Using Career Realignment When You Feel Stuck
- Rene Normand
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
You’re not unmotivated… you’re not lazy... but somehow you’ve been feeling stuck in your career.

Maybe you just need one more HubSpot certification, or you should work more hours for the promotion you used to want so badly but aren’t sure about anymore. You feel all alone as co-workers, friends, and family seem to be advancing in their careers but you stay in limbo.
Sound familiar? The good news is, if any of those descriptions hit close to home, you’re not alone. Many of us have felt at one time or another that life is passing us by. Recent research by Glassdoor reveals that up to 65% of people feel “stuck” in their current jobs.
Feeling stuck in your career is like waking up in a life you didn’t choose but don’t quite know how to change. Maybe your job drains you more than it excites you. Maybe you’re good at what you do, but it no longer seems to align with who you are. Or maybe you just have a quiet (or loud) voice inside whispering, “This isn’t what I hoped for my life.”
Here’s the good news: being stuck isn’t a dead end. It’s a signal. Now more than ever, individuals in the workforce are taking steps to reevaluate and pursue their goals, even if it means sacrifice. The same Glassdoor study found that employees were making more lateral moves and accepting pay cuts to take roles that aligned with their goals.
So how do you know if you’re ready for a career change? Reflect on the following.
Consider your current role
When you're stuck, it’s hard to tell what’s wrong, let alone how to fix it. Coaching helps you pause, zoom out, and identify what you want. Looking at the bigger picture first requires you to examine where you currently are. Ask yourself what matters most to you in your current role, what is missing from it, and where you want to go next (even if this is more abstract).
Reconnect with what gives you life
It’s easy to lose touch with your passions and strengths when you’re in the trenches of your day-to-day routine. Take time considering what tasks and responsibilities energize you, what you are naturally talented at, and what kind of work feels meaningful to you. Draw from your experience not only in your current role but also any volunteer work, personal responsibilities (parent, caregiver, etc.), and any previous experience.

Break the loop of overthinking
If you’ve been stuck in your head, second-guessing every idea or possibility, you’re not alone. Coaching helps you break the cycle of overthinking and start taking intentional steps forward. It’s not about making a massive leap but about building momentum with clarity and purpose one step at a time.
Create a path that feels like yours
So many of us build careers based on what we think we should do, what looks good on paper, or what others expect. Work to peel back those layers and design a path that reflects your values, your vision, and the life you want to live – not the life someone else expects you to live.
Build the confidence to make a change
Being stuck often comes with fear - fear of failure, uncertainty, or starting over. Coaching helps you build confidence from the inside out, challenge beliefs, and move forward with both courage and commitment. Change doesn’t have to be fearful, it can be invigorating!
Remember, you don’t have to figure it out alone
You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need a safe space to explore the questions. Career coaching offers guidance, structure, and encouragement—someone in your corner who sees your potential even when you're still reconnecting with it yourself.
You’re not lost – you simply took a detour and know that it’s time to realign. Ready to find your way forward? Let’s discover the career path that’s right for you together.
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