Feeling 'Stuck' in Your Career? Here's How to Move Forward

You've put in the work. You've climbed the ladder, gained experience, and established yourself as competent in your field. But lately, a familiar feeling has crept in: stuckness.

​It's a strange and often silent struggle. It's not about being new to the job anymore; you know what you're doing. Instead, it's about not knowing where to go next. The career path you were on suddenly feels like a dead end, leaving you questioning your purpose and next steps. In the age of AI this feeling of stuckness and uncertainty about the future is becoming more and more common.

​This can be a difficult place to be, and it’s a feeling that many of us experience. It’s important to understand that feeling stuck isn't a failure. It's an invitation to pause, reflect, and explore what truly matters to you now.

​Understanding the Feeling of Stuckness

​From a therapeutic perspective, this feeling of being stuck often stems from a deeper place.

​Person-Centred Therapy would view this as a disconnect between your current career and your authentic self. The things that motivated you before, like a higher salary or a new job title, may no longer align with who you are today. This creates an internal conflict that can feel paralyzing. You might be asking yourself, "Is this all there is?" and that question is an important part of finding your way forward.

​Solution-Focused Therapy would acknowledge this feeling but shift the focus. Instead of dwelling on why you feel stuck, it would encourage you to think about a time when you felt motivated or a moment when you felt a sense of purpose. By identifying what was different in those moments, you can start to notice small clues and build on the exceptions to the "stuck" feeling. This approach reminds us that you have the resources within you to make a change, even if you can't see them clearly right now.

​Three Ways to Start Moving Forward

​Here are a few tools you can use to start navigating this space:

​1. Shift Your Focus from 'What' to 'Why'. Instead of just looking for the next job title, ask yourself what you want to achieve. What are the core values that truly matter to you today? Is it creativity? Autonomy? Helping others? Write down your values and look for ways you can live them out, both in your current role and in new opportunities.

​2. Look for Small, Controllable Actions. The idea of a huge career change can feel overwhelming. Instead, break it down. What's one small step you can take today? This could be something as simple as updating your CV, talking to a mentor, or spending an hour researching a new field that interests you. Small actions build momentum and can help you feel more in control.

​3. Redefine 'Success'. For many of us, success is tied to external measures like salary, title, or status. Challenge this narrative. Consider what success means to you on a deeper, more personal level. Does it mean having a better work-life balance? Does it mean feeling fulfilled at the end of the day? Giving yourself permission to redefine success can open up new pathways you hadn't considered before.

​Feeling stuck in your career is not a sign of failure, but a sign that you are ready for a new conversation with yourself. It's a chance to listen to what you really want and create a career that is more aligned with who you are now.

​If this post resonates with you and you'd like support to explore these questions further, I invite you to book a free 30-minute consultation. We can talk about your unique situation and find a way forward together.