Feeling Trapped in Your Career? Here's What to Do
Are you feeling trapped in your career, uncertain about the next step, or questioning your current path? If so, you're not alone. Many of us feel like this from time to time (especially at the start of the year when the fresh start you hoped for has not revealed itself in your current role or work).
Its something I have personal experience of, on multiple occasions throughout my career actually! And what surprised me the most recently was that I realised working for myself did not make me immune to these feelings. In fact, ironically I think I felt them even more keenly of late, questioning some of my choices and wondering how to move forward…
If you're resonating with the feelings of being trapped in your career, today's post is specifically crafted for you. Firstly, let's discuss the common factors that may contribute to feeling stuck in your career.
Identifying the Traps
Trap 1 - lack of challenge but unsure what would be more interesting or enjoyable
The professionals I work with (those with backgrounds in research, data analysis, or problem-solving type careers) often encounter this challenge when the current role no longer presents a sufficient challenge. Expertise in a particular area is certainly valuable, especially for your company (not to mention your ego) but the flip side is lack of energising challenges may lead to feelings of monotony and demotivation - so you feel stuck.
Trap 2 - drained from your day job, little energy to explore (let alone make changes)
Secondly, the people who I support tend to be experienced in their careers, they are leading teams, holding senior roles with significant client facing and team management responsibilities. The stressors associated with these roles can quickly feel like your time is not your own, and your focus is constantly pulled from one “fire-fighting incident” to another. And if you are anything like me, with a tendency to occasionally people-please, this one is even more critical as you give so much to others, you likely feel you don’t have the energy to think about yourself and your career - so you feel stuck
Trap 3 - well paid work gives a certain lifestyle - but you’re missing a sense of purpose
Thirdly, feeling trapped in your career can also stem from a lack of alignment with your values and aspirations. While the work may be satisfactory, it may not provide the fulfillment or impact you desire. Balancing the desire for meaningful work with financial stability can create a dilemma that contributes to feelings of being stuck.
And when ALL those factors intertwine - it can feel even harder to unpick!
Shifting from a mindset of feeling trapped to one of empowerment requires self-awareness, clarity, and action.
When I made changes in my own career in the past, I often looked at these elements in isolation. Yet now having worked through the process of making pretty major adjustments a few times over (and supporting clients to do the same), they are often inter-linked - and that complexity in itself can contribute to the overwhelm and procrastination, because where do you start!?
The truth is YOU need to own the process, as Mel Robbins likes to say “no one is coming to save you!”
Practical Steps for Change
Breaking free from feeling trapped in your career fundamentally requires knowing where you are headed, and in my experience involves a process of
assessing where you are today
exploring the factors making you feel stuck
dreaming of new alternatives
figuring out some practicalities of how to make it work in your life
defining where you are headed
AND, critically, taking action
and then repeating the process and course-correcting as needed...
This type of process essentially takes you from the messy web if ideas, doubts and limiting beliefs through to clarity on where you are headed and what makes that important for you. And of course you can do it on your own, but my clients tell me that its more rapid, enjoyable and successful when they have some guidance along the way.
Define your new destination
If you find yourself describing the long list of things you DON’T want and staying stuck where you are, imagine if you got clear on what you DO want from your dream career destination?!
How much easier (and more fun) would it be, to explain to others exactly what you are aiming for (and why), so you can ask for their help to get there, or to research the steps you need to make that transition, or start reading up about inspiring people in your new field to motivate you further?
If you're ready to redefine your career and take the first courageous step toward a more meaningful and joyful path, I would love to help.
My programme Elevate Your Path guides you to do just that in 90 days or less - you can learn more about it here