Stuck Is Not Broken: Rethinking Success, Risk, and the Work You Love

When the Safe Path Becomes the Stuck Path: A Reflection on Reclaiming Your Career

If you're feeling stuck in your career right now, I want to say something upfront: it's not because you're lazy, or unmotivated, or incapable. It's because the systems we live and work in weren’t designed for fulfillment — they were designed for survival, conformity, and predictability. The truth is, there are many brilliant, hardworking people sitting in roles they’ve outgrown, silenced by fear and self-doubt, and feeling like their spark is slowly slipping away.

This past week, I had a number of deeply honest conversations with clients who are ready — truly ready — to step into more. They want to work. They want to contribute. They want to build meaningful careers. But they’re stuck. And the more I listen, the more I see how it's not just the job or the industry holding them back — it’s the fear of stepping outside the safe, familiar path.

Why We Get Stuck

We often think staying in a secure role — even one that drains us — is the “mature” choice. We tell ourselves we’re being responsible, realistic, practical. But after working with so many people navigating these decisions, I’ve realised something important: the “safe” path isn’t always safe. In fact, it can quietly become the most dangerous place — where you risk losing your curiosity, your confidence, and your sense of possibility.

There’s a phrase I often come back to: You can fail at something you hate, so you might as well take the chance to succeed at something you love. I’ve seen people burned out in stable roles, where the salary arrived each month but the joy never did. And I’ve seen people come alive again by following an interest — even a small one — and letting it lead them toward something far more fulfilling.

Comfort Zones and Real Growth

True growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone. It happens when we’re unsure, stretching ourselves, opening up to risk and reward. That’s why one of the biggest shifts I encourage is learning to feel more comfortable being uncomfortable. That edge — where fear meets possibility — is where transformation happens.

Steven Bartlett backstage at the London Palladium prior to his first entrance in Diary of a CEO Live | Photo © Darren Bell

I’ve learned this not only through my clients, but in my own work — for example, in my time collaborating with Steven Bartlett. Steven is someone who lives by the principle of stretching yourself beyond what’s comfortable. When I had the chance to work with him to create a live version of his Diary of a CEO podcast (and, oh boy, was it so much more than that!), what stood out most was his conviction that you don’t grow by doing what’s easy — you grow by doing what’s real. On his platform and in his interviews, he often says, “Stepping out of our comfort zone and taking on new challenges is where true growth occurs”. That’s not just a slogan — it’s a practice. And seeing how he applies that principle gave me a renewed appreciation for its truth.

Skill-Building and Saying "Yes"

Another vital piece of the puzzle is skill-building. But not in the rigid, linear way we’re often taught. Growth comes from saying “yes” to opportunities, even when they seem improbable, even when they don’t perfectly align with your current role or plan. Especially then.

That side project, that workshop, that mentorship offer, that one-off freelance gig — these are the things that plant seeds. They help you develop new muscles. They show you how other people work, how different industries approach problems. They break you out of siloed thinking and open up new ways of seeing the world. And sometimes, they unlock a door you didn’t even know existed.

The key is to stay curious. Don’t reject something just because it doesn’t “fit” neatly. It might be the very thing that takes you from stuck to inspired.

Security Fuels Creativity

We also can’t ignore the structural reality: when people are worried about housing, about affording food, about debt or childcare, they don’t have the mental bandwidth to be creative, let alone bold. Security isn’t a luxury — it’s a launchpad. That’s why government and policy must ensure working people have housing stability, access to healthcare, and basic protections. A stable, secure foundation is what allows people to take risks, start businesses, change careers, and invest in themselves.

And when people are supported like that, they do amazing things. They create, they innovate, they mentor others. It’s not just good for individuals — it’s good for the economy and for the culture of work as a whole.

What I’ve Learned (and What I Want You to Know)

If you’re stuck, it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It might mean you’ve outgrown your current environment. It might mean your potential is bumping up against the walls of a system that was never built for you to thrive in. But you’re not powerless.

Start small. Ask yourself: What would I do if I believed something better was possible? Then take one step in that direction.

Try something that feels exciting — and a little scary. Say “yes” to something that doesn’t make perfect sense, but feels like it might lead somewhere new. Build skills. Ask questions. Stay open.

And if you want support on that path, I’d love to help. You can learn more about how I work — and read about my collaboration with Steven Bartlett — on my website. I use tools, reflections, and coaching designed to help people like you reconnect with purpose, build skills, and take bold, informed steps forward.

Because here’s what I believe: careers are not ladders — they’re landscapes. There are multiple routes. There are hidden paths. Sometimes, you have to climb over a few fences to find them. But they’re there. And you’re allowed to take the scenic route, or the creative route, or the “I-have-no-idea-where-this-goes-but-I’m-curious” route.

And often, that’s where the magic lives.