Feeling stuck at work? Here’s how to get unstuck

Let’s be honest: there’s nothing quite like the soul-sucking dread of a job you’ve outgrown. Monday morning rolls around, and instead of feeling fired up, you’re dragging your feet, wondering how you got here. That spark you once had? Long gone. Now, every day feels like a grind, and the worst part? You have no idea how to break free.

If this hits close to home, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: being stuck isn’t a life sentence. You can move forward, one step at a time, and it starts with understanding what’s really keeping you glued to your seat.

Understanding the stuck mindset

Being stuck at work isn’t just about hating your job, it’s a whole mindset. It’s the mental quicksand that whispers, “But what if it’s worse somewhere else?” or, “What will people think if I leave?” Fear of the unknown is a master manipulator, convincing you to settle for what’s familiar, even if it’s draining the life out of you.

Let’s not sugarcoat it: staying stuck has a cost. It chips away at your happiness, impacts your health (hello, sleepless nights and stress headaches), and leaves your career stagnating. The longer you stay, the harder it feels to imagine anything different. And that’s exactly why it’s time to shake things up.

As Steve Jobs famously said:
"The only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work, and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking, and don't settle."
Let that sink in. Loving what you do isn’t some fluffy fantasy, it’s the key to living a life that feels worth waking up for.

Small steps to gain clarity

So, how do you figure out what’s next when everything feels like a big, confusing mess? Start small. Forget about having the “perfect plan” or a crystal-clear vision of your dream job. This phase is all about exploring and getting curious.

Exercise 1: What’s Not Working?

Grab a pen and paper and get brutally honest. Write down everything about your current role that drains you. Is it the endless emails? The lack of creative freedom? The micromanaging boss? Knowing what’s not working is the first step to figuring out what will.

Exercise 2: What Lights You Up?

Now flip the script. Think about the moments when you’ve felt truly alive, whether at work or in your personal life. What were you doing? What skills were you using? What environment were you in? These clues are gold for uncovering what you really want.

The power of curiosity

Here’s the thing: you don’t have to figure it all out at once. Start by exploring what excites you, without the pressure to make it your new career (yet). Always loved baking? Take a weekend class. Curious about graphic design? Watch a few tutorials.

The goal isn’t to have all the answers, it’s to create momentum. And trust me, curiosity is contagious. The more you follow those breadcrumbs of interest, the more ideas will start flowing.

Building momentum toward change

Clarity doesn’t come from endless overthinking. It comes from action. But that doesn’t mean you have to quit your job tomorrow and dive headfirst into the unknown. The magic lies in taking small, imperfect steps.

Step 1: Test the Waters

Before you leap, dip a toe in. Volunteer for a project outside your department, take on a freelance gig, or shadow someone in a field that intrigues you. These experiments are low-risk but high-reward. They’ll help you figure out what excites you and what doesn’t.

Step 2: Build Your Confidence

Every small step you take builds momentum. Update your resume, reach out to someone in your network for an informational chat, or set up a LinkedIn profile that reflects the direction you want to go. These actions aren’t just practical. They’re confidence boosters.

Step 3: Remember, It’s a Process

Change is messy, and it’s rarely linear. Some days, you’ll feel like you’re making huge strides. Other days, you might feel like you’re back at square one. That’s normal. Keep going. As long as you’re taking steps forward, you’re moving in the right direction.

Trust the journey

The hardest part of change is starting. But here’s the thing: the first step doesn’t have to be huge. It just has to happen. Maybe it’s making a list of what excites you. Maybe it’s sending an email to a mentor. Whatever it is, do it.

And remember Steve Jobs’ words:
"If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking, and don’t settle."
Because settling isn’t just about your job it’s about your life. You deserve to wake up on Mondays excited, not defeated. You deserve work that feels meaningful and aligned with who you are.

So take that first step. The rest will follow. And if you need a nudge (or a cheerleader), you know where to find me. Let’s get you unstuck and moving toward a career - and a life - that truly lights you up.