12 - Feeling Stuck in Your Career? Find the Path to Passion and Purpose.

Have you ever woken up, looked in the mirror, and wondered, "How did I get here?" Over the past few years, I've had countless conversations with friends, colleagues, and clients who have expressed similar sentiments. They feel stuck in their careers, unsure of how to move forward or regain their sense of purpose and passion. If you're feeling this way, know that you're not alone, and there are strategies to help you get unstuck.

Common Reasons Why People Feel Stuck: 

• Lack of Purpose or Passion: One of the primary reasons people feel stuck is a disconnect between their work and their passions. Without a sense of purpose, it can be challenging to stay motivated and engaged.
• Career Burnout: Prolonged stress and overwork can lead to burnout, making it difficult to feel enthusiastic about your job.
• Limited Growth Opportunities: If there are few opportunities for advancement or skill development within your current role, it can lead to feelings of stagnation.
• Fear of Change: Change is daunting, and the fear of the unknown often keeps people stuck in unfulfilling jobs.
• External Pressure: Societal or family expectations can sometimes push individuals into careers that aren't aligned with their true selves, leading to dissatisfaction.

A few years ago, I felt all of these! COVID had taken its toll on me professionally, and I was spending so much money on childcare rather than spending precious time with my children. Yes, being the Managing Director of an organisation was incredible, but it was tough through that time.

I also had no growth opportunities. Throughout my whole career I had been driven towards “the next thing”, whether it was a promotion, experience or qualification, but I realised my options were now limited. Being a single mum at the time was also challenging, and I was worried about making a change.

Until, one day I had enough. It is a horrible story to tell, but one that I remind myself of often. My son was about four and a half years old and because of work and co-parenting, I didn’t get much quality time with him. I had got home from work one evening, and after he had been playing outside I had asked him to come in. He got really cross with me and threw his shoe at my head. Despite being in the middle of reading a parenting book which specifically talked about bringing your children closer and not isolating them in high tension times (as they are often looking for comfort) I told him that if he did that again he would go to his room. 

So he took off the other shoe and threw it at me. 

As I told him to go to his room, he got very cross, turned, accidentally hit his head on the door frame and cut it open. There was blood everywhere. I was mortified. How did things get to be like this? I knew something needed to change, and that change needed to come from me. The next day I walked into work and resigned.

(Working together to build a shed)

Today, I have an amazing relationship with both of my children, and I am reminded of that moment every time I see the scar on my son's head. I am proud of the career changes I have made in my life since that day. I now prioritise being able to have dinner with my children, being at key events such as sports days, and finding precious time for myself and my relationship. 

I have also been curious about the charity sector, and made the conscious decision to become a trustee of a charity I am passionate about, along with being a board Director of a local organisation that strives to support companies in the aerospace industry in the South West of England (West of England Aerospace Forum 'WEAF' blog picture above) - both of which I love and get immense satisfaction from. 

I spent a lot of time reflecting on what I wanted in life, and it took a long time, lots of research, and a lot of investment in training to realise what my dream life would look like. And then began the process of building a strategy to achieve it and taking positive forward action. 

No one deserves to feel stuck or trapped. We should all look forward to each day that we are alive, and yes there will still be stressful days but living a life of purpose and joy makes it all worthwhile. 

Do you love what you do? Are you living your life purposefully, or are you merely exchanging your time for money to pay the bills? 

Here are some tips to help you get unstuck:

• Self-Reflection: Take some time to reflect on what truly matters to you. What are your passions? What are your strengths? Sometimes, writing these down can provide clarity and direction.
• Set SMART Goals: Define Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound goals. Having clear, attainable objectives can reignite your sense of purpose and provide a roadmap for your career. Think of short, mid and long term goals. 
• Invest in Skill Development: Sometimes, feeling stuck stems from a lack of growth. Identify skills that are valuable in your industry or in a new area that interests you and find ways to learn and practice them. This can open up new opportunities and boost your confidence.
• Network and Seek Mentorship: Connect with professionals in your field or desired field. Mentors can provide guidance, share experiences, and offer advice on navigating career transitions.
• Consider a Career Change: If your current path doesn’t align with your values or passions, it might be time to consider a change. This doesn’t necessarily mean starting from scratch – it might be a shift within your industry to a role that better suits you.
• Seek Professional Help: Sometimes, talking to a career coach or counselor can provide new perspectives and strategies tailored to your specific situation.

As you work through these strategies, you'll likely find that your path becomes clearer and more aligned with your true self. I am a huge advocate of journalling to help get those thoughts out of your head and onto paper. They don’t need to make sense, but the process of writing them helps you to process your thoughts. Check out the resources page of my website for 50 journalling prompts that you can use to get started. 

For those who are ready to dive deeper, I have developed a comprehensive course designed to help you find career clarity. This course provides tools, exercises, and support to help you understand your passions, set meaningful goals, and create a fulfilling career path. 

Ensure you are signed up for notifications so you don't miss out on the course launch and special offers, there will be limited spaces and I don’t want you to miss out!

Remember, feeling stuck is a common experience, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. By taking proactive steps, you can regain control of your career and move towards a more satisfying and purposeful professional life.

Always with love, 

Elsa x