Feeling Stuck? Let’s Talk About Why.
Life has a funny way of surfacing this quiet thought:
“I’m doing everything I’m supposed to… so why does this feel off?”
I hear it constantly from high performers. People who are capable, respected, and objectively “doing well.”
Not because they lack ambition.
But because they’ve been operating on momentum for a long time.
I know this because I’ve been there.
Several years ago, on paper, my career looked solid as Senior Vice President, Digital. I had the title. The credibility. The track record. I was trusted, relied on, and moving forward.
And yet, I remember feeling this heaviness I couldn’t quite explain — I wasn't having as much fun, and things seemed much harder. Something was off, and I couldn't put my finger on it.
What I didn’t have then was clarity.
What I did have was a signal I kept trying to override.
Looking back, that feeling wasn’t a problem to solve.
It was information.
Feeling stuck isn’t a failure.
It’s often a sign you’ve outgrown something.
If that resonates, here’s where I’d start:
First: Get Honest About What You’re Done With
Everyone loves to talk about what they want next.
But clarity starts with considering what completes you and subtracting what doesn't.
Ask yourself:
What consistently drains me, even when I’m “good” at it?
What feels heavier than it used to?
What would I stop doing if I trusted myself more?
For me, naming what no longer fit was uncomfortable. It meant admitting I had changed. But that honesty created the space I needed to move forward with intention instead of inertia.
Second: Watch Your Energy (It Tells the Truth Faster Than Logic)
One of the simplest things you can do is track your energy for a week.
Not productivity.
Not outcomes.
Energy.
Two columns:
Energizing | Depleting
Notice the moments that sharpen you versus the ones that dull you.
Pay attention to people, conversations, and environments.
Those patterns were the first real breadcrumbs toward clarity in my own career—and I see the same thing happen for clients again and again.
Reevaluate: Stop Forcing a 5-Year Plan
If “What’s my long-term vision?” makes you freeze, that’s not a motivation problem. That’s a timing problem.
Zoom in instead:
What do I want more of this month?
What am I craving in how I work or lead right now?
What would feel like meaningful progress in the next 30 days?
Clarity follows movement. Not overthinking.
Look Inward: A Prompt That Changed Things for Me
This question cracked things open when I finally let myself answer it honestly:
“If I gave myself full permission to want what I want, I would admit that…”
The first time I wrote it, the answer surprised me. It wasn’t strategic. It wasn’t impressive. But it was true—and that mattered more.
Finally: Let Someone Help You See Yourself Clearly
One thing I’ve learned: you cannot read the label from inside the bottle.
Ask someone you trust:
What do you see as my real strengths?
Where do you think I’m holding back?
What do you think I’m ready for that I haven’t named yet?
Clarity isn’t always solo work.
Before You Go
You don’t need a perfectly articulated vision to move forward.
You just need one honest thread—and the courage to pull it.
You’re not behind.
You’re in a transition.
And that deserves curiosity, not self-criticism.
One quick note as you plan ahead: International Women’s Day is March 8.
If your organization is looking for a virtual keynote or workshop, I’m currently booking IWD conversations focused on this year's theme #GivetoGet.
Send me an email to learn more!
Together we unleash forward,
Salima Valji
