Facing the Wall in Your Career? Here’s How to Break Through

The Hidden Strength in Your Experience

The biggest misconception about career change is that you have to start from scratch. But the truth is, you already have valuable experience, skills, and insights that you can transfer into a new job or career direction, you just need to see it.

Take my own journey as an example. Before becoming a life and career coach, I worked in public administration, including EU institutions. On the surface, I was making a complete career shift. But in reality, I carried forward everything I had learned—working with politicians, managing projects, leading teams, and communicating across cultures. Those skills became the foundation of my coaching practice.

And the same applies to you. No matter your industry, background, or how long you’ve felt stuck, you have strengths and experiences that you can repurpose into a more fulfilling career.

Why Do We Feel Stuck?

If you’ve hit a wall in your career, it’s not just about the job itself. It’s about how the situation makes you feel:

• Disappointed that your career isn’t progressing the way you envisioned.
• Resentful because you’ve invested so much time and effort, yet it no longer satisfies you.
• Lost and unmotivated, unsure of what to do next.
• Alone, especially if you’re an expat far from familiar support systems.
• Paralysed by imposter syndrome, convinced that you won’t meet job market expectations if you switch fields.

These feelings are valid. But they’re also signs that something needs to change.

Breaking Through: practical steps to redesign your career path

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Here are practical steps to start moving forward:

1. Acknowledge and accept the situation

Change starts with awareness. Recognising that you feel stuck is the first step toward doing something about it. Instead of resisting these feelings, acknowledge them as a signal that it’s time for a new direction.

2. Reflect on Your Skills and Strengths

List all the skills, knowledge, and experience you’ve gained so far—no matter how small. List all your successful projects and look for patterns—what do they have in common? Look beyond your job title and focus on what you actually do well.

• What problems have you solved in your career?
• What strengths have people recognised in you?
• What activities energise you the most?

This exercise helps you see your professional value, even if you’re considering a different industry.

3. Seek Professional Support

Making a career shift is easier when you have guidance. Career coaching can help you:

• Identify your transferable skills.
• Clarify your goals and career direction.
• Build confidence and overcome self-doubt.
• Create an action plan for change.

Research shows that people who seek professional career coaching navigate transitions with greater confidence and success. Having someone help you recognise your strengths and possibilities makes all the difference.

4. Explore Alternative Career Paths

You don’t have to make an extreme change overnight. Sometimes, minor adjustments—such as shifting industries, transitioning into a new role within your field, or even starting a side project—can bring fresh energy and fulfilment.

5. Start Taking Small, Purposeful Actions

• Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your skills and aspirations.
• Attend networking events in industries that interest you.
• Take an online course to explore a new field.
• Reach out to professionals who have made similar career changes and learn from their experiences.

The key is momentum—once you start exploring possibilities, the wall in front of you will feel less intimidating.

“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” – Jim Rohn

You’re Not Starting Over—You’re Building on What You Already Have

Hitting a career wall doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re ready for something more aligned with who you are today. With the right mindset, support, and strategy, you can transition into a career that brings you fulfilment and confidence. Perhaps this is the turning point that leads you to a new chapter filled with purpose, excitement, and the opportunities you’ve been waiting for. Sometimes, what feels like an ending is actually the beginning of the life you were meant to live.

So, if you feel stuck, take a deep breath. You don’t need to have all the answers today. You need to open up for change and take the first step. And if you need guidance, career coaching can help you navigate the path forward with confidence and purpose.