What Do I Do Next? A Roadmap for Career clarity
If you’re feeling burnt out, stuck, or simply uncertain about what comes next in your career, you're not alone. Many professionals at some point in their career sit back and ask “What do I do next?” after years of successfully climbing the career ladder but now feeling a loss of spark, burnout, or hitting a ceiling.
Whether you’re passed over for promotions, looking for a new job, or unsure why you’ve lost your enthusiasm, it is completely valid to feel intense frustration, perhaps even panic over not having the answers you’re looking for.
Breathe. This is the moment where you can use self-discovery.
As a coach who specializes in working with clients in the exact same position, I know how hard it is to face these questions, especially when you're not sure what direction to take. It’s easy to feel distracted by the endless options, opportunities, and “easy apply” buttons online. Social media has made it both easier and harder to find clarity, especially when you see everyone else making career moves, countless #opentoworkbanners and layoff news every other week. TikTok has made career advice even more available, with one influencer sharing tips while another countering with their own “expertise”.
You may feel uncertain, and not sure if you're ready to take that leap. The pressure is real, and the uncertainty can be paralyzing.
But here's the real truth: despite the buzzing you see all around you, it’s totally okay to not know exactly what you want next as long as you allow yourself to be open to figuring it out. I’m here to tell you that you can find your way out of this fog. By intentionally focusing on self-discovery, you can start to uncover what truly excites and fulfills you—leading to a a clear career path that reignites your drive, motivation and passion.
In this blog, I’ll share a process to help you begin this self-reflection journey, including exercises that will guide you toward clarity and ultimately, your next steps.
Understanding the Process of Self-Discovery: What’s Going on in Your Mind?
The root of feeling overwhelmed in your career often stems from uncertainty. You’ve been successful up until now, but you’ve lost your spark, and you’re questioning your future. The options for what to do next seem endless, but you're unsure which one feels right. It’s easy to feel stuck between the pull of new opportunities and the weight of indecision. It’s important to pause here and recognize that you don’t have to have all the answers right away.
It’s a process. The journey to self-discovery is about exploring your values, skills, interests, and the deeper purpose behind your work. It’s about taking the time to explore what resonates with you on a soul-deep level, not just what’s available or what’s easy. Yes, it’s an uncomfortable space to be in—but it’s also a necessary one in order to find a path that aligns with your true self.
The Overwhelm of Too Many Choices
In today’s world, distractions are everywhere. Job postings flood your inbox, LinkedIn reminds you of potential connections, and friends and family give unsolicited advice. It’s easy to get caught in the whirlwind of choices, especially if you’re not clear on your next move. But here’s where a simple trick can make all the difference: limit your job search or career exploration to what you really want.
Coach’s Tip: Before diving back into job boards, create a list of qualifiers that will help you sift through the noise. What are the qualities or criteria that matter most to you? What environment or type of work will make you thrive? This simple list will help you focus your energy on jobs or career moves that truly align with your goals.
When I work with clients in this situation, we take a step back from the job search process and focus on the underlying question: What do you truly want to do next? And more importantly, What do you need to get there?
1. Start with Self-Reflection: Uncover Your Talents and Passions
The first step is to reflect on your core talents and passions. What are you really good at, and how are you currently expressing those strengths in your life and work? Often, burnout stems from the mismatch between what we’re capable of and how we’re currently applying our skills. The exercise below will help you clarify where you’re using your natural gifts and where there’s room for more fulfillment.
Exercise: List Your Talents and How You Use Them
On a piece of paper or in a journal, create two columns.
In the first column, list your core talents and skills (e.g., writing, leading, problem-solving, mentoring).
In the second column, note how you’re currently using them in your job and in your personal life.
Ask yourself:
What talents are you using the most?
Which ones do you feel you could be expressing more of?
Are there any skills you have that you haven’t had the chance to use recently?
Reflecting on these answers will help you begin to spot patterns that can guide your next career move.
2. Create a Table of Your Past Roles and Their Impact
Another useful exercise is to evaluate the work you’ve done in the past. By reviewing each position and how it made you feel, you can begin to spot trends and uncover what’s truly important to you. This exercise helps you step away from just looking at job titles and really examine the qualities of each role that shaped your career.
Exercise: Reflect on Your Past Jobs
Create a table with the following columns:
Past Position
Impact on You
Impact on Others
What You Liked/Disliked About It
Take your time to fill in the table with as much detail as possible. What did you learn in each role? How did each position help you grow or feel fulfilled? What parts of those roles did you enjoy, and what did you wish you could change? This exercise provides valuable insight into what types of work environments and roles truly resonate with you.
Case Study: A Client Who Found Their Path
One of my clients, Melanie, came to me feeling burnt out and lost in her career. She was a high performer, but her promotions had plateaued, and she felt like she had no energy left for her job. We worked through the exercises above, and she soon realized that what she craved most was creativity and leadership opportunities, which had been lacking in her current position. After our sessions, she began focusing on positions that offered both, and within a few months, she secured a new role at a company that truly aligned with her passion for innovation. The process of self-discovery helped her realize what had been missing—and what she needed to thrive.
3. Narrow Down Your Options and Trust Your Intuition
Now that you’ve done some deep self-reflection, it’s time to narrow down your options. You might still be unsure about the specifics of your next career move, but you have a better sense of what feels aligned with your values, interests, and strengths. Trust yourself to take the next step. A key part of the process is learning to listen to your gut and move with intention.
Coach’s Tip: At this point, it’s important to stop focusing on “perfect” and instead look for a role that will bring you closer to the things you value most. Sometimes the right job doesn’t fit all the boxes, but it’s the one that will set you on a path toward greater fulfillment.
Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Career?
If you're feeling stuck, burnt out, or simply unsure of what comes next, you don’t have to go through it alone. As a career coach, I specialize in helping professionals like you navigate through uncertainty and discover a path that feels aligned with your strengths and passions. Whether you’re looking to make a career change, overcome burnout, or reignite your passion for work, I’m here to help guide you every step of the way.
Interested in learning more about how coaching can help you get clarity on your next move? Check out my coaching packages to see how we can work together to unlock your potential and create a roadmap for your next career chapter. Let’s start this journey together—book a consultation today!