Have you ever felt stuck in a swirl of overthinking—unsure whether you’re in the right role, but not quite sure what’s next either? That’s exactly where I found myself in my work life. I wasn’t burned out, but I wasn’t thriving. I had lost sight of what made me come alive. What I’ve learned since then is that clarity rarely shows up all at once. It begins with self-awareness, builds through alignment, and gets solidified through action. Here’s how that process unfolded for me—and how it might help you, too.
1. Self-Awareness: Start from the Inside Out
There’s so much noise out there. When you’re considering a shift in your work life, it can feel overwhelming.
When I sensed something needed to change, I kept looking for answers out there—personality tests, career inventories, books, podcasts. At one point, I’d taken 17 assessments. (MBTI for Careers, Johnson O’Connor, Working Genius, Enneagram, Principles You, The Four Tendencies, The 5 Voices… you name it.)
While I do believe assessments can offer insight, they’re limited. They help you see one angle—your strengths, working style, or personality—but they often lack clear, actionable direction.
Because the truth is, you’re a whole person. And no test can fully account for your nuance, complexity, or story.
The most effective approach I’ve found? Start from the inside out.
Ask:
- How did I get here?
- Where have I felt most alive, most aligned?
- What design has God uniquely given me that I haven’t fully seen yet?
No career test can answer those questions for you. But your story can.
2. Clarity: Sometimes You Just Need a Small Shift—Other Times, a Bold Move
Once you’ve done some digging into your story, you start to notice patterns—and possibilities.
Sometimes, like Bob Goff says, all you need is a “quarter twist”—a small, meaningful shift that brings things into better alignment with your God-given design.
Other times, the shift may need to be more significant. Either way, the goal isn’t to scrap everything—it’s to move toward greater alignment.
For me, clarity came when I realized that a few of the shifts I needed were more structure and more solo work in my work rhythm. These were essential elements of my best work that weren’t being met, and it left me feeling misaligned, frustrated, and—at times—ashamed.
Once I could name that, it was like a breath of fresh air. I knew what needed to change, and I had the confidence to move toward it.
3. Action: Don’t Get Stuck in the Overthinking Loop
Once you have clarity, you have to act.
As Marie Forleo puts it: “Clarity comes from action.”
I’m 100% for following God’s voice, but I’ve learned that sometimes we over-spiritualize indecision and call it “waiting on the Lord.”
If God’s clearly telling you to wait, by all means—wait. But if He’s not, it’s okay to try. Test something. Experiment. Take a small next step and see what fits.
Don’t get stuck in overthinking. Forward movement is often the very thing God uses to provide the next layer of clarity.
Ready for Deeper Alignment in your work life?
If this resonates with you, I’d love to support you.
- Download my free Mid-Career Reset guide on my website
- Or schedule a free consultation call to see if vocational coaching might be your next right step
You don’t have to stay stuck. There is a path forward—one that aligns with your story, your design, and your calling.
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