Are you on the right career path?

A question I love to ask my clients is…

Is the Ladder You're Climbing in Your Career Up Against the Right Wall?

It’s easy to get caught up in the momentum of a career that we think is the "right" path. Many of us start climbing the career ladder without fully realizing where it leads. We take the steps available to us—because it was the logical next move, because it’s what we were told we should do, or because we thought it would make other people proud. But as time goes on, we may find ourselves looking up and asking:

• Is this really “it”?

• Does this work still matter to me?

• When I look at those 3-5 years ahead of me, do I feel inspired and excited about where I’m headed?

• Am I making the kind of impact I want to make and that I’m capable of?

• Is my current role aligned with my unique strengths and passions?

If the answer to any of these questions is "no"—or even "I don’t know"—it might be time to pause, reflect, and ask yourself: Is this really the career path I want to continue on?

The Ladder Might Be Up Against the Wrong Wall

The truth is, sometimes the ladder we’re climbing isn’t up against the right wall at all. It might even be in the wrong room entirely. The wall we’ve chosen could be one that we thought we wanted to climb years ago, but over time, we’ve changed, evolved, and outgrown it. Or perhaps it was never the right wall for us to begin with, but we followed it because it seemed like the next logical step. It can be difficult to admit, but when we pause and reflect, we may realize the ladder we’ve been climbing no longer aligns with who we are or what we truly want.

Feeling Stuck and Overwhelmed

Making the decision to shift direction can feel daunting. There’s an overwhelming number of possibilities, and the fear of making the wrong choice can be paralyzing. If you're in a career transition or thinking about one, you might be feeling lost in the vast number of options. There’s the pressure to do it all “perfectly,” to get it “right,” or to be sure of every step before moving forward.

This is where the struggle lies for many—figuring out what’s next, what feels right, and how to navigate it all without feeling like you’re starting completely over or risking everything.

A Career Transition Doesn’t Have to Mean Starting Over

The good news is, a career transition doesn’t necessarily require quitting your job or starting from scratch. It might simply mean pausing to reassess your values, strengths, and what truly excites you. Sometimes, the key is recognizing that the ladder you’re on doesn’t need to be thrown away—it just needs to be re-positioned.

If you’re finding that your current role doesn’t feel aligned with your strengths and passions, it may be time to explore ways to shift your focus within your existing career. You don’t always have to make a complete career change to feel more fulfilled. It’s about finding a path that allows you to thrive.

The Power of Reflection and Structure

Answering these big career questions on your own can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure of where to start. That’s why having a structured approach can help. Career transitions require more than just reflection—they require a container, a framework, to help you make big decisions with clarity.

A structured process can help you explore the possibilities without getting lost in them, allowing you to take small, intentional steps toward a career that truly aligns with who you are now. Whether it’s adjusting your current role or pivoting into something entirely new, the key is to make intentional decisions based on clarity, not fear or uncertainty.

What I Do Next

This is exactly what I help my clients do. I guide them through the process of gaining clarity about their values, strengths, and passions, then create a clear path forward that honors who they truly are. Transitioning doesn’t have to be a leap into the unknown—it can be a step-by-step process of aligning what you do with who you are, creating more meaning and fulfillment in your work.

If you’re in the middle of a career transition or even just considering one, I encourage you to take a moment to pause and ask yourself: Is the ladder I’m climbing in my career up against the right wall?

If you’re ready to explore what comes next, I’m here to help.

Ready to Start Your Career Transition?

Book a free discovery call through the link below to explore how my coaching approach can help guide you through this transition.