8 reasons your career restart isn’t working

Not knowing what you want to do professionally can be incredibly stressful. Especially when you’re unhappy in your current job and feel somehow stuck. You overthink. You compare yourself to others. You feel trapped in your work without being able to clearly explain why.

I know this from my own story and from working with people who are exactly at this point. They’ve done everything “right,” yet they feel that something isn’t right. And when they ask me why they don’t know what they want professionally, I tell them this: it’s almost never about a lack of skills.

It’s because hardly anyone truly takes the time to explore their own needs, values, and potential. Because no one teaches us how. Because we function instead of feel. Because at some point we realize we’re living a life that looks good from the outside but feels wrong on the inside.

Clarity doesn’t come from overthinking. It comes from getting to know yourself better, trying things out, and taking action.

Why a career restart is so difficult

Career changes rarely fail because of a lack of willpower. They fail because of patterns we’ve deeply internalized, often since childhood. Expectations we mistake for our own. Fears that feel real but often have little to do with reality.

The good news: patterns can be recognized. And once you recognize them, you can change them.

In this article, I’ll show you eight reasons why you may feel so directionless and what you can do to finally find a job that makes you look forward to Monday again.

1. Pressure from others and society. Am I really following my own path?

From an early age, we’re shaped by the expectations of our environment. Parents, teachers, friends, and social norms communicate which careers are “right” or “safe.” These expectations influence our decision often before we even have a clear sense of what we actually want.

If you listen too closely to external expectations, you may choose something that doesn’t match your true desires. Later, this can lead to deep dissatisfaction without fully understanding why.

How you can change this:

Ask yourself: Which of your decisions were truly yours? And which did you make to please others? If all expectations disappeared, what would you do tomorrow?

Example:
Samira studied business administration after high school because her parents said it was “something solid.” In reality, she loved languages, biology, sports, and history. She eventually worked in HR at a mid-sized company. It was reasonable but not fulfilling.

One day, she found the courage to train as a personal trainer and nutrition coach. Today, she works independently with women who have health challenges, offers training in multiple languages, and combines sports, languages, and biology. She also uses her business background successfully in her self-employment.

2. Do I even know myself?

In school, hardly anyone prepares us to ask these questions. Many people choose careers or degrees because they were good at certain subjects or because it “made sense.” Or because their best friend chose it too. What we choose at 18 might not say much about who we’ll become later.

Decisions made at a young age can feel like a stamp we only begin to question when doubts grow louder.

How you can change this:

Take regular time for self-reflection. Write down the moments when you feel energized and when your energy is drained. Ask people who know you well what they see as your strengths. And don’t be afraid to try things out: volunteer, attend workshops, explore new interests.

Clarity comes through action, not endless thinking.

When was the last time you seriously asked yourself: What are my real interests and talents? What values matter to me?

Example:
Carlos first completed a banking apprenticeship, then studied economics and ended up in management consulting. It all made sense on paper. But at some point, it no longer felt like his plan. Only years later did he realize he had never truly asked himself who he was.

While he was interested in economic systems, he wanted to work in an environment that creates meaningful impact. Today, he applies his skills in an organization that makes a real difference and finally feels that his contribution matters.

3. Have I ever learned to listen to my own needs?

Some people make decisions based purely on external standards: security, status, income. If you grew up learning to act rationally and efficiently at all times, it may be hard to hear your own inner voice.

But if you never learn to pay attention to your needs, you risk ending up in a life that looks successful on the outside but feels empty within.

How you can change this:

Start small. At the end of each day, ask yourself what brought you joy and what didn’t. Write it down. Take small needs seriously (breaks, variety, creativity). The better you listen to yourself, the clearer your professional direction will become over time.

Example:
Konstantin worked for years in the marketing department of a large corporation. He was reliable and professional but internally unfulfilled. Only when he truly asked himself what he wanted did he realize: out of the office and into nature.

Today, he works as an outdoor educator, leads camps for young people, and combines meaning, adventure, and his joy of working with youth.

4. Am I a multipotentialite or scanner personality?

Some people don’t have just one path. They’re interested in many things, capable in many areas, and quickly bored if they focus on only one field. For so-called multipotentialites, it can be hard to commit to just one direction. They feel at home in many areas and sometimes nowhere entirely.

Instead of seeing this as a problem, recognize it as a gift. If you learn to combine your interests or pursue multiple projects, your versatility can become your greatest strength.

How you can change this:

Stop trying to squeeze yourself into a single mold. You’re allowed to have diverse interests. Celebrate your versatility. Look for ways to combine your passions and no, they don’t all have to happen at once.

Example:
Miriam trained as a carpenter, worked in props for theater and television, loved dogs, and enjoyed speaking in front of people. She later trained as a dog trainer and began working part-time at a dog school next to her job at the theatre. At the same time, she works as a wedding and funeral speaker.

For a long time, she thought she had to choose. Today she knows she doesn’t. And that’s exactly what makes her happy.

5. Lack of role models or mentors. Who can show me the way?

Navigating the jungle of options alone is difficult. Role models and mentors can act as signposts: they open new perspectives, provide feedback, and encourage you to pursue paths you may never have considered.

Without them, it’s easy to feel lost and making decisions out of insecurity or staying stuck because you can’t properly assess your situation.

How you can change this:

Actively look for role models. Read biographies, listen to podcasts, talk to people who’ve taken unconventional paths. Find a mentor who encourages you to think bigger. New perspectives open doors you didn’t even know existed.

Example:
At one point, Konstantin felt trapped in what seemed like a dead-end path. When he met someone at a seminar who offered to mentor him, everything changed. With support, he dared to leave old paths behind and explore new interests. Today, his career aligns much better with his strengths and values.

6. Too many options. How am I supposed to choose?

Never before have there been so many possibilities: countless degree programs, certifications, career changes, and jobs that didn’t even exist ten years ago. It sounds like freedom but often feels overwhelming.

When you endlessly research options, you can fall into analysis paralysis: hours of thinking, no action.

Example:
Laura trained as a physiotherapist but soon realized she wanted something different. She started researching degree programs, job options, and further training. Everything sounded interesting. And that was the problem. In the end, she felt completely blocked and unable to decide.

How you can change this:

Set clear filters. Instead of “everything is possible,” ask: What matters most to me right now freedom, security, creativity, meaning? Consciously narrow your options. Test one direction instead of overanalyzing them all. Involve your body in decision-making: How does option A feel? How does option B feel? What do you learn from that?

7. Following familiar paths. Am I just doing what I know?

We naturally gravitate toward what feels familiar. It gives us security but may prevent us from seeing opportunities outside our immediate environment.

If you only follow paths that are common in your circle, you might choose out of habit rather than conviction.

How you can change this:

Broaden your horizon. Look beyond your family and friends. Attend career fairs, explore new industries, talk to people in completely different professions. You may discover possibilities you never considered.

Example:
Daniel grew up in a family full of teachers and educators. Studying education felt almost automatic. Only years later did he realize he had chosen this path out of familiarity, not passion. Today, he works in a completely different field that aligns far better with his true interests and strengths.

8. Limiting beliefs about work. Am I allowed to enjoy it?

We often carry unconscious beliefs such as: Work must be hard. Work is only for making money. Fun doesn’t belong in a job.

These beliefs restrict us and stop us from seeking work that brings joy. Yet joy is often the key to true fulfillment.

How you can change this:

Realize that beliefs are not facts. They’re often old voices from childhood. Question them: Is this really mine, or did I simply adopt it? Once you understand that work can include joy and meaning, you can start gathering new experiences. Begin small: choose projects or tasks that excite you and expand from there step by step.

Example:
Stefan believed that work equals obligation. So he worked overtime constantly, was stressed, and became increasingly unhappy. Only when he began questioning his beliefs did he realize that work can be lighter, enjoyable, and still successful. Today, he works in a company with a culture that fits him, in a field that truly inspires him.

Conclusion

You now know the eight reasons why it can be so difficult to find your own professional path: from external expectations and multipotentiality to limiting beliefs that unconsciously hold you back.

The good news: none of these reasons are permanent. None of them make a fresh start impossible. They simply show you where you can begin.

The first step is the hardest.

If you’d like support on this journey I am here. I am someone who encourages you, gives honest feedback, and helps you gain clarity feel free to book a free introductory call. Let’s explore together how I can support you in finding a job that truly fits you and fulfills you.