avoiding the need for a drastic career change.
Practical Steps to Shift Your Perspective for a Career Change
If you’re feeling stuck in your career and aren’t sure how to shift your mindset, here are a few steps to help you get started on your career change journey:
1. Reflect on what’s changed – Think back to when you first started your current job. What did you love about it? What’s different now? This can help you identify the source of your frustration and what needs to shift, making it easier to determine whether a career change is the right next step.
2. Identify your strengths – Sometimes, feeling stuck comes from focusing too much on your weaknesses or areas where you’re struggling. Take stock of your strengths and think about how you can use them to create new opportunities, whether within your current role or through a career change. This article talks you through different ways to discover your workplace strengths.
3. Consider new learning opportunities – Upskilling or reskilling can open up new career paths. Whether it’s a formal course, online learning, or simply diving into a new project at work, expanding your knowledge can lead to exciting changes and a possible career change.
4. Get support – Whether through a career coach, mentor, or trusted colleague – having someone to bounce ideas off can give you the clarity you need to move forward with a successful career change.
Ready to Take the First Step Towards a Career Change?
If you’re feeling stuck and unsure of your next steps, remember that you’re not alone. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective to uncover the hidden opportunities waiting for you. Whether you’re considering a full career change or just need to re-evaluate your current path, shifting the way you think about your work can make all the difference.
Feeling stuck doesn’t have to be permanent. With the right support and mindset, you can rediscover joy in your career and move towards a more fulfilling professional life—whether that involves a career change or not.
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