Career Clarity: Why You Feel Stuck and How to Get Unstuck [2025 UPDATED]

 

In Singapore today, many professionals find themselves asking a simple but heavy question: What’s next for my career?

Career clarity means having a clear sense of where you are, where you want to go, and the steps to get there. Without it, work can feel like going through the motions—competent on the outside, but uncertain on the inside.

Feeling stuck doesn’t always show up as failure or unhappiness. It might look like being unchallenged in a stable role, doubting your own value despite achievements, or carrying silent burnout in a fast-paced workplace. For some, it’s knowing they’re capable of more but not seeing the path forward.

The longer this uncertainty lingers, the more challenging it feels to move. But a change in Singapore’s career landscape doesn’t always mean quitting or retraining. Small, focused actions, paired with support, can create meaningful progress. That’s where career coaching helps: a space to think clearly, test ideas, and design the next step with confidence.

Why You Might Be Feeling Stuck in Your Career

Feeling stuck usually creeps in over time. It can come from unclear goals, burnout, or fear of change—leaving you in a role that feels safe but not satisfying.

1. Unclear Career Goals

One of the biggest reasons for feeling stuck is unclear goals. When your goals aren’t clear, it’s easy to feel like you’re drifting aimlessly. Without a clear direction, you may find yourself taking on work that doesn’t excite you or staying in roles that feel "safe" but not fulfilling.

Sometimes, promotions come with more responsibilities but less satisfaction because they’re not aligned with your deeper interests or values. When this happens, it’s easy to take action just for the sake of it—but this often leads to frustration, not fulfilment.

2. Burnout

Sometimes, feeling stuck is just burnout in disguise. When you’re exhausted — mentally, physically, or emotionally — it’s hard to tell if you’re unmotivated or simply running on empty.

In today’s Singapore, burnout isn’t rare. A recent report shows 61 % of Singaporean workers say they feel burnt out. That’s not a personal shortcoming, but it reflects deep, widespread pressure.

You might care about your work but feel drained from constant deadlines, juggling priorities, or not feeling valued despite your efforts. In this state, you might overcommit or try to push through, hoping to reignite your passion.

Without addressing the root cause, though, fatigue and burnout deepen, leaving you feeling more stuck and disconnected.

3. Fear of Change

At The Happy Mondays Co., we often meet professionals who know deep down they need to make a change but feel held back by fear.

Stepping into the unknown can feel overwhelming.

“What if it doesn’t work out?”

“What if it’s worse than where I am now?”

This fear can keep you in situations that no longer serve you — whether that’s staying in an unfulfilling role or avoiding opportunities that align with your aspirations.

Fear of change is natural because our brains are wired to prefer safety and predictability. Even when a role is unfulfilling, the familiarity feels less risky than stepping into something new. This fear often disguises itself as “waiting for the right time,” but in reality, it keeps you from exploring better opportunities.

We see this all the time. Talented individuals feel stuck, not because they lack options, but because fear keeps them from taking the first step.

4. The Mid-Career Plateau and Financial Pressures in Singapore

For many mid-career professionals in Singapore, stability can quietly turn into a plateau. The role feels secure, but growth and excitement fade.

Financial pressures add another layer. Housing loans, CPF commitments, and family expenses make change feel risky, even when you know you’ve outgrown your role.

This mix of plateau and pressure keeps many professionals stuck. It's not because they lack ambition, but because the cost of change feels heavier than staying the same.

How to Get Unstuck

Feeling stuck in your career can feel like running on a treadmill—you’re moving, but you’re not getting anywhere. It’s frustrating, and the longer it lasts, the harder it feels to break free. The good news? Here’s how to shift from feeling stuck to building forward movement.

1. Pinpoint Your Career Stage

Sometimes we’re so focused on "where we want to be" that we lose sight of where we actually are. Taking stock of your current situation is the first step toward getting unstuck.

Ask yourself:

• What’s working in my current role? What’s not working?
• Do I feel challenged and valued in my work? If not, what’s missing?
• Have I outgrown my current role, or is there still room for growth here?

It’s like opening Google Maps and seeing the “You Are Here” marker. Without knowing your starting point, it’s hard to plot a path forward. This reflection helps you spot the friction points that may be holding you back.

2. Identify Your Career Drivers

Your career drivers are the key motivators that influence your work decisions. Not everyone’s drivers are the same. For some, it’s about growth and development. For others, it’s about flexibility or purpose.

Common drivers include:

• Autonomy: Do you want more control over your work and decision-making?
• Growth: Are you driven by continuous learning and development?
• Recognition: Do you feel motivated when your contributions are acknowledged?
• Impact: Does it matter to you that your work has a larger purpose or makes a difference?
• Stability: Do you value consistency, predictability, or financial security in your work life?

Once you’re clear on what’s driving you, you’ll be able to spot roles, companies, or opportunities that better align with those drivers. Sometimes, you don’t need to leave your job—you just need to shift your focus within it.

3. Define Your North Star

While career drivers push you forward, your North Star guides you in the right direction. It’s not about having a five-year plan; it’s about knowing what you’re aiming for.

Here’s how to define yours:

• Look ahead: What’s one thing you’d regret not pursuing in your career?
• Define your "Why": Why are you in this field, and what impact do you want to make?
• Clarify the feeling: When you think about a "dream role," or what we like to call Your Happy Mondays, what does it feel like? Is it calm, exciting, or fulfilling?

Your North Star doesn’t have to be ultra-specific (like "I want to be a CFO by 2026"). It’s more like a guiding principle. It’s a compass that helps you choose between options and assess whether an opportunity moves you closer to the career you want.

Want to align your career with what truly drives you?

Explore our Career Therapy™ Service—a unique blend of coaching, counselling, and psychotherapy designed to help you make sustainable changes, find fulfillment, and lead a happier, healthier life.

4. Create an Action Plan

When you’re feeling stuck, big changes can feel overwhelming. The key is to focus on small, manageable steps that build toward larger accomplishments.

Rather than aiming for an overnight career overhaul, focus on actionable steps aligned with your North Star. These small wins gradually restore confidence and energy.

Here’s how to start:

• Break down your goals: Instead of "Find a new job," focus on bite-sized steps, like "Update my LinkedIn summary" or "Reach out to two people in my network this week."
• Start with quick wins: Take action on things that don’t require a lot of effort but give you a sense of progress.
• Track progress, not perfection: Every small win counts. Even one email sent or one page of your CV updated is progress.

Our career coaching services help you create a personalised action plan. Together, we break down your goals into manageable tasks — whether that’s updating your resume, exploring new learning opportunities, or networking with professionals in your field.

Every step builds momentum, even when progress feels slow. Our holistic coaching empowers you to take control, creating a sense of accomplishment and progress with every decision.

5. Get an Accountability Partner

One of the best ways to stay on track is to have someone who holds you accountable. Whether it’s a mentor, peer, or coach, an accountability partner helps you stay focused and motivated.

They’ll challenge you to stick to your action plan and provide encouragement when obstacles arise.

Take Sarah (name changed), for example. She was a mid-career marketing professional feeling stuck and unsure of her next move. Partnering with a coach, she broke down her goals into small wins like gaining clarity for next steps, updating her professional narrative and building her network. With weekly check-ins, she stayed focused, and soon enough, she found a new role that aligned with her values and long-term goals.

What’s Next?

Career clarity isn’t about having every answer right now. It’s about knowing where you stand, what drives you, and the direction you want to move toward. By taking small, intentional steps, you can shift from feeling stuck to building a purposeful and sustainable career.

Ready to get unstuck?

At The Happy Mondays Co., we help professionals in Singapore gain career clarity, define their North Star, and take action with confidence. If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and start moving forward, book a free call with our coaches today.