April 13, 2025 • 19 mins
In this episode of The Mid-Career Makeover Show, host LaVonne James dives deep into the real reasons mid-career professionals feel stuck—and what it actually takes to get unstuck.
LaVonne unpacks the psychological and emotional underpinnings of career stagnation—from status quo bias to imposter syndrome—and walks listeners through five powerfully reflective questions designed to spark clarity and action. Whether you're battling burnout, overwhelmed with options, or shackled by “golden handcuffs,” this episode helps you pinpoint what kind of “stuck” you’re in—and how to take your first bold step toward reinvention.
This episode isn’t just motivational—it’s tactical. With LaVonne’s guidance, you’ll gain:
- A breakdown of five psychological biases that sabotage progress
- A step-by-step clarity exercise that reveals your hidden career desires
- A personalized approach to identifying the type of stuck you’re facing
- Practical actions you can take this week to regain momentum
💡 Key takeaway: You’re not broken—you’re in a season of discovery. And you have the power to edit your story as many times as you need.
For more career inspiration, visit yourbreakthrough.app
Thank you for listening! For more information on mid-career transformation, visit AI4CareerSuccess.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_02 (00:07):
Now your child's behind ya.
But wisdom thing again.
Pat turn on fire.
You've got stories to tell anddreams to inspire.
Rise above the noise.
SPEAKER_00 (00:27):
Take your place, hide.
The Mid Career Makeover Show.
This episode of the Mid CareerMakeover Show is sponsored by
the Brand Breakthrough System.
SPEAKER_04 (00:38):
Tired of being the best kept secret in your
industry, it's time to build abrand that gets you noticed.
Go from invisible toirresistible in 90 days with the
brand breakthrough system.
In just 90 days.
Whether you're job searching,pivoting, or aiming higher, this
system gives you the strategyand confidence to own your
career all in just 90 days.
(01:00):
Ready to break through?
Learn more atBrandbreakthroughsystem.com.
Step up, stand out, and lead.
Your career is worth it.
SPEAKER_01 (01:09):
Are you ready to break through the noise and
build a career that trulyreflects your potential?
In Think Like a Leader to builda career brand that accelerates
your success.
Levon McKyver James shares theproven strategies behind her
brand breakthrough system.
Learn how to think like aleader, craft your unique value
proposition, and tell a storythat commands attention.
(01:30):
Whether you're looking to standout in your current role or land
your next big opportunity, thisbook is your guide to taking
control of your career and yourfuture.
Don't wait for success to findyou.
Create it.
Get your copy of Think Like aLeader to build a career brand
that accelerates your successtoday and start building the
brand and life you deserve.
(01:50):
Available on Amazon.
SPEAKER_00 (01:52):
Welcome to the Mid-Career Makeover Show.
I'm Lavon James, your guide tonavigating the twists and turns
of mid-career growth,reinvention, and success.
If you're feeling stuck orunsure about your next move,
then this episode is for you.
Today, we're diving deep,psychologically, emotionally,
and strategically, into what itmeans to be stuck in your career
(02:13):
and more importantly, how tofind clarity and take action.
So whether you're feelingstagnant, questioning your
purpose, or just unsure aboutthe next step, grab a cup of
coffee, find a quiet space, andlet's get to work on getting you
unstuck.
Let's start with a toughquestion.
Why do we get stuck?
(02:34):
The feeling of being stuck isoften psychological before it is
situational.
Yes, you might have a job thatisn't fulfilling, a boss that
doesn't appreciate you, or anindustry that feels like it's
leaving you behind.
But those are externalmanifestations of an internal
struggle.
Feeling lost in your career isoften a battle between who you
(02:55):
are versus who you think youshould be, what you want versus
what you've been conditioned towant.
Your comfort zone versus yourpotential.
When we hit mid-career, we areoften carrying years, sometimes
decades, of expectations fromour families, our industry, and
even our younger selves.
We wake up one day and realizethis isn't what I expected my
(03:18):
career to feel like.
And that realization isterrifying.
Because if we acknowledge thatwe're unhappy, then what?
Our brains are wired to keep usin familiar patterns, even if
those patterns are unfulfilling.
Why?
Because the unknown is scary.
It triggers fear, anxiety, anduncertainty.
This is why people stay incareers they hate, relationships
(03:40):
that drain them, or cities thatno longer feel like home.
But here's the hard truth (03:43):
the fear of change is often greater
than the change itself.
SPEAKER_01 (03:49):
Are you ready to break through the noise and
build a career that trulyreflects your potential?
In Think Like a Leader to builda career brand that accelerates
your success, Levon McKyverJames shares the proven
strategies behind her brandbreakthrough system.
Learn how to think like aleader, craft your unique value
proposition, and tell a storythat commands attention.
(04:09):
Whether you're looking to standout in your current role or land
your next big opportunity, thisbook is your guide to taking
control of your career and yourfuture.
Don't wait for success to findyou.
Create it.
Get your copy of Think Like aLeader to build a career brand
that accelerates your successtoday, and start building the
brand and life you deserve.
(04:29):
Available on Amazon.
SPEAKER_00 (04:31):
Welcome back.
We're discussing what it meansto be stuck in your career.
So psychologists have identifiedkey cognitive biases that make
change harder and staying stuckseemingly easier.
One of these biases is thestatus quo bias.
That's when you prefer things tostay the same, even when they're
not serving you.
(04:52):
Loss aversion is anothercognitive bias.
That's when the fear of losingwhat you have is stronger than
the desire to gain somethingbetter.
And then there's impostersyndrome, which is feeling like
you don't deserve to moveforward.
If you recall, we coveredovercoming imposter syndrome in
a previous episode of themid-career makeover show The
Good News.
(05:12):
These biases can be unlearned.
Let's break it down.
To unlearn status quo bias,start by challenging your
autopilot thinking.
Ask yourself, am I staying inthis role because it's truly
right for me, or just becauseit's familiar?
Instead of defaulting to this ishow things are, try small
experiments with change.
(05:33):
A new skill, a networking call,a side project.
The more you step outside yourcomfort zone, the more your
brain adapts to change ratherthan resisting it.
With loss aversion bias, thefear of loss is powerful.
But so should be the fear ofstaying stuck.
If you're trying to overcomeloss aversion bias, flip the
(05:54):
script by asking, what's thebigger risk?
Losing what I have or nevergoing after what I truly want.
Instead of focusing on what youmight lose, visualize what you
stand to gain.
A better job, more fulfillment,a career that excites you again.
Make a reverse pros and conslist.
(06:15):
What do you lose by not making amove?
For imposter syndrome bias, Iknow rewiring imposter syndrome
can be difficult, that's why Idevoted an entire episode to it.
But if you've ever felt like youdon't deserve to move forward,
remind yourself success isn'tabout perfection, it's about
growth.
When self-doubt creeps in,reframe your inner dialogue.
(06:37):
Instead of I'm not ready, tellyourself, I'm learning as I go.
Keep an achievement journal.
Every time you doubt yourself,read it.
And remember, the people youadmire once felt like impostors
too.
The bottom line, your brain canbe retrained.
These biases are habits ofthinking, not life sentences.
(07:00):
So, which bias one do youstruggle with most?
Think about it.
Name it, challenge it, and takeone step, just one, toward
proving that your next move ispossible.
SPEAKER_04 (07:12):
Tired of being the best kept secret in your
industry?
It's time to build a brand thatgets you noticed.
Go from invisible toirresistible in 90 days with the
brand breakthrough system.
In just 90 days.
Whether you're job searching,pivoting, or aiming higher, this
system gives you the strategyand confidence to own your
career all in just 90 days.
(07:33):
Ready to break through?
Learn more atBrandbreakthroughsystem.com.
Step up, stand out, and lead.
Your career is worth it.
SPEAKER_01 (07:43):
Are you ready to break through the noise and
build a career that trulyreflects your potential?
In Think Like a Leader to builda career brand that accelerates
your success.
Levon McKyver James shares theproven strategies behind her
brand breakthrough system.
Learn how to think like aleader, craft your unique value
proposition, and tell a storythat commands attention.
(08:04):
Whether you're looking to standout in your current role or land
your next big opportunity, thisbook is your guide to taking
control of your career and yourfuture.
Don't wait for success to findyou.
Create it.
Get your copy of Think Like aLeader to build a career brand
that accelerates your successtoday and start building the
brand and life you deserve.
(08:24):
Available on Amazon.
SPEAKER_00 (08:26):
Welcome back to the Mid-Career Makeover Show, where
we are talking about overcomingthe feeling of being stuck in
your career.
In order to overcome stagnation,we must recognize the roots of
emotional stagnation.
Sometimes feeling stuck is notabout your job at all.
It's about emotional patternsyou haven't addressed.
Maybe you fear disappointingyour family.
(08:46):
Maybe you struggle withself-worth.
Maybe you are so accustomed tooverworking that you don't know
what a fulfilling career evenlooks like anymore.
If you feel stuck, don't justanalyze your job.
Analyze your emotionalrelationship with work.
Ask yourself, what emotionalpayoff am I getting from staying
stuck?
Even frustration can become acomfort zone if it's all you've
(09:08):
known.
What does stuck look like foryou?
Let's personalize this.
I want you to ask yourself, whatpart of my career feels the most
frustrating?
What do I want that I don't haveright now?
What story am I telling myselfabout why I can't change?
Take a moment to answer these.
It's important.
SPEAKER_03 (09:27):
This is your way to go away.
Better not go away.
SPEAKER_00 (09:41):
Now let's talk about the different forms of stuck,
because not all stuckness is thesame.
The identity crisis.
Stuck is when you've been inyour industry for years, but it
no longer excites you.
You don't know if you want tostay, but you also don't know
what else you do.
You feel like you're losing apiece of yourself.
The fear-based stuck is when youhave an idea of what you want,
(10:04):
but fear is stopping you.
Fear of failure, fear ofjudgment, fear of losing
financial stability.
There's also the overwhelmstuck, and that's when you have
too many options.
So instead of making a decision,you make none.
You analyze, research, and talkabout change, but you never
move.
The burnout stuck is when you'reso exhausted that you don't have
(10:26):
the energy to think about thefuture.
Your only goal is to survive thework week.
You don't need a new career, youneed a break.
And then there's the goldenhandcuffs stuck.
Here.
You make good money, but you'remiserable.
You feel trapped because yourlifestyle depends on your
current salary.
Which one resonates with you themost?
Because knowing what kind ofstuck you are helps you know how
(10:49):
to move forward.
SPEAKER_04 (10:50):
Tired of being the best kept secret in your
industry?
It's time to build a brand thatgets you noticed.
Go from invisible toirresistible in 90 days with the
brand breakthrough system.
In just 90 days.
Whether you're job searching,pivoting, or aiming higher, this
system gives you the strategyand confidence to own your
career.
All in just 90 days.
(11:12):
Ready to break through?
Learn more atBrandbreakthroughsystem.com.
Step up, stand out, and lead.
Your career is worth it.
SPEAKER_01 (11:22):
Are you ready to break through the noise and
build a career that trulyreflects your potential?
In Think Like a Leader to builda career brand that accelerates
your success, Levon McKyverJames shares the proven
strategies behind her brandbreakthrough system.
Learn how to think like aleader, craft your unique value
proposition, and tell a storythat commands attention.
(11:42):
Whether you're looking to standout in your current role or land
your next big opportunity, thisbook is your guide to taking
control of your career and yourfuture.
Don't wait for success to findyou.
Create it.
Get your copy of Think Like aLeader to build a career brand
that accelerates your successtoday, and start building the
brand and life you deserve.
(12:02):
Available on Amazon.
SPEAKER_00 (12:04):
Welcome back to the Mid Career Makeover Show.
Now that we know what stuck is,let's discuss how to get
unstuck.
The first step to gettingunstuck is clarity, because you
can't move forward if you don'tknow where you're going.
Let's do an exercise.
Grab a notebook and write youranswers to these.
Number one, what are threecareer moments that made you
(12:25):
feel deeply fulfilled?
Three career moments that madeyou feel deeply fulfilled.
Number two, what do people cometo you for advice about?
What do people come to you foradvice about number three?
If you could start over with nofear, what would you do?
If you could start over with nofear, what would you do?
(12:46):
Number four.
If you stay on your current pathfor five more years, how does
that feel?
If you stay on your current pathfor five more years, how does
that feel?
Number five, what's one thingyou've always wanted to do but
never pursued?
What's one thing you've alwayswanted to do but never pursued?
SPEAKER_03 (13:06):
This is your way through.
Here lays the doubt, bend.
SPEAKER_00 (13:21):
These questions are designed to bring self-awareness
and clarity by helping youidentify patterns, values, and
inner desires that may be buriedunder routine, external
expectations or fear.
Let's break down how each onehelps you gain clarity in your
career.
Number one.
What are three career momentsthat made you feel deeply
(13:42):
fulfilled?
This question is importantbecause the answer identifies
what truly energizes and excitesyou in your work.
It helps you recognize certainthemes.
Do they involve leadership,creativity, problem solving,
helping others, or learning newskills?
The answer to what are threecareer moments that made you
feel deeply fulfilled helps toshow where you felt aligned with
(14:05):
your purpose, helping you movetoward more fulfilling work.
For example, if your fulfillingmoments all involved mentoring
junior employees, maybeleadership or coaching should be
part of your next career move.
The next question, number two,what do people come to you for
advice about?
Your answer to what do peoplecome to you for advice about
(14:25):
reveals your natural strengthsthat others already recognize.
It also shows the areas whereyou add value effortlessly.
These might be hidden talentsyou take for granted.
The answer to what do peoplecome to you for advice about
also helps determine careerdirections.
If people ask for help withstrategy, maybe you have
leadership potential.
If they seek emotional support,you might excel in a
(14:47):
people-oriented role.
An example could be (14:49):
if colleagues constantly ask you
for writing advice, but you'reworking in finance, maybe a
shift toward content strategy,marketing, or communications is
worth exploring.
Let's go to question numberthree.
If you could start over with nofear, what would you do?
The answer to this questionallows you to acknowledge dreams
(15:10):
you've dismissed due to fear,financial constraints, or
societal pressure.
It can highlight a direction yousecretly crave but have been
afraid to admit.
For instance, if your answer isstart my own business, that
doesn't mean you should quittomorrow.
But it might mean exploring aside hustle or taking small
steps toward independence.
SPEAKER_01 (15:41):
Levon McKyver-James shares the proven strategies
behind her brand breakthroughsystem.
Learn how to think like aleader, craft your unique value
proposition, and tell a storythat commands attention.
Whether you're looking to standout in your current role or land
your next big opportunity, thisbook is your guide to taking
control of your career and yourfuture.
Don't wait for success to findyou.
(16:03):
Create it.
Get your copy of Think Like aLeader to build a career brand
that accelerates your successtoday and start building the
brand and life you deserve.
Available on Amazon.
SPEAKER_00 (16:15):
So back to asking questions to help you get
unstuck in your career.
Our next question is (16:20):
if you stay on your current path for
five more years, how does thatfeel?
The answer to this questionforces you to confront the
reality of staying stagnant.
It helps separate temporaryfrustration from deep
dissatisfaction.
Think of it this way (16:34):
if five more years sounds unbearable,
change is necessary.
Now, also your answer to if youstay on your current path for
five more years, how does thatfeel?
Allows you to visualize thelong-term consequences of
inaction.
To give an example, if yourreaction is dread, then it's a
sign you need a shift.
Whether that means a new role, anew company, or a complete
(16:56):
career transition.
Last question, what's one thingyou've always wanted to do but
never pursued?
The answer to this questionuncovers long suppressed
ambitions that could lead toyour next breakthrough and helps
you differentiate fleetinginterests from persistent
passions.
To give an illustration, ifyou've always wanted to be a
speaker or writer, maybe it'stime to start a LinkedIn
(17:19):
newsletter or volunteer for aspeaking engagement.
In the end, clarity doesn't comefrom thinking, it comes from
action.
And sometimes the best way tofind your next step is to
experiment with small changesrather than waiting for a
perfect answer.
So let's take the first step.
What is one small thing you cando this week to break out of
(17:41):
your stuckness?
Here are a few ideas.
Talk to someone in a job youadmire.
Update your LinkedIn or resumeto reflect the job you want, not
just the job you have.
Take an online course insomething you're curious about.
Send an email to someone youhaven't networked with in a
while.
Ask your manager for a newproject or responsibility.
(18:01):
Even the smallest action can bea catalyst for something bigger.
SPEAKER_03 (18:05):
This is your way through.
SPEAKER_00 (18:19):
Most of us think about our careers as a straight
path.
Step A leads to step B, whichleads to step C.
But in reality, careers aremessy, nonlinear, and full of
pivots.
Reframing your career meansletting go of the idea that you
have to follow a single script.
You get to edit your story asmany times as you want.
So I'd like to end with anaffirmation.
(18:40):
Repeat after me.
I am not stuck.
I am in a season of discovery.
Every experience, even this one,is leading me to where I'm meant
to be.
Thank you for joining me todayon the Mid Career Makeover Show.
If this episode resonated withyou, share it with someone who
(19:00):
needs to hear it.
And don't forget to subscribe,leave a review.
Until next time, dream big, takebold action, and own your
success, because the best is yetto come.
Now your child's behind ya.
But wisdom thing again.
Pat turn on fire.
You've got stories to tell anddreams to inspire.
Rise above the noise.
SPEAKER_00 (00:27):
Take your place, hide.
The Mid Career Makeover Show.
This episode of the Mid CareerMakeover Show is sponsored by
the Brand Breakthrough System.
SPEAKER_04 (00:38):
Tired of being the best kept secret in your
industry, it's time to build abrand that gets you noticed.
Go from invisible toirresistible in 90 days with the
brand breakthrough system.
In just 90 days.
Whether you're job searching,pivoting, or aiming higher, this
system gives you the strategyand confidence to own your
career all in just 90 days.
(01:00):
Ready to break through?
Learn more atBrandbreakthroughsystem.com.
Step up, stand out, and lead.
Your career is worth it.
SPEAKER_01 (01:09):
Are you ready to break through the noise and
build a career that trulyreflects your potential?
In Think Like a Leader to builda career brand that accelerates
your success.
Levon McKyver James shares theproven strategies behind her
brand breakthrough system.
Learn how to think like aleader, craft your unique value
proposition, and tell a storythat commands attention.
(01:30):
Whether you're looking to standout in your current role or land
your next big opportunity, thisbook is your guide to taking
control of your career and yourfuture.
Don't wait for success to findyou.
Create it.
Get your copy of Think Like aLeader to build a career brand
that accelerates your successtoday and start building the
brand and life you deserve.
(01:50):
Available on Amazon.
SPEAKER_00 (01:52):
Welcome to the Mid-Career Makeover Show.
I'm Lavon James, your guide tonavigating the twists and turns
of mid-career growth,reinvention, and success.
If you're feeling stuck orunsure about your next move,
then this episode is for you.
Today, we're diving deep,psychologically, emotionally,
and strategically, into what itmeans to be stuck in your career
(02:13):
and more importantly, how tofind clarity and take action.
So whether you're feelingstagnant, questioning your
purpose, or just unsure aboutthe next step, grab a cup of
coffee, find a quiet space, andlet's get to work on getting you
unstuck.
Let's start with a toughquestion.
Why do we get stuck?
(02:34):
The feeling of being stuck isoften psychological before it is
situational.
Yes, you might have a job thatisn't fulfilling, a boss that
doesn't appreciate you, or anindustry that feels like it's
leaving you behind.
But those are externalmanifestations of an internal
struggle.
Feeling lost in your career isoften a battle between who you
(02:55):
are versus who you think youshould be, what you want versus
what you've been conditioned towant.
Your comfort zone versus yourpotential.
When we hit mid-career, we areoften carrying years, sometimes
decades, of expectations fromour families, our industry, and
even our younger selves.
We wake up one day and realizethis isn't what I expected my
(03:18):
career to feel like.
And that realization isterrifying.
Because if we acknowledge thatwe're unhappy, then what?
Our brains are wired to keep usin familiar patterns, even if
those patterns are unfulfilling.
Why?
Because the unknown is scary.
It triggers fear, anxiety, anduncertainty.
This is why people stay incareers they hate, relationships
(03:40):
that drain them, or cities thatno longer feel like home.
But here's the hard truth (03:43):
the fear of change is often greater
than the change itself.
SPEAKER_01 (03:49):
Are you ready to break through the noise and
build a career that trulyreflects your potential?
In Think Like a Leader to builda career brand that accelerates
your success, Levon McKyverJames shares the proven
strategies behind her brandbreakthrough system.
Learn how to think like aleader, craft your unique value
proposition, and tell a storythat commands attention.
(04:09):
Whether you're looking to standout in your current role or land
your next big opportunity, thisbook is your guide to taking
control of your career and yourfuture.
Don't wait for success to findyou.
Create it.
Get your copy of Think Like aLeader to build a career brand
that accelerates your successtoday, and start building the
brand and life you deserve.
(04:29):
Available on Amazon.
SPEAKER_00 (04:31):
Welcome back.
We're discussing what it meansto be stuck in your career.
So psychologists have identifiedkey cognitive biases that make
change harder and staying stuckseemingly easier.
One of these biases is thestatus quo bias.
That's when you prefer things tostay the same, even when they're
not serving you.
(04:52):
Loss aversion is anothercognitive bias.
That's when the fear of losingwhat you have is stronger than
the desire to gain somethingbetter.
And then there's impostersyndrome, which is feeling like
you don't deserve to moveforward.
If you recall, we coveredovercoming imposter syndrome in
a previous episode of themid-career makeover show The
Good News.
(05:12):
These biases can be unlearned.
Let's break it down.
To unlearn status quo bias,start by challenging your
autopilot thinking.
Ask yourself, am I staying inthis role because it's truly
right for me, or just becauseit's familiar?
Instead of defaulting to this ishow things are, try small
experiments with change.
(05:33):
A new skill, a networking call,a side project.
The more you step outside yourcomfort zone, the more your
brain adapts to change ratherthan resisting it.
With loss aversion bias, thefear of loss is powerful.
But so should be the fear ofstaying stuck.
If you're trying to overcomeloss aversion bias, flip the
(05:54):
script by asking, what's thebigger risk?
Losing what I have or nevergoing after what I truly want.
Instead of focusing on what youmight lose, visualize what you
stand to gain.
A better job, more fulfillment,a career that excites you again.
Make a reverse pros and conslist.
(06:15):
What do you lose by not making amove?
For imposter syndrome bias, Iknow rewiring imposter syndrome
can be difficult, that's why Idevoted an entire episode to it.
But if you've ever felt like youdon't deserve to move forward,
remind yourself success isn'tabout perfection, it's about
growth.
When self-doubt creeps in,reframe your inner dialogue.
(06:37):
Instead of I'm not ready, tellyourself, I'm learning as I go.
Keep an achievement journal.
Every time you doubt yourself,read it.
And remember, the people youadmire once felt like impostors
too.
The bottom line, your brain canbe retrained.
These biases are habits ofthinking, not life sentences.
(07:00):
So, which bias one do youstruggle with most?
Think about it.
Name it, challenge it, and takeone step, just one, toward
proving that your next move ispossible.
SPEAKER_04 (07:12):
Tired of being the best kept secret in your
industry?
It's time to build a brand thatgets you noticed.
Go from invisible toirresistible in 90 days with the
brand breakthrough system.
In just 90 days.
Whether you're job searching,pivoting, or aiming higher, this
system gives you the strategyand confidence to own your
career all in just 90 days.
(07:33):
Ready to break through?
Learn more atBrandbreakthroughsystem.com.
Step up, stand out, and lead.
Your career is worth it.
SPEAKER_01 (07:43):
Are you ready to break through the noise and
build a career that trulyreflects your potential?
In Think Like a Leader to builda career brand that accelerates
your success.
Levon McKyver James shares theproven strategies behind her
brand breakthrough system.
Learn how to think like aleader, craft your unique value
proposition, and tell a storythat commands attention.
(08:04):
Whether you're looking to standout in your current role or land
your next big opportunity, thisbook is your guide to taking
control of your career and yourfuture.
Don't wait for success to findyou.
Create it.
Get your copy of Think Like aLeader to build a career brand
that accelerates your successtoday and start building the
brand and life you deserve.
(08:24):
Available on Amazon.
SPEAKER_00 (08:26):
Welcome back to the Mid-Career Makeover Show, where
we are talking about overcomingthe feeling of being stuck in
your career.
In order to overcome stagnation,we must recognize the roots of
emotional stagnation.
Sometimes feeling stuck is notabout your job at all.
It's about emotional patternsyou haven't addressed.
Maybe you fear disappointingyour family.
(08:46):
Maybe you struggle withself-worth.
Maybe you are so accustomed tooverworking that you don't know
what a fulfilling career evenlooks like anymore.
If you feel stuck, don't justanalyze your job.
Analyze your emotionalrelationship with work.
Ask yourself, what emotionalpayoff am I getting from staying
stuck?
Even frustration can become acomfort zone if it's all you've
(09:08):
known.
What does stuck look like foryou?
Let's personalize this.
I want you to ask yourself, whatpart of my career feels the most
frustrating?
What do I want that I don't haveright now?
What story am I telling myselfabout why I can't change?
Take a moment to answer these.
It's important.
SPEAKER_03 (09:27):
This is your way to go away.
Better not go away.
SPEAKER_00 (09:41):
Now let's talk about the different forms of stuck,
because not all stuckness is thesame.
The identity crisis.
Stuck is when you've been inyour industry for years, but it
no longer excites you.
You don't know if you want tostay, but you also don't know
what else you do.
You feel like you're losing apiece of yourself.
The fear-based stuck is when youhave an idea of what you want,
(10:04):
but fear is stopping you.
Fear of failure, fear ofjudgment, fear of losing
financial stability.
There's also the overwhelmstuck, and that's when you have
too many options.
So instead of making a decision,you make none.
You analyze, research, and talkabout change, but you never
move.
The burnout stuck is when you'reso exhausted that you don't have
(10:26):
the energy to think about thefuture.
Your only goal is to survive thework week.
You don't need a new career, youneed a break.
And then there's the goldenhandcuffs stuck.
Here.
You make good money, but you'remiserable.
You feel trapped because yourlifestyle depends on your
current salary.
Which one resonates with you themost?
Because knowing what kind ofstuck you are helps you know how
(10:49):
to move forward.
SPEAKER_04 (10:50):
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In just 90 days.
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(11:12):
Ready to break through?
Learn more atBrandbreakthroughsystem.com.
Step up, stand out, and lead.
Your career is worth it.
SPEAKER_01 (11:22):
Are you ready to break through the noise and
build a career that trulyreflects your potential?
In Think Like a Leader to builda career brand that accelerates
your success, Levon McKyverJames shares the proven
strategies behind her brandbreakthrough system.
Learn how to think like aleader, craft your unique value
proposition, and tell a storythat commands attention.
(11:42):
Whether you're looking to standout in your current role or land
your next big opportunity, thisbook is your guide to taking
control of your career and yourfuture.
Don't wait for success to findyou.
Create it.
Get your copy of Think Like aLeader to build a career brand
that accelerates your successtoday, and start building the
brand and life you deserve.
(12:02):
Available on Amazon.
SPEAKER_00 (12:04):
Welcome back to the Mid Career Makeover Show.
Now that we know what stuck is,let's discuss how to get
unstuck.
The first step to gettingunstuck is clarity, because you
can't move forward if you don'tknow where you're going.
Let's do an exercise.
Grab a notebook and write youranswers to these.
Number one, what are threecareer moments that made you
(12:25):
feel deeply fulfilled?
Three career moments that madeyou feel deeply fulfilled.
Number two, what do people cometo you for advice about?
What do people come to you foradvice about number three?
If you could start over with nofear, what would you do?
If you could start over with nofear, what would you do?
(12:46):
Number four.
If you stay on your current pathfor five more years, how does
that feel?
If you stay on your current pathfor five more years, how does
that feel?
Number five, what's one thingyou've always wanted to do but
never pursued?
What's one thing you've alwayswanted to do but never pursued?
SPEAKER_03 (13:06):
This is your way through.
Here lays the doubt, bend.
SPEAKER_00 (13:21):
These questions are designed to bring self-awareness
and clarity by helping youidentify patterns, values, and
inner desires that may be buriedunder routine, external
expectations or fear.
Let's break down how each onehelps you gain clarity in your
career.
Number one.
What are three career momentsthat made you feel deeply
(13:42):
fulfilled?
This question is importantbecause the answer identifies
what truly energizes and excitesyou in your work.
It helps you recognize certainthemes.
Do they involve leadership,creativity, problem solving,
helping others, or learning newskills?
The answer to what are threecareer moments that made you
feel deeply fulfilled helps toshow where you felt aligned with
(14:05):
your purpose, helping you movetoward more fulfilling work.
For example, if your fulfillingmoments all involved mentoring
junior employees, maybeleadership or coaching should be
part of your next career move.
The next question, number two,what do people come to you for
advice about?
Your answer to what do peoplecome to you for advice about
(14:25):
reveals your natural strengthsthat others already recognize.
It also shows the areas whereyou add value effortlessly.
These might be hidden talentsyou take for granted.
The answer to what do peoplecome to you for advice about
also helps determine careerdirections.
If people ask for help withstrategy, maybe you have
leadership potential.
If they seek emotional support,you might excel in a
(14:47):
people-oriented role.
An example could be (14:49):
if colleagues constantly ask you
for writing advice, but you'reworking in finance, maybe a
shift toward content strategy,marketing, or communications is
worth exploring.
Let's go to question numberthree.
If you could start over with nofear, what would you do?
The answer to this questionallows you to acknowledge dreams
(15:10):
you've dismissed due to fear,financial constraints, or
societal pressure.
It can highlight a direction yousecretly crave but have been
afraid to admit.
For instance, if your answer isstart my own business, that
doesn't mean you should quittomorrow.
But it might mean exploring aside hustle or taking small
steps toward independence.
SPEAKER_01 (15:41):
Levon McKyver-James shares the proven strategies
behind her brand breakthroughsystem.
Learn how to think like aleader, craft your unique value
proposition, and tell a storythat commands attention.
Whether you're looking to standout in your current role or land
your next big opportunity, thisbook is your guide to taking
control of your career and yourfuture.
Don't wait for success to findyou.
(16:03):
Create it.
Get your copy of Think Like aLeader to build a career brand
that accelerates your successtoday and start building the
brand and life you deserve.
Available on Amazon.
SPEAKER_00 (16:15):
So back to asking questions to help you get
unstuck in your career.
Our next question is (16:20):
if you stay on your current path for
five more years, how does thatfeel?
The answer to this questionforces you to confront the
reality of staying stagnant.
It helps separate temporaryfrustration from deep
dissatisfaction.
Think of it this way (16:34):
if five more years sounds unbearable,
change is necessary.
Now, also your answer to if youstay on your current path for
five more years, how does thatfeel?
Allows you to visualize thelong-term consequences of
inaction.
To give an example, if yourreaction is dread, then it's a
sign you need a shift.
Whether that means a new role, anew company, or a complete
(16:56):
career transition.
Last question, what's one thingyou've always wanted to do but
never pursued?
The answer to this questionuncovers long suppressed
ambitions that could lead toyour next breakthrough and helps
you differentiate fleetinginterests from persistent
passions.
To give an illustration, ifyou've always wanted to be a
speaker or writer, maybe it'stime to start a LinkedIn
(17:19):
newsletter or volunteer for aspeaking engagement.
In the end, clarity doesn't comefrom thinking, it comes from
action.
And sometimes the best way tofind your next step is to
experiment with small changesrather than waiting for a
perfect answer.
So let's take the first step.
What is one small thing you cando this week to break out of
(17:41):
your stuckness?
Here are a few ideas.
Talk to someone in a job youadmire.
Update your LinkedIn or resumeto reflect the job you want, not
just the job you have.
Take an online course insomething you're curious about.
Send an email to someone youhaven't networked with in a
while.
Ask your manager for a newproject or responsibility.
(18:01):
Even the smallest action can bea catalyst for something bigger.
SPEAKER_03 (18:05):
This is your way through.
SPEAKER_00 (18:19):
Most of us think about our careers as a straight
path.
Step A leads to step B, whichleads to step C.
But in reality, careers aremessy, nonlinear, and full of
pivots.
Reframing your career meansletting go of the idea that you
have to follow a single script.
You get to edit your story asmany times as you want.
So I'd like to end with anaffirmation.
(18:40):
Repeat after me.
I am not stuck.
I am in a season of discovery.
Every experience, even this one,is leading me to where I'm meant
to be.
Thank you for joining me todayon the Mid Career Makeover Show.
If this episode resonated withyou, share it with someone who
(19:00):
needs to hear it.
And don't forget to subscribe,leave a review.
Until next time, dream big, takebold action, and own your
success, because the best is yetto come.
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