Feeling Stuck In Your Career? 5 Top Lessons Learned From a Career Counsellor and Experienced Career Pivoter

Feeling Stuck In Your Career?

5 Top Lessons Learned From a Career Counsellor and Experienced Career Pivoter

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your computer screen, questioning your career choices, or feeling like you’re just going through the motions, you’re not alone. Career stagnation is a common experience, especially in a world that constantly pushes us to achieve more, move faster, and keep up with ever-shifting expectations. But feeling stuck doesn’t have to be a permanent state. Over years of career counselling and personal pivots, I’ve discovered several lessons that can help you break free from unfulfillment and move toward a more fulfilling professional life.

Below, I share the top five lessons that have transformed not only my own career but also the journeys of many clients. If you’re ready to get unstuck, these insights can help you take meaningful steps forward.

1. Getting Support in Your Career Will Help You Much Faster Than Overthinking Things on Your Own

One of the most common traps I see people fall into is the cycle of overthinking. It’s easy to get stuck in your own head, analyzing every possible scenario, worrying about making the “wrong” move, or waiting for the perfect moment. The truth? Overthinking rarely leads to clarity.

Seeking support, whether from a career counsellor, mentor, coach, or supportive community, can accelerate your growth. When you talk things through with someone who has experience or an outside perspective, you gain insights you might never reach alone.

Support provides:

• Accountability to take action instead of just planning
• New perspectives that challenge your assumptions
• Encouragement when you’re feeling uncertain
• Practical strategies tailored to your unique situation

Many clients have told me, “I wish I’d reached out for help sooner.” Don’t let pride or fear get in your way. Growth is an investment, and you don’t have to do it alone.

2. Letting Your Curiosity Lead You Will Always Lead to Something Great

Curiosity is one of the most underrated drivers of career satisfaction. When you let curiosity guide your decisions, you open yourself up to possibilities you may never have considered. This means:

• Exploring new industries or roles, even if they seem unconventional
• Asking questions and seeking out people who inspire you
• Taking on projects or learning opportunities that spark your interest

Curiosity keeps your career journey dynamic and engaging. It helps you move beyond “shoulds” and towards what genuinely excites you. I’ve seen clients discover hidden passions and talents simply by following what piques their interest, rather than sticking to a rigid plan.

When you approach your career with curiosity, you give yourself permission to experiment, fail, and learn. Each step, even if it doesn’t lead to your dream job right away, brings you closer to discovering what truly lights you up.

3. Your Career Path Is a Journey, Not a Destination

Many of us grow up believing that career success is a straight line: choose a field, climb the ladder, and eventually arrive at a place of fulfillment. In reality, career paths are rarely linear. They’re full of twists, turns, setbacks, and unexpected opportunities.

Understanding your career as a journey allows you to:

• Embrace detours as learning experiences
• Reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth
• Recognize that it’s normal for your interests and values to evolve

Instead of fixating on a single endpoint, focus on the process. Celebrate progress, however small, and remain open to change. Sometimes, the most rewarding opportunities come from paths you never planned to take.

Remember: Growth isn’t about achieving one static goal. It’s about continual learning, adapting, and aligning your work with your evolving sense of purpose.

4. Helping Others Authentically in Your Career Raises Your Frequency to Receive Opportunities

It might sound counterintuitive, but some of the greatest career breakthroughs happen when you shift your focus from yourself to others. When you help colleagues, mentor newcomers, or contribute to your community without expecting anything in return, you:

• Build genuine relationships and expand your network
• Gain new skills and perspectives
• Increase your visibility and reputation as a collaborator

Opportunities often arise when you least expect them—sometimes from people you’ve helped in the past. Authentic generosity creates a ripple effect. The more you give, the more you receive, whether it’s in the form of referrals, recommendations, or unexpected job offers.

Helping others also brings a sense of fulfillment and meaning, which can reignite your own passion for your work.

5. Taking Action Will Help You Reframe Your Career Fears

Fear is a natural part of any major career decision. Fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of making the wrong move—it can all be anxiety inducing. But the antidote to fear is action.

Taking even small steps forward, updating your resume, reaching out to a connection, signing up for a course, can shift your mindset from anxiety to empowerment. Action:

• Breaks the cycle of rumination and self-doubt
• Builds confidence through real-world feedback
• Helps you gather information and clarify your goals

Many clients discover that the reality of change is far less daunting than the fear they built up in their minds. Each action, no matter how small, is a vote of confidence in yourself and your ability to navigate uncertainty.

Bonus Lesson:

Allowing Yourself to Dream Big + Taking Small, Targeted Action Leads to Big Results

Dreaming big is important, but it’s the combination of vision and incremental action that creates real momentum. Give yourself permission to imagine what’s possible, even if it feels out of reach right now. Then, break your vision down into manageable steps.

• Set bold, inspiring goals for your career
• Identify the smallest action you can take today to move closer to those goals
• Celebrate each milestone, no matter how minor

Over time, these small actions compound, leading to significant shifts in your career and your sense of what’s possible. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or for all the stars to align. Start where you are, with what you have, and trust that each step forward matters.

Final Reflections

Feeling stuck in your career is not a sign of failure; it’s a signal that you’re ready for growth. By seeking support, embracing curiosity, viewing your career as a journey, helping others, and taking action, you can move from stagnation to momentum. And when you allow yourself to dream big while taking small, consistent steps, you set the stage for breakthroughs you never imagined possible.

If you’re feeling stuck, remember: you don’t have to figure it out alone. Reach out, get curious, and take that first step; your future self will thank you.