Feeling Stuck at Work? Here‘s Help
What to Do When You Feel Like You’ve Made the Wrong Decisions in Life and Feel Miserable in Your Job
It happens to the best of us—you wake up one day and suddenly feel like you’ve made all the wrong decisions in life, particularly when it comes to your job. You might be stuck in a career that doesn’t fulfill you, feeling unmotivated and miserable, questioning where things went wrong. But while this feeling can be overwhelming, there are concrete steps you can take to turn things around and find purpose again.
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings Without Judgment
The first step to dealing with any challenge is to acknowledge how you’re feeling. It’s completely normal to feel lost, regretful, or stuck at various points in life. But instead of beating yourself up about it, allow yourself to experience these emotions without judgment. Self-compassion is crucial here. It’s okay to feel like you’ve made mistakes or that you’re unhappy in your job—it doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever.
2. Re-Evaluate Your Career and Life Choices
Take a step back and reflect on your career path. Are you truly in the wrong job, or is it a temporary rough patch? Sometimes stress or burnout can cloud your judgment and make everything seem worse than it really is. Write down what specifically makes you feel miserable in your job. Is it the workload, lack of creativity, or poor work-life balance? By pinpointing the exact issues, you’ll have a clearer idea of what changes need to be made.
Ask yourself the following questions:
• What initially attracted me to this job or career?
• What parts of my job do I enjoy, if any?
• Is there a different role or path within my field that might suit me better?
• Do I feel disconnected from my personal values and goals?
This reflection can help you figure out if you’re in the wrong job or just need a change in approach.
3. Identify Your Core Values and Priorities
When you feel lost, it’s often because your current life doesn’t align with your core values or goals. Take time to rediscover what truly matters to you. Are you motivated by creativity, freedom, helping others, or financial stability? Once you have a clear understanding of your values, you can start making decisions that are aligned with them, whether it means pivoting your career or making smaller adjustments in your current job.
4. Develop a Plan for Change
If you’ve come to the conclusion that your job isn’t right for you, start planning your next move. This doesn’t mean you need to quit immediately—in fact, that’s often not advisable. Instead, create a roadmap for change. This could mean:
• Updating your resume and LinkedIn profile.
• Networking with professionals in fields you’re interested in.
• Enrolling in courses to gain new skills or certifications.
• Setting a timeline for when you’d like to make a career transition.
Having a plan will help you feel less stuck and more in control of your future.
5. Seek Support from Mentors, Coaches, or Therapists
You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Reach out for guidance and support. Mentors, career coaches, or even therapists can provide valuable perspective and help you navigate the difficult decisions you’re facing. Often, they can offer insights into your strengths and help you discover new paths you might not have considered.
Career coaches, for example, can help you find roles that match your skills and interests, while therapists can work with you to overcome any deeper emotional barriers that may be holding you back.
6. Experiment with Small Changes Before Taking a Big Leap
Before you make drastic changes, try making small adjustments in your current role or life to see if it helps. Could you switch teams, take on a new project, or negotiate a more flexible schedule? Sometimes, even small shifts in how you approach your work can help reignite passion or provide clarity on your next step.
Outside of work, focus on activities that bring you joy. Whether it’s a hobby, side project, or volunteering, engaging in meaningful activities can help you reconnect with your passions and give you a clearer sense of direction.
7. Take Ownership of Your Choices and Focus on Growth
One of the hardest aspects of feeling stuck or miserable in your job is the sense that you’ve made “wrong” decisions. However, instead of dwelling on regret, focus on how you can grow from this experience. Every decision, even those that don’t turn out the way you hoped, provides valuable lessons. Shift your mindset from “I’ve made mistakes” to “What can I learn from this, and how can I use it to make better decisions in the future?”
Embrace the idea that it’s never too late to change direction, no matter how far along you are in your career or life. Growth is a continuous process, and each step you take can lead you closer to a fulfilling path.
8. Prioritise Your Well-Being
Finally, don’t forget the importance of self-care when you’re feeling lost or miserable in your job. Stress, burnout, and dissatisfaction can take a toll on both your mental and physical health. Make sure you’re taking time to rest, exercise, and practice mindfulness. Meditation or journaling can help you gain clarity on your feelings and give you space to process your emotions.