You’re ambitious, driven, and capable—but lately, you’ve felt stuck. Feeling stuck in your career can be frustrating and exhausting. You may find yourself questioning if your job aligns with your dreams or overall life goals. You’re not lazy or unmotivated; you’re simply missing something deeper: purpose. The good news? Purpose isn’t something you magically find one day—it’s lying dormant within you. And you have the power to take steps that bring you closer to a career that excites you.
The path to discovering your purpose is not always quick or simple. It is a journey that can transform your life. Here are 20 practical steps to help you reignite your passion and find fulfilment.
1. Feeling Stuck in Your Career? Reflect on Your Values
Reflect on what truly matters to you. List your top five core values, such as honesty, creativity, or teamwork. Ask yourself how these values align with your current situation.
For instance, if creativity is a core value but your job feels too rigid, it might be time to explore more creative career options.
If you find it hard to identify your true values, you can have a session with a coach or read my blog on how to discover your values in a fun way. Values act as your internal compass. Identify the principles that guide your decisions, such as creativity, connection, freedom, or service, and look for ways to align your life with them.
Think about the activities, conversations, or topics that energise you. What makes you feel alive? These moments often hold clues to what truly matters to you.
2. Ask: What Problems Do I Feel Deeply Called to Solve?
Purpose often lies in the intersection of what you care about and what the world needs. Identify the challenges or causes you feel drawn to, whether it’s empowering others, supporting mental health, or addressing inequality.
3. Explore New Skills
Feeling stagnant often comes from being stuck in a routine. Look into online platforms like Skillshare or Coursera and choose a new course that excites you.
Whether it's coding, photography, or public speaking, learning a new skill can rekindle your enthusiasm and open doors to potential career changes.
Think About What You Loved Doing as a Child? Childhood passions can reveal hidden desires or talents that have been buried under the responsibilities of adulthood. Revisit those memories and see if they still spark joy.
4. Create a Vision Board
Visualising your ideal life can help you identify what truly matters to you. Use images, quotes, and symbols that represent your dreams, and let them guide your next steps. Visual tools can help clarify your goals.
Studies show that visualisation can enhance motivation. Seeing your goals daily helps keep them at the forefront of your mind.
5. Seek Inspiration from Others
Surrounding yourself with positive, purpose-driven individuals can reignite your passion and motivate you to pursue your goals. Their energy and stories can be contagious. Attend local meet-ups or join online communities related to your interests.
Hearing stories from others who have successfully transitioned in their careers can provide motivation and fresh ideas for your journey.
6. Take a Break From Overthinking and Just Be
Sometimes, clarity comes when you stop forcing it. Take time to rest, meditate, or spend quiet moments in nature. Allowing your mind to reset can create the space needed for inspiration to flow.
Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Whether it's exercising three times per week or spending 20 minutes daily meditating, prioritize activities that recharge you.
Research shows that self-care can increase productivity by up to 20%, helping you approach your career changes with energy and enthusiasm.
7. Revisit Times When You Felt Fulfilled—What Were You Doing?
Think back to moments of fulfillment in your personal or professional life. What activities or achievements brought you the greatest sense of satisfaction? These moments often point to your deeper "why."
Starting a journal can be enlightening. Dedicate time each week to write down your thoughts on your career and life's direction.
This practice enhances self-awareness and can help you identify recurring themes in your emotions, guiding you toward what you truly want.
8. Network with Purpose
Speak to people whose work inspires you. Reach out to individuals whose careers or lives resonate with you. Learning about their journeys can provide valuable insights and help you see new opportunities for your own path.
Networking is key not just for job opportunities but also for finding like-minded individuals. Reach out to people in industries that interest you and ask for informational interviews.
These conversations can provide valuable insights about potential career shifts and could lead to unexpected opportunities.
9. Volunteer for Causes You Care About
Volunteering can connect you to your passions while making a positive impact. Choose organizations that align with your interests, like animal shelters for animal lovers or local education programs for those passionate about teaching.
Volunteering can help you build skills and networks that may lead to career opportunities.
10. Ask Yourself: If I Wasn’t Afraid, What Would I Pursue?
Fear often clouds our sense of purpose. Imagine a life where fear wasn’t a factor—what would you do? Let this question guide you toward possibilities you might not have considered.
Reframe how you view failures. Instead of seeing them as setbacks, view failures as stepping stones to success.
For instance, if you applied for your dream job and were rejected, consider what you learned from the experience to improve your future applications.
11. Try Something New—Curiosity Leads to Clarity
If you’re feeling stuck, exploring new activities or interests can help you uncover hidden passions. Whether it’s a pottery class, hiking, or joining a book club, new experiences can spark fresh ideas about your purpose.
Stepping outside your comfort zone is crucial for growth. Challenge yourself to try something new, even if it feels intimidating.
This could mean joining a public speaking group, attending a workshop, or applying for a role with different responsibilities than you currently hold.
12. Focus on the Impact You Want to Have on Others
Purpose is often tied to contribution. Ask yourself how you want to make a difference in the lives of others. Whether it’s inspiring, teaching, or supporting, this focus can bring clarity.
Think about how you want to be remembered. What impact do you want your life to have on others? This perspective can help you identify the contributions that matter most to you.
13. Find a Mentor
A mentor can be invaluable in your journey. Look for someone with experience in the field you’re interested in.
Their guidance can help you avoid common pitfalls and connect you with resources you may not find on your own.
14. Design a Plan for Career Change
After gaining clarity on your goals, create a step-by-step plan to reach them. Break down your goals into small actions you can take each week.
If you want to switch to a new field, outline research, networking, and skill-building activities that lead you toward that goal.
15. Celebrate Small Wins
Recognise and celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. Create a weekly ritual to reflect on your progress.
For example, if you completed a course or attended a networking event, reward yourself with a treat or a day off to recharge.
Reflect on your challenges—how could they fuel your purpose? Your struggles can be a powerful source of purpose. Think about how overcoming adversity has shaped your perspective and how you can use those experiences to help others.
16. Stay Open-Minded
Remain receptive to new opportunities. Sometimes, exploring unexpected paths can lead to fulfilling discoveries.
You might find joy in an area you had never considered before, such as a new hobby that could evolve into a career.
17. Seek Professional Guidance
Working with a career coach or a hypnotherapist can provide personalised support. They can help you develop a strategy tailored to your unique needs and goals as well as help you identify what is holding you back.
You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Allow yourself to try new things, make mistakes, and pivot as needed. Purpose isn’t fixed—it grows with you.
18. Trust Your Instincts
Your gut feelings can guide you in your career journey. Pay attention to what your instincts tell you about opportunities or changes.
Intuitive decision-making can lead to satisfying and aligned choices more often than not.
19. Limit Exposure to Negativity
Create a positive environment. This includes unfollowing negative social media accounts, avoiding toxic individuals, and consuming uplifting content.
Surrounding yourself with positivity can strengthen your confidence and enhance your motivation.
20. Embrace the Journey
Finally, understand that finding your purpose is a process. Embrace each step and enjoy the journey of self-discovery.
Purpose isn’t a single destination or career title. It’s a mindset, a way of living with intention and meaning. You create it in the choices you make, the relationships you nurture, and the way you approach each day.
Your purpose will evolve, and that flexibility should be celebrated as part of your growth.
A Way to Move Forward in Your Career and Discover Your Purpose
Feeling stuck is a common challenge faced by many professional women, especially in their 30s. By actively exploring your passions and creating a sense of purpose, you can break free from stagnation and transform your career.
This journey calls for courage, self-reflection, and resilience. The rewards that come with a more purposeful life are endless. Start today, and you will find the vibrant, passionate life you've always dreamed of!
Ready to dive deeper and uncover your purpose? Book a consultation today, and let’s explore what lights you up and how to align your life with it.
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