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Do you wake up every day hating the idea of going to work, feeling unhappy and unfulfilled? Why does this happen and more importantly, how can you break free and start building the career you really want?

Reason #1: You Don’t Make Time for Yourself

One of the biggest reasons you feel stuck in your career is that you don’t make time for yourself. Everything else seems more important – your job, your family, your responsibilities. While these are indeed important, neglecting yourself can have serious consequences. When you don’t prioritize yourself, you don’t take the necessary time to reflect on your career and life goals.

Start by carving out dedicated time for self-reflection. Sit down and write out what it would cost you to stay in a job and career that doesn’t fulfill you. Think about how it impacts your mental health, your relationships, and your overall well-being. Realizing the true cost of staying in an unfulfilling job can be a powerful motivator to make a change.

Reason #2: You Are in a State of Stress and Anxiety

Another major block to career clarity is being in a constant state of stress and anxiety. When you’re in a fight, flight, or freeze mode, it’s nearly impossible to make clear and rational decisions. Stress clouds your judgment and makes it difficult to see the possibilities for a fulfilling career.

Before you can think about what career would fulfill you, you need to get out of that state of fear and anxiety.

Reason #3: You Fear the Unknown

A common block to finding your dream career is fear of the unknown. Stepping out of your comfort zone into something new can feel intimidating. This fear often keeps people stuck in jobs they know aren’t right for them, simply because staying feels safer than taking a leap.

Research shows that trying to push away unwanted thoughts often makes them even more upsetting. Similarly, telling someone to “just calm down” can actually make anxiety worse, because it’s like fighting against your own feelings.

The first step to moving past this block is simply noticing your fear. It’s a normal reaction to change, so try to work with it instead of against it. One trick is to reframe it: instead of labeling it as anxiety, see it as excitement. Your body reacts the same way to both, the difference is just in how you interpret it!