Career Clarity: Why You Feel Stuck and How to Get Unstuck

Feeling stuck in your career is more common than you think. It could be a sense of monotony, a lack of growth, or uncertainty about your next step. But being “stuck” doesn’t always look like unhappiness. It might feel like being unchallenged, doubting your skills, or feeling out of sync with your purpose. For some, it's quiet knowing that they’re capable of more but unsure how to reach it. For others, it’s burnout from being stretched too thin.

The longer you stay stuck, the harder it feels to make a change. But here’s the good news: change doesn’t have to be dramatic. You don’t have to start over or go back to school. Small, focused steps can lead to big career shifts. That’s where career coaching comes in. It offers a supportive space to explore challenges, clarify your purpose, and design a way forward.

Why You Might Be Feeling Stuck

1. Unclear 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 fulfillment.

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.

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, burnout deepens, 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.

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.

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 Where You Are

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 personalized 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 having 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?

Feeling stuck doesn’t have to be permanent. By taking small, intentional steps, you can regain momentum, find clarity, and move toward a career that aligns with your values and aspirations.

Ready to get unstuck?

Our career coaches are here to help you uncover your North Star, create a plan, and take the first step toward your Happy Mondays. Book a free call today!