Why You Feel Stuck in Your Career (Even If You’re Doing Everything ‘Right’)

Like many Americans, I went to school until I was 22. From elementary school through college, I never really had a clear sense of what I wanted to do professionally.

I was lucky to get hired at my University in Human Resources, which started the next phase of what I was told I was supposed to do - Work for roughly the next 40 years. I started to climb the ladder (yay) and, while I had moments I really enjoyed, by and large I was dissatisfied.

I was so focused on climbing the ladder that I ended up accepting another job (outside the University) that made me so miserable I had thoughts of ending my own life. I was so disillusioned by this life that I had been sold, I couldn’t help thinking to myself that if this was what life was, I didn’t want to live it anymore.

Fortunately, it was around that time that I saw an ad on Instagram that asked “What kind of life coach are you?” I am a sucker for a personality test of any kind, so naturally I took the quiz. What followed was a leap into the world of life coaching.

While I was externally successful in my career in HR, there was always a quiet voice inside of me saying “This isn’t it.” I tried to silence that voice by telling myself “Everyone feels this way”, “It won’t always be like this”, or “This is just how work is - a 4 letter word”. And yet, it persisted.

We are conditioned to believe that work is supposed to be a grind, and that it’s just something you do to facilitate the rest of your life. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? What if your work could truly light you up, be something you are excited to wake up for, and help you make a meaningful contribution to the world?

If you are feeling any of the above, know that you are not alone. About 30% of all U.S. workers in Q4 2025 agree or strongly agree that they “feel stuck” in their current job (Gallup). Can you imagine the possibilities if all of those people actually pursued careers that made them feel more purpose and meaning in their lives?

If you’ve been in a job you hate, you know that your negative attitude does not just stay at work. It permeates every aspect of your life - From your physical and mental health to your relationships. Take a step in the right direction today - Ask yourself:

- What about my current job is making me miserable?

- What might I enjoy doing more, even if it scares me or seems impractical?

- What is one thing I could change to improve my career satisfaction?

If you’re still stuck - I can help. Check out my signature program, Career Metamorphosis - I bet it’s exactly what you need.