Is Your Career Moving Forward or Just Going in Circles?
How to Spot Career Misalignment Before It Wrecks Your Progress
“Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure.” — Tony Robbins
You wake up, down your coffee, and dive headfirst into work. The tasks are never-ending, your calendar is packed, and your energy levels are hanging on by a thread. At the end of the day, you crash into bed feeling like you’ve given everything you’ve got—but the nagging question remains: Where is this going?
I’ve never shared this publicly, but for the majority of my career, I felt like I was sprinting on a hamster wheel—busy but stuck. There's a lot of various factors that contributed to my career stagnation such as family of origin, being a first generation college graduate, not having a professional network, etc.
Yet, what stands out most for me is being on a misaligned path. I was pouring time and energy into work that didn’t align with my strengths, values, or long-term vision. I didn’t realize it then, but understanding what’s truly driving your career can mean the difference between making strides and running in circles.
If this resonates, it might be time to take a closer look at where you’re going.
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Here are three signs your career is misaligned—and how to course-correct before burnout or frustration derails your progress.
1. You’re Hustling, but It Feels Hollow
Do you ever feel like you’re working hard, but something’s missing? That’s the telltale sign of a career that’s out of sync with your values. Values act as your inner compass. When your work aligns with them, you feel fulfilled. When it doesn’t, even achievements can feel empty.
How to Fix It:
Clarify Your Values: Spend time identifying what truly matters to you. Is it growth, autonomy, helping others?
Audit Your Role: Compare your daily responsibilities with your core values. Where are the disconnects?
Align Through Action: If you can, reshape your role to include more of what lights you up. If that’s not possible, it might be time to explore opportunities elsewhere.
2. You Don’t Know What You’re Working Toward
Think back to the last time you set a career goal. Was it crystal-clear and meaningful—or vague and uninspiring? Without a destination in mind, you risk drifting aimlessly.
When you don’t have a clear vision for your career, it’s easy to feel stuck, like you’re running a race with no finish line. That’s not progress; that’s exhaustion.
How to Fix It:
Visualize Your Ideal Career: Where do you want to be in 5 or 10 years? Imagine your dream role, lifestyle, and work environment.
Set SMART Goals: Make them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, “I want to lead a team in a creative agency within 3 years” is more powerful than “I want to be successful.”
Check Your Alignment: Evaluate whether your current path leads to that vision. If it doesn’t, it’s time to pivot.
3. Your Strengths Are Underused—or Misused
One of the biggest lessons I learned in my career is this: Working in your zone of genius isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential for long-term success. When your strengths aren’t utilized, you’re not just leaving potential on the table; you’re also setting yourself up for boredom and frustration.
Sometimes, it’s not about whether your strengths are being used but how they’re being used. For example, you might excel at problem-solving but feel drained if you’re solving problems you don’t care about.
How to Fix It:
Take Inventory of Your Strengths: Ask yourself (and others!) what you naturally excel at. Tools like StrengthsFinder or personality assessments can be game-changers here.
Match Your Role to Your Strengths: Look for ways to align your responsibilities with what you’re best at—and what excites you.
Have the Right Conversations: Talk to your manager or mentor about reshaping your role. Be proactive in seeking projects that let you shine.
How to Move Forward
Recognizing career misalignment can feel like an “aha” moment—or a gut punch. But here’s the good news: Awareness is the first step to transformation. You’re not stuck. You have the power to reassess, realign, and rebuild a career that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
Start by asking yourself these questions:
Am I living my values in my work?
Do I have a clear vision for where I’m headed?
Am I using my strengths in a way that energizes me?
If the answers leave you uneasy, don’t ignore it. Career growth isn’t just about moving up—it’s about moving forward, in the right direction. When you’re ready, I’m available for additional support via my Career Alignment Accelerator
So take a breath, step off the hamster wheel, and start paving a path that’s aligned with who you are. After all, success without fulfillment isn’t success at all.
Which of these signs resonates most with you? Drop a comment below and let’s talk about how you can realign your career for growth and fulfillment.