Do you feel like you’re just going through the motions at work? Maybe your job doesn’t seem to have a real impact, or it lacks meaning beyond the company you work for. You start wondering what else you could do, how you’d make a living doing it, and whether leaving would actually make you feel more fulfilled.
I’ve been there. When I left my corporate job, I felt lost. Then, three years later, I felt the same way after leading a company I co-founded. And again, five years after that, when I decided to sell my online business. Each time, I had to figure out my next move.
Through trial and error, I developed a four-step process to get unstuck and rediscover what I truly wanted. If you’re feeling lost at work, these steps can help you, too.
Step 1: Reconnect with Your Interests
When you’ve been feeling lost at work for a while, it can drain your motivation. You might lose interest in hobbies or things you once enjoyed. But work isn’t all that you are, and it’s time to reconnect with what lights you up.
Instead of staring at a blank page trying to brainstorm career ideas, start with what already interests you. Ask yourself:
- What books do I read for fun? Check your bookshelf or Kindle library.
- What YouTube channels do I subscribe to?
- What podcasts do I listen to?
- What TV shows or magazines do I enjoy?
- What hobbies do I have (or used to have)?
These are topics you naturally gravitate toward, the things you could talk about for hours. Even if they don’t seem like career options yet, reconnecting with them can help you see new possibilities.
Step 2: Identify Work That Energizes You
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” But there’s also the opposite argument: “Never turn your hobby into a job, or you’ll hate it.” So what’s right for you?
Instead of focusing on an industry, focus on the daily tasks you enjoy. There are two key ways to approach this.
1. Flow state tasks
What tasks make time disappear for you? Flow happens when something is engaging – challenging but not overwhelming. For me, I get into flow when creating content, leading workshops, and designing strategies. But not all writing puts me in flow; fiction writing feels completely different from writing non-fiction.
2. Tasks you simply enjoy
Maybe you love analyzing numbers, organizing events, or solving inefficiencies. They don’t have to be flow-inducing; they just have to feel satisfying.
Make a list of tasks that energize you. You’ll use this list in the next step.
Step 3: Define Your Ideal Work Environment
It’s not just what you do; where and how you do it matters just as much. A job you love in the wrong environment can still feel miserable.
To figure out what works for you, make a simple two-column list. In one column you have Likes and the other Dislikes. Then list all the things you like or don’t about different work environments.
Some of these may be non-negotiables. Maybe you never want to work night shifts, or you always want to be home to pick up your kids. Highlight those.
Check out my Activity: Finding Your Ideal Work Environment for prompts.
Step 4: Combine and Explore Your Options
Now, take everything you’ve written down – your interests, flow activities, preferred tasks, and ideal work environment – and start looking for patterns.
A simple way to explore possibilities is by making a grid. Put your tasks along one axis and your interests along another. See what jobs ideas come up.
| Interests \ Tasks | Writing | Analyzing Data | Teaching | Designing |
| Music | Music blogger | Music analyst | Music teacher | Album cover designer |
| Fitness | Fitness writer | Sports statistician | Personal trainer | Gym branding expert |
| Gaming | Game journalist | Data analyst for games | Game coach | Game UI designer |
This method helps you generate career ideas based on what already excites you. From here, you can:
- Look up job descriptions to see if the tasks appeal to you.
- Ask ChatGPT for job suggestions based on your list.
- Talk to people who are already in those roles.
Having real conversations with people in your target field is invaluable. When I started my tabletop gaming website, I mentioned it to friends and found out one of them had an automotive blog. His insights helped me avoid common pitfalls.
If no one in your immediate network does what you’re interested in, try:
- Posting in relevant Reddit communities.
- Sending direct messages on LinkedIn.
- Joining industry-specific online groups.
When you talk to someone, ask about both the good and bad aspects of their job. Every career has downsides, and you need to know if the trade-offs are worth it.
Test Before You Commit
Exploring career options doesn’t mean you have to quit your job immediately. You can:
- Shadow someone in the field for a day.
- Volunteer to gain experience.
- Freelance or start a side hustle on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
When I sold my tabletop gaming website, I was torn between two new paths: releasing music or starting a YouTube channel about fulfillment and work. I tested both. After six months, I decided to focus on this channel. Trying things out helped me make a confident choice.
What Comes Next?
This process can help you find a fulfilling career path, but there’s still the big question: Should you follow your passion or not? Check out my video all about it.
Until then, take a step forward. Start exploring. Because the perfect job for your past self may not be the right one for who you are now.
Watch the full video on YouTube