How to Get Unstuck, Find Clarity and Take The Next Step

Do you wake up every morning with a sinking feeling in your stomach, dreading another day at work? You’re not alone! 

Many people find themselves trapped in jobs that drain their energy, limit their potential, and keep them from living the life they truly desire. 

So, what to do when you hate your job?

You won’t find your exact next steps in any blog post or video, but the good news is this– You don’t have to stay stuck.

By asking yourself the right questions, you can uncover powerful insights about what’s really going on—and what steps you can take to create a career and life you love. 

Whether you’re dreaming of a new job, starting a side hustle, or stepping into a more purpose-driven career like transformational life coaching, these questions will help you find clarity and move forward with confidence.

How I Went From Miserable To Thriving (And How You Can Do It, Too)

If you’re wondering what to do when you hate your job and your only wish is to leave corporate America, I feel you!

Many years ago, I was in the same spot. 

There was another lifetime when I was working in a financial services company – and I was miserable.

I was overworked and running on empty. I had become the cranky mom who would bark at her children, and my marriage was on the rocks.

Thank goodness that my mom is a transformational leader, and she invited me to a women’s retreat. After my initial resistance (telling myself that I was too busy and it was inconvenient) I decided to join, and I went to Arizona.

I was sitting knee to knee in a close circle of women, while I evaluated every aspect of my life. I couldn’t hide from myself anymore – I realized I was in enormous pain regarding my vocation, my health, and my freedom. 

That’s when I explored what I would love to do with my life. I began to dream and craft a new vision for myself.

Most importantly, I made a decision for myself: it was time to make a change.

I went back to work the next day and put in my 30-day notice.

Now I’m thriving: I’ve been married to my soulmate for 28 years now, I have an incredible relationship with my kids, I’m healthier than I’ve ever felt, and I’ve built a multimillion-dollar coaching business.

It all started with the decision to lean into my purpose – and you can do it, too.

Why Staying in the Wrong Job Isn’t “Responsible Adulting”

First of all, let’s talk about one of the biggest ‘dream-killer’ traps that keep most of us in place… 

Too many people convince themselves that staying in a job they hate is the “responsible” thing to do.

But what’s the real cost of staying stuck? 

The truth is, forcing yourself to tolerate a work environment that makes you miserable comes with serious consequences:

– Burnout & Stress: Constant frustration and exhaustion can take a toll on your health.

– Strained Relationships: Being unhappy at work often spills over into your personal life.

– Lost Time: Every day spent in the wrong place is a day you could be building the life you truly want.

If you’re already experiencing these symptoms in your life, it may be a sign that you’re due for a change.

Your dream job isn’t just about making money—it’s about alignment, purpose, and fulfillment. And the first step to getting there? Asking the right questions.

What To Do If You Hate Your Job? 10 Revealing Questions To Move Forward 

1. What’s Hiding Behind Your Discontent?

Not everyone who hates their job dislikes it for the same reasons. Take a moment to tune in: What exactly is making you feel stuck? Is it your work environment? The company culture? A lack of growth opportunities? A toxic boss?

Exercise: Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and ask yourself: “Where do I feel the most discontent in my work life?” Write down everything that comes to mind.

Discontent isn’t just frustration—it’s a signal from the universe pointing you toward something better.

2. How Is Your Current Job Serving You?

Even if you can’t stand your job, there’s a reason you’re there right now. 

A universal principle states that “every challenge contains the seed of an equal or greater benefit” – so even if this job is not the right fit for you, it’s serving a purpose in your life.

So, what’s the hidden benefit here? 

Maybe it’s financial stability while you plan your next step. Maybe you’re building skills or networking with people who could help in your future career.

Shift your mindset: Instead of focusing only on what’s wrong, ask yourself: “What is this experience teaching me?” What you focus on expands—so acknowledging the good can help you create more of it.

3. How Can You Feel Better at Work (Even If You’ll Quit)?

Just because you’re planning an exit doesn’t mean you have to suffer until then. 

Nobody wants to feel miserable at their job – even if you’ve decided to quit, you have the opportunity to make things better for yourself while you’re still there.

Small changes—adjusting your schedule, setting boundaries, automating, delegating, or finding ways to make your tasks more enjoyable—can shift your experience.

Ask yourself: “What’s one small change I can make today to feel better at work?”

4. What Would You LOVE?

Most people spend more time complaining about what they don’t want than imagining what they do want. But your desires are clues to your higher purpose.

This is where another critical signal of the Universe comes into play: longing.

What are you deeply craving? Tune inwards, because the answers are not just idle daydreaming: they’re the signposts leading you to your highest purpose and fulfillment.

Most people struggle to find out what they would love, and the main reason is that we’ve been taught to go after what we think we can get, or conditioned to pursue what we “should” want…

Not what we really want, deep inside.  

So I encourage you to dream BIG and let yourself color outside the lines. If money, time, and experience weren’t obstacles, what would your ideal career look like? Would you be helping others? Working from anywhere? Creating your own schedule?

Exercise: Close your eyes and picture your perfect workday. What does it look like? Feel like? Write down every detail.

5. Get A New Job… Or A New Career?

Sometimes, changing companies is enough. Other times, a complete career shift is what’s needed. 

Many people don’t even know what an aligned career feels like. There are telltale signs of a fulfilling vocation that will give you a clue, such as feeling purposeful, looking forward to the work day, and experiencing growth.

These are general points however, and everybody’s different. So look at your list from the last exercise—does your current path align with what you truly desire?

If not, it may be time to explore something new—perhaps a calling like transformational life coaching, where you help others while creating abundance and freedom for yourself.

At this point, feelings may be coming up when you think about a new career, so I just to reassure you that it’s normal. Perhaps the reasons that guided you to step into your current role no longer apply to your life, or maybe this phase of your life already served its purpose. 

Be grateful for the lessons, let yourself have closure with this stage of your life, and allow yourself to explore the new options ahead of you.

6. What Are Your Unique Gifts?

Now let’s explore what would be the best new path for you.

When evaluating a new career (if this is the path you’re choosing) it’s best to consider what would be aligned with your unique gifts. 

How do you shine your light into the world?

Every person has unique strengths that make them shine. Maybe you’re great at helping others see their potential, guiding people through challenges, or inspiring transformation. If you love empowering others, life coaching could be your perfect fit.

This is a great opportunity to step into a vocation where you have an unlimited income opportunity, freedom to set your own hours, location freedom, and deeper fulfilment by helping others reach their full potential.

Ask yourself: “What do people naturally come to me for advice about?” Your greatest gifts are often things you take for granted.

7. What Would You Need to Leave With Peace Of Mind?

Leaving your job or making a big career shift—especially a mid-life career change—can feel overwhelming. 

You may be thrilled about your new path at first… and then think about the bills.

So you conclude “When the time is right, I’ll do it” – all while days, weeks or months go by. 

I’ve seen this scenario more times than I can count with aspiring coaches, but it doesn’t have to be this way for you.

The good news is that you can beat overwhelm and procrastination by clarifying in advance what you need to make the switch with peace of mind. 

Consider what you would need financially – maybe it’s having 6 months of expenses saved in the bank or another specific amount. Also, think about what would make you feel prepared to switch – perhaps you want to validate that your idea works, get clients, or start your venture as a side hustle to prove to yourself that you can do it. 

Whatever it is, have it in writing, so that you can get clear on which conditions you want to meet before jumping into a new vocation. By deciding on it beforehand, you lower the risk of postponing it more than you need to, or procrastinate because you don’t “feel ready.”

Journaling Exercise: Ask yourself: What would you need to feel comfortable making a move? A specific amount in savings? A proven business model? A supportive mentor? Write it all down—this will help you create your action plan.

8. How Do You Create An Exit Strategy?

So now that you know what you need to feel safe quitting your job, it’s time to get the wheels turning.

No, I’m not talking about storming into your boss’ office and putting in your notice.

I get that you may want to leave NOW… 

And yet, coming up with a plan will make everything easier (your future you will thank you for it.)

That’s because a well-structured exit plan will help you:

1. Give yourself the best start possible in your new career and set yourself up for success, 

2. Not burn any bridges, and 

3. Help you actually go for it by breaking down the steps or milestones you need to complete before putting in your 2-week notice.

So I encourage you to create a roadmap and consider things like:

• What milestones do you want to hit before you quit?
• Do you need to finish a project or save a certain amount of money?
• Would you prefer to build your new career as a side hustle first?

You can use the brainstorm list you created for point #7, and this time focus on what would be the most crucial for you. Estimate how long it will take to complete each step, and come up with a tentative date when you would be ready to leave. 

If having a set date feels scary, it’s okay. Remember that the plan is flexible, and you’re always in control. Having a specific date will make things more real for you, and give you something to look forward to. 

You got this!

Action step: Write down three clear steps you’ll take before putting in your notice.

9. Who Could Help You Fast-Track Your Journey?

One of the worst traps you can fall into when stepping into your new career –a trap that I’ve seen many aspiring coaches fall into– is buying into the ‘lone wolf’ mentality: thinking you have to figure everything out on your own.

The truth is that the most successful people don’t go at it alone. They invest in mentors and communities that help them get there faster.

Working with a mentor is one of the best ways to accelerate your success – they’ve been there, done that. They can pull back the curtain on industry secrets, and separate what works from what doesn’t. This helps you skip past beginner mistakes, and save yourself precious time, energy, and money in the process.

If you’re serious about stepping into a new career, ask yourself: “Who can I learn from?” Finding the right mentor can save you years of trial and error.

10. What Can You Do Right Now, With What You Have?

If you’re wondering what to do if you hate your job, know this- You don’t have to do everything at once. You don’t have to figure everything out today – that’s a recipe for overwhelm!

But momentum is key. 

Most people wait for clarity before taking a step in the direction of their dreams…

And they end up stuck in the same place, year after year.

I want to invite you to do things differently. You see, what most people miss is that clarity comes through action: is only by taking one step that the next one is revealed to you.

So, ask yourself: What’s one small action you can take this week toward your next step? 

Maybe it’s researching a new career path, taking an online course, or reaching out to a mentor.

Action step: Write down one step you’ll take this week—and commit to doing it.

Ready to Take the Next Step Toward a Career You Love?

If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and start creating a career and life you truly love, then I have the perfect step you can take today:

Join The 5-Day Life Coach Accelerator Challenge (for free)

This immersive experience will help you:

• Gain clarity on your next steps
• Create a vision-driven plan for success
• Get expert mentorship to accelerate your journey

You don’t have to do this alone. This is your chance to turn your longing for something more into a concrete, step-by-step plan to make it happen.

Your dream life is waiting—take the first step today.

Click here to join the FREE Life Coach Accelerator Challenge now