Feeling Stuck? Here's How to Realign with Work That Inspires You
"How long is too long to be in one role?" That was the question I was asked during a recent 1:1 session.
My response? It's not about the length of time. It’s about how the role makes you feel.
So, I asked her: Are you energized or are you drained?
As we dug deeper into her experience, she realized something powerful.
She had outgrown her role. She no longer felt challenged, supported, or inspired. Her energy was being drained—not fueled.
We explored the possibilities together:
Advocating for stretch assignments and more support in her current role
Exploring other roles within her organization that align with her growth
Or being open to opportunities beyond her current company
And here’s what struck me most: Once she gave herself permission to be honest about how she felt, her entire outlook shifted. Her stress softened, her posture relaxed, and she walked away feeling hopeful.
We spend a significant part of our lives at work.
And while no job is perfect every day, you deserve to feel motivated, inspired, and supported.
✨ Your gut often knows when something’s off. The real question is—are you listening?
That’s why I encourage every professional to regularly conduct a career audit—a simple but powerful check-in with yourself to realign your work with what inspires and fuels you.
Here are 3 questions to guide your next career audit:
1. Am I gaining or losing energy from my work?
Pay attention to your energy levels during and after work. Do you feel alive, engaged, and motivated? Or do you feel depleted and disconnected? This simple reflection often reveals more than we realize.
2. What’s fueling me—and what’s depleting me?
Get specific. Is it the people? The projects? The culture? The lack of challenge? Identifying the sources of energy and exhaustion allows you to take targeted action—whether it's setting new boundaries, advocating for support, or pursuing growth opportunities.
3. What needs to change so I can grow and thrive again?
This is where possibility lives. Maybe you ask for stretch assignments, start conversations with mentors, or explore new roles that align with your evolving goals. Sometimes the biggest shift isn’t external—it’s giving yourself permission to act.
Now what?
You have choices.
And you deserve to feel inspired, supported, and fulfilled in your career.
🌟 So let me ask you:
When was the last time you performed a career audit?
And more importantly—what did it reveal?
Access “Six Tips to Elevate Your Leadership & Retain Talent”, a free resource you can download from our home page and visit our Culture Corner page for access to all our newsletters. Until then, be well and keep shining!
We at Cultivate and Thrive empower women leaders achieve to their goals and cultivate an organizational culture where everyone can thrive. Book a free consultation so we can learn more about you and how we can elevate your organizational culture and performance.
Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter for more valuable, easily digestible content you don’t want to miss!
