5 Signs You’re Ready to Take a Bold Leap in Your Career

You know that feeling when you’re staring at your career like it’s a lukewarm cup of coffee? It’s fine. It does the job. But it’s not exactly inspiring.

Maybe you’ve been thinking, “Something needs to change.” Maybe you’re bored, stuck, or just going through the motions, waiting for some magical sign to tell you what to do next. 

Spoiler alert: That sign is probably not going to appear in the form of a neon billboard saying QUIT YOUR JOB AND FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS (and even if it did, let’s be honest, you’d probably keep driving). 

But lucky for you, there are some clear signals that you’re ready for a change—you just have to notice them.

Here’s the thing: Staying in a job that no longer excites you might feel safer than taking a risk, but deep down, you know it’s not where you’re meant to be. So if you’ve been waiting for permission to make a bold move, consider this your personal invitation.

Let’s talk about the five biggest signs that it’s time to stop waiting and start moving toward a career that actually lights you up.

Sign #1: You’re more frustrated than fulfilled

You used to feel some excitement about your work. Maybe you even loved it at one point. But now? Every Sunday night feels like a countdown to doom and you spend more time fantasizing about quitting than actually doing your job.

Here’s the kicker: On the outside, everything looks fine. You’re good at what you do. Maybe you’re even successful by most people’s standards. But inside? You’re so over it. The work that once challenged you now bores and annoys you. You’re checking all the boxes, but none of it feels meaningful anymore.

And let’s be real—this isn’t just a bad week or a rough month. This feeling has been creeping in for months (or years), and no amount of “maybe I just need a vacation” is fixing it.

How to tell if your career is draining you

If you’re constantly asking yourself questions like:
✔ Why am I even doing this anymore?
✔ Shouldn’t I feel more satisfied at this stage?
✔ Am I just burnt out, or is this actually the wrong path?

Then congratulations (and also, I’m sorry) — You’re officially in the more frustrated than fulfilled club. And once you’ve hit this stage, no promotion, pay raise, or “fun” team-building event is going to bring back the spark.

✅ Action Step: Identify what’s missing in your career

Before you burn everything to the ground (tempting, I know), take a second to figure out what’s actually wrong. Ask yourself:

• Do I feel unchallenged? Do I need growth or a new direction?

• Have my values shifted, and does my current career no longer align?

• Is it the job itself, or is it the toxic work culture, the leadership, or the lack of leadership?

Clarity is power. Once you know what’s missing, you can stop cycling through frustration and start making intentional moves toward something better.

Because, let’s be honest—you’re not meant to just tolerate your career. You’re meant to thrive in it. And if that’s not happening, it might be time for a bold leap.

Sign #2: You Keep Saying, “Something Needs to Change” (But Nothing Does)

You’ve had this same conversation with yourself a million bazillion times.

“I can’t keep doing this.”
“Maybe I should start looking for something else.”
“This isn’t sustainable.”

And yet… here you are. Same job. Same routine. Same frustration. Like Groundhog’s Day (if you haven’t seen the movie, DUDE).

At this point, you’ve practically become your own broken record. You know you need to make a change, but every time you think about actually doing it, you hit a wall. Maybe it’s fear. Maybe it’s uncertainty. Maybe you’re just exhausted and the idea of figuring out what’s next sounds like a lot of work.

So instead, you push through another day. Another week. Another quarter. And suddenly, it’s been years, and you’re still having the same “I need to make a change” conversation with yourself. And everyone around you is tired of hearing you complain. 

How to know if you’re stuck in career limbo

If this sounds familiar, you might be in what I like to call career limbo—the stage where you know you’re ready for something new, but you keep talking yourself out of taking action. Signs you’re here:

✔ You keep telling yourself “it’s not the right time” (but you’ve been saying that for months… or years)
✔ You stay because you’re comfortable—even though you’re not actually happy
✔ You take small steps (updating your resume, scrolling job listings, fantasizing about quitting) but never actually move forward

Here’s the truth: If you’ve been stuck in this loop for a while, it’s not because you don’t want change. It’s because something is keeping you from making the leap.

✅ Action Step: Identify what’s really holding you back

If you’ve been saying “something needs to change” forever but haven’t taken action, it’s time for some honesty:

• Are you afraid of making the wrong move? (Newsflash: Staying stuck is a decision)

• Are you waiting for permission? (Spoiler: No one’s going to do that for you)

• Are you scared of what people will think if you take a different path?

The good news? The fact that you keep thinking about change means you’re ready for it. Your gut knows—it’s just waiting for you to catch up.

The question is: Are you finally going to listen?

Sign #3: You envy people who took risks

You know those people who made a big career pivot, started their own business, or finally went after the thing they actually wanted? You can’t stop thinking about them.

Maybe you follow them on LinkedIn, binge-watch their podcasts, or constantly find yourself wondering, What if I did that? 

But instead of feeling inspired, you feel… stuck. You tell yourself they had something you don’t—more confidence, better timing, a financial safety net. Meanwhile, you’re still grinding away, wishing you had the guts to do the same.

Here’s the thing: That envy? It’s not a bad thing. It’s actually a sign. It’s your brain’s way of waving a giant flag that says, Hey! Pay attention! This is what you really want. Let’s do it!

How to know if it’s time to take a career risk

If you’re constantly drawn to people who took a bold leap, ask yourself:

✔ Do I feel a little jealous when I see people making bold moves?
✔ Am I dismissing my own potential with “Yeah, but…” excuses?
✔ Do I wish I could do something different but feel like it’s too late?

✅ Action Step: Stop watching—Start exploring

Instead of passively envying people, study them. Reach out, ask questions, get curious about how they made their move. And most importantly, stop assuming they had some magical advantage. Chances are, they were just as scared—but they did it anyway.

And so can you.

Sign #4: You’ve outgrown your role (but no one notices)

You’re still performing. You’re still checking the boxes. Maybe you’re even still getting praise. But deep down, you know you've outgrown this.

The challenges that once excited you now feel routine. You’re constantly waiting for the next level, but it’s either not coming or, worse, it’s not something you actually want.

Maybe you’ve even been promoted recently, but instead of feeling energized, you’re just… meh. Like, This is it?

Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Career

✔ You could do your job in your sleep.
✔ Promotions and raises don’t excite you anymore.
✔ You’re craving more challenge, growth, or purpose—but don’t see a clear path forward.

✅Action Step: Get honest about your next move

If you’ve been waiting for your company to notice that you’re ready for more, here’s a reality check: That’s not their job. It’s yours.

So ask yourself:

• Do I want to level up here, or do I need a new challenge altogether?

• Am I staying because it’s comfortable or because it’s actually right for me?

Because if you’ve already outgrown this role, staying won’t make it exciting again.

Sign #5: Fear of change is the only thing holding you back

Let’s be real—if you knew it would work out okay, you’d probably have already made a move.

But this fear thing, man. It’s keeping you frozen.

Fear of making the wrong choice. Fear of leaving behind a stable paycheck. Fear of what people will think. Fear of regretting it. Fear it will be really super hard.

And sure, those fears feel valid. But here’s the real question:

Are you more afraid of making a move… or of missing out on something amazing?

You can do the hard thing (even if it’s scary as f*ck)

The day I quit my corporate job to go full-time in my business, I was sh*tting my pants in fear. I remember standing in the kitchen with my husband, about to get on a call with my supervisor to have THE TALK, and my whole body was shaking.

After all, I wasn’t exactly a “take-the-leap” kind of gal. I was a “safety-first, have-a-backup-plan, analyze-every-possible-outcome, and-make-sure-it’s-definitely-gonna-work-out” kind of lady. I had spent years building my career, playing by the rules, doing the responsible thing.

And yet—there I was. Phone in hand. Heart pounding. About to step into the unknown.

And guess what? I did it anyway.

Not because I wasn’t scared (I was terrified). Not because I had everything perfectly figured out (I didn’t). But because I knew deep down that staying where I was would be the bigger regret.

✅ Action Step: Shift your focus from fear to possibility

Instead of asking, “What if it goes wrong?”, ask, “What if it goes right?”

Because here’s the truth: No one who took a bold leap had a 100% guarantee it would work out. But they knew one thing—you can’t grow if you never move.

So, what’s scarier: Trying something new or staying exactly where you are?

How to gain career clarity and take action with confidence

If you’ve read this far and felt called out (in the best way), chances are—you’re ready for something more.

The good news? Taking a bold leap doesn’t mean making a reckless decision. It means taking intentional, strategic steps toward a career that actually excites you.

How to stop feeling stuck in your career and move forward

✔ Identify exactly what’s making you feel stuck
✔ Challenge your fears and limiting beliefs
✔ Start small—reach out to people, explore options, and test ideas
✔ Remember: Action builds clarity. Overthinking doesn’t

But let’s be honest—if you could figure this out on your own, you probably would have by now.

That’s where I come in.

Work with a career coach to make your next bold move

I have a pretty weird career history. Not a lot of people have worked as a licensed therapist AND in Corporate America. But it makes me pretty great at what I do. Because I not only know what it’s like to work in a corporate environment, I also know how psychology plays into success and happiness in your career.

I work one-on-one with high-achievers like you to help you take control of your life and career, break through fear, and move forward with courage and boldness. If you’re ready to stop spinning in indecision and start taking real, confident action toward the career (and life) you actually want, let’s talk.

🚀 Apply for coaching today. We’ll book a free coaching consultation call to see if working together makes sense and map out your next bold move.

This is your moment. Are you ready to take it?

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Hi! I’m Erica

Licensed psychotherapist. Corporate dropout. Wife to Brendan. Mom to twins + one. ADHDer. Slow runner. Coffee drinker. Swear words enthusiast.

I know exactly what it’s like to have a life that looks successful on the outside but feel chronically exhausted, frustrated, and completely lost on the inside.

I help underachieving high-achievers create lives and careers they love, without burning out.

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