Feeling stuck in your career is more common than most people admit.
On paper, you might be doing well. You are competent, reliable and often the person others turn to when something needs to get done. Yet inside, you may feel flat, stalled or unsure what comes next.
You are not alone in this. In our work with women across industries and countries, we see the same patterns appear again and again. The good news is that once you can see what is keeping you stuck, you can begin to change it.
This article explores why women often get stuck in their careers and, more importantly, what you can do to start moving again.
Signs you might be stuck
You may be stuck if you notice some of the following:
- You have not progressed in role, scope or responsibility for some time
- You feel bored, underused or disconnected from your work
- You are working hard, but your efforts are not translating into visible advancement
- You are unsure what you actually want next, so you stay where you are
- You keep thinking about making a change, but take little or no action
None of this means you are failing. It simply means you have reached a point where your career needs more deliberate attention.
Reason 1: Lack of clear direction
It is difficult to move forward when you are not sure where you want to go.
Many women are so busy delivering on their current role that they have very little time to think about their longer term direction. Without a clear sense of what you want, it is easy to say yes to everything, react to whatever comes up, and stay in the same place by default.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What do I want my role to look like 12 to 24 months from now
- Do I want more leadership, more depth in my area of expertise, a change of function or a different organisation
- How do I want work to feel day to day
You do not need every detail. You do need a general direction that feels honest.
Reason 2: Visibility gaps
Working hard is not the same as being seen for the value you bring.
Women are often very strong on delivery and reliability, but less focused on strategic visibility. As a result, decision makers may not fully understand the scope of what they do, the impact they have, or the potential they hold.
Common visibility gaps include:
- Doing excellent work, but not communicating your achievements
- Staying in the background of projects instead of taking visible roles
- Avoiding self promotion because it feels uncomfortable or inauthentic
To progress, people need to know who you are, what you do well and what you want next.
Tip for Women Rising program alum:
Revisit module 3 on personal branding and visibility to help refocus your actions here.
Reason 3: No space for growth work
Career growth requires more than getting through the workload. It requires time to think, plan, connect and learn.
Many women are stuck simply because there is no capacity left after meetings, emails and delivery. Growth tasks always seem to be something you will get to later.
Practical questions:
- Where in my week is there dedicated time for my own career development
- What can I stop, delegate or reduce to create even one to two hours of space
Without that space, even a clear plan will stall. Build the time into your calendar so that it’s a priority, not an afterthought.
Reason 4: Confidence and self advocacy
Even highly capable women can struggle to advocate for themselves.
You might hesitate to:
- Ask for a promotion or salary review
- Put your name forward for a stretch opportunity
- Say out loud what you want your next step to be
Often this is not a true lack of ability. It is self doubt, fear of judgement, or internal narratives such as “I should be grateful for what I already have” or “I need to be fully ready before I ask.”
Confidence is not about never feeling doubt. It is about being able to act in alignment with your goals, even when doubt is present.
Tip for Women Rising program alum:
Revisit your Radical Confidence work and Inner Critic exercises in the program. Reading your original reflections now can help you see how far you have come and where you are still holding yourself back.
Reason 5: Limited strategic support
Women often progress rapidly early in their careers based on performance alone. At more senior levels, sponsorship, networks and relationships play a larger role.
Being stuck can sometimes mean:
- You do not have a sponsor who actively advocates for you
- Your network is mostly peers rather than decision makers
- You are not regularly in conversations about your future path
Support does not guarantee progression, but it significantly increases your access to information, opportunities and feedback.
How to start moving again
Getting unstuck is rarely about one dramatic decision. It is usually the result of a series of considered steps taken over time.
Here are five practical moves to begin now.
1. Name what you actually want
Spend time getting clear on what you want next, even if it feels uncomfortable to admit it.
Ask yourself:
- If there were no barriers, what would I want my next role or chapter to be
- What is attracting me about that, and what concerns me
- What is the smallest step I can take to move toward it
Writing this down in simple language is an important first step. Clarity reduces confusion and helps you recognise aligned opportunities when they appear.
2. Conduct a career audit
Compare your current situation with the direction you have named.
Consider:
- Which parts of my role are aligned with where I want to go
- Which parts pull me away from that path
- What skills, experience or exposure do I need to build this year
This is not about criticising yourself or your role. It is about understanding the gap so you can address it deliberately.
3. Identify three 90 day actions
Choose three concrete actions you can take in the next three months that would make a meaningful difference.
Examples include:
- Booking a career development conversation with your manager
- Asking to be involved in a project or committee that aligns with your desired direction
- Enrolling in a course or program that builds a specific skill you need
- Initiating three strategic networking conversations in or outside your organisation
Write these down and put them into your calendar. Treat them as commitments, not optional extras.
4. Have the conversation
At some point, moving your career forward will require conversation.
That might mean:
- Letting your manager know what you want next and asking what would need to be true for you to get there
- Sharing with a mentor or senior leader that you are ready to step into more responsibility
- Being honest about what is not working and exploring options
You do not need to have everything solved before you talk. You simply need to be willing to state clearly what you are aiming for.
5. Get structured support
Trying to navigate growth alone is one of the biggest reasons women stay stuck longer than they need to.
Support might include:
- A leadership program designed specifically for women
- Coaching or mentoring
- A peer group or community focused on similar goals
Being part of a structured development experience gives you tools, accountability and a network, which together make it much more likely that you will follow through on your intentions.
If you are ready to move again in your career, stepping into something like this can be a powerful accelerator.
A final word
Feeling stuck does not mean you are not capable. It means you are ready for a new level of clarity, courage and support.
You do not have to overhaul your entire career in one move. You only need to begin with one clear decision, one conversation and one action that aligns with the future you want.
If you are ready to move from feeling stuck to progressing with purpose, the Women Rising program is designed to support that shift in a structured, evidence based and community driven way. Join our March cohort now. Payment plans available. Limited places.