Feeling Stuck at Your Career Goals? How to Move Forward with Clarity and Purpose

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started"

Mark Twain

We all experience moments in our careers where we feel stuck. This feeling can come in many forms—uncertainty about the next step, frustration with a lack of progress, or even a deeper sense of misalignment with our current work. The good news? There are just as many ways to grow as there are ways to feel stuck. The key is to remain proactive, visualize your goals, and take intentional steps forward.

One of the most effective ways to break free from stagnation is by setting clear, visualized goals. When you create a vivid mental picture of where you want to be, it becomes easier to chart a path forward. But how do you begin this process? First of all, define what growth means for you.

Rethinking Career Growth

We often have it stuck in our heads that career growth means climbing the corporate ladder—an upward movement toward higher positions and more responsibility. But have you considered that growth can also mean something different? Perhaps it’s expanding your skill set, deepening your expertise, lateral growth within your company, entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, a change of industry, mentoring, or even creating a better work-life balance. There are many ways to grow, but what’s most important is defining what growth means for you.

Take a moment to reflect: Which words resonate with your idea of growth at this time of your life? Choose a few that feel meaningful to you:

Mastery	Alignment	Influence	Mentorship
Freedom	Leadership	Diversification	Stability
Innovation	Exploration	Recognition	Reintegration
Security	Autonomy	Accountability	Empowerment
Creativity	Collaboration	Purpose	Impact

The Power of Visualized Goals

Now that you have defined what growth means to you, can you reflect on what feeling stuck means to you? Are you currently experiencing any of those growth needs being unmet? When we talk about feeling "stuck" in your career, it's often tied to a gap between where you are and where you want to be, whether it's in terms of skills, achievements, or fulfillment. Now that you’ve identified what “stuck” might mean for you, here’s how you can move forward:

Define Your Career Vision

Start by asking yourself these guiding questions:

• What would you like to achieve overall in your career?

• What are the key priorities that form part of this vision?

• What would you like to be different from how it is now?

• By when do you want to see this change, and is it realistic?

• What would a successful growth career look like to you in the next 1, 3, or 5 years?

• On a scale of 1-10, where are you now in relation to your first year career objectives?

  
  

Moving Forward with Intention

Forward movement isn’t about taking huge leaps overnight. It’s about making small, strategic steps that build momentum. Consider:

• What strengths do you have that can help you achieve your objective?

• What qualities do you possess that could support you in this journey? (personal traits, network, experience, financial resources, etc.)

• Who or what can you turn to for guidance and support?

• What or who can inspire you to move forward?

• What have you seen others do in similar situations?

• What have you seen yourself do in similar situations in the past?

  
  

Taking Action: The First Step

The first step is often the hardest, but also the most crucial. Here are a few ways to take action:

• Identify one specific action you can take immediately, no matter how small. What step can you take that will bring you closer to a 10 on the scale?

• Seek support from mentors, coaches, or colleagues who can offer guidance.

• Break your goal into manageable milestones to track your progress.

• Hold yourself accountable by setting deadlines and checking in regularly.

• Stay adaptable—your plan may evolve, but the key is to keep the alignment between your personal and professional objectives while moving forward.

  
  

The Role of Support and Inspiration

Success is rarely a solo journey. Reflect on what kind of support you need to thrive:

• Do you need career coaching, mentorship, or peer accountability?

• Are there communities, books, or podcasts that can provide ongoing inspiration?

• What habits or routines can keep you motivated and focused?

  
  

A Vision Board

A vision board can be a powerful tool for visualizing your goals and bringing clarity to your growth journey. Here’s how you could incorporate it:

• Choose a few images. For example, words, symbols, workspaces, people, figures and actionable steps that feel meaningful to you based on the answers to the above questions.

• Start arranging your chosen images and words on the board. Poster board, corkboard, or even a digital tool like Pinterest or Canva works.

• Focus on Feelings. When choosing images, think about how they make you feel. The goal is to create a visual that will inspire and motivate you when you look at it.

• Include your priority growth words in it, personal and professional.

Having a clear, visual representation of your aspirations can help you stay focused and motivated as you move forward.

Your Career, Your Path

Feeling stuck is a natural part of the career journey, but staying stuck is a choice. By defining your vision, setting realistic goals, and taking proactive steps, you can create meaningful change. Moving forward—It’s the consistent, intentional actions you take each day that compound into significant progress. Focus on what you can do right now, and let each small achievement build momentum toward your larger vision. What’s the first small step you can take today?

For more reflections on my experience living abroad, my work on career-self awareness, and my perspective on career transitions, follow me on:

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Article written by Edith Escobedo

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Thanks for sharing your time with me!

Edith