What the hell am I still doing here? Navigating your career crossroads

"Careers are a jungle gym, not a ladder." — Sheryl Sandberg

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Hey Reader,

Ten years ago, I found myself staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror at work, asking the same question that's probably been echoing in your mind at some point:

"What the hell am I still doing here?"

I was burnt out, frustrated, and worst of all, I realized I was the one standing in my own way.

I wasn’t learning anything new, there was no promotion or pay increase in sight, and my confidence was taking a hit with every passing day. I was so caught up in the day-to-day grind that I couldn't see the bigger picture – I was sabotaging my own career fulfilment.

Sound familiar? If you're nodding along, it's time to get out of your own way.

The Only Thing Stopping You Is... You

Here's my hot take: The biggest obstacle to your career growth isn't your boss, your company, or the job market. It's you.

We often stay in unfulfilling jobs because of fear, comfort, or a misplaced sense of loyalty. We tell ourselves stories about why we can't make a change:

• "I'm not qualified for anything better."

• "What if I leave and the new job is worse?"

• "I should be grateful for what I have."

But here's the truth: You're capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for. It's time to stop self-sabotaging and start thriving.

The Emotional Rollercoaster You're Riding

• You're watching peers land bigger jobs and bigger paychecks while you're... still here.

• Sunday nights have become anxiety-fests as you dread Monday mornings.

• You've exceeded targets for years, but when you bring up a promotion, you're told to "wait your turn."

• The thought of networking or updating your LinkedIn feels fake and exhausting.

• Your mood? Let's just say it's seen better days.

This is your reminder that you are absolutely not alone. A global study by Gallup found that 60% of employees are emotionally detached at work, with only 21% reporting being actively engaged in their jobs

Let’s Dig Deep and Get Honest

It's time to put the 'T' in THRIVE into action. Remember, 'Target' is all about defining your ideal role and environment. Let's dive into some exercises that will help you uncover your true career aspirations:

1. Core Values Exercise: Take 30 minutes to list your top 10 values (e.g., creativity, financial security, work-life balance). Now, ruthlessly narrow it down to your top 3. How well does your current job align with these core values?

2. Future Self Visualization: Close your eyes and imagine your ideal work day 6 months from now. What are you doing? Who are you working with? How do you feel? Write it down in vivid detail.

3. The Regret Test: Fast forward to age 80. Looking back on your career, what would you regret not doing? What risks would you wish you had taken?

Now think about what your current role, company and work/life balance look like and how it stacks up against the aspirations you just uncovered. Remember, the goal isn't to make a decision right now. It's to gain clarity on what you truly want.

Ready to Shine?

If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just ready for a change, remember: this is the start of something new and exciting. Reply to this email with your biggest insight from the exercises above, and let's start a conversation about where (and who) you want to be.

It's time to turn that "What the hell am I still doing here?" into "Hell yeah, this is exactly where I'm meant to be!" Are you ready?

Talk to you soon,

Jenn

P.S. Curious about how the THRIVE Method can specifically help you? Drop me a message or connect with me on LinkedIn - I’d love to chat!