Before You Quit: How High-Achieving Women Can Find Fulfillment Without a Drastic Career Change
Have you ever worked hard to achieve something—a career, a lifestyle, a milestone—only to find yourself wondering what comes next? High-achieving women often find themselves questioning their direction, searching for the right move, and hoping a new job, city, or title will bring the fulfillment they crave. But what if the answer isn’t in making an immediate change, but in shifting how you approach the decisions in front of you?
Many of us take the next logical step—whether it’s a promotion, a degree, or a job move—without questioning whether it aligns with our values. Then, months later, we find ourselves feeling dissatisfied again.
But what if the problem isn’t where you are, but how you engage with it? What if the first step isn’t a drastic change, but a shift in perspective?
The Search for Meaning in Career Choices
For much of my career, I followed a familiar pattern: work hard, achieve something, then question if it was truly the right fit. I started in public relations at a great company that focused on women’s leadership and development. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was meant to do something different. So, I pursued education.
When I became a teacher, I entered through an alternative route and often felt unprepared. Eventually, I moved back home and took courses to better support my teaching. I loved learning, which led me to get my master’s degree. Seeing the direct impact of my studies in the classroom was rewarding, so I continued on to a PhD.
But academia was another world entirely—competitive, rigid, and hyper-focused on research over real-world application. I saw great research happening, but it often missed the bigger picture. The system demanded that you choose between being a great researcher or a great teacher, and I believed both were necessary. I felt torn between what I wanted to do and what was expected of me.
Even when my gut told me this wasn’t the right path, I ignored it. I listened to external voices—a therapist even told me I would regret leaving my program—so I stayed. I finished my PhD, but when I was done, I wanted nothing to do with academia. I felt completely drained by the process.
Looking back, I can see that I wasn’t lacking ambition—I was lacking clarity. I kept searching for the right path, but I never paused to ask myself the deeper questions about what truly aligned with my values and goals.
When Transitioning Feels Like the Only Answer
After leaving education, I eventually found my way into the nonprofit world, where I could be creative, collaborate, and experience different aspects of leadership and change-making. It felt like a better fit, but looking back, I see a pattern:
Questioning whether something was right for me
Searching for a new opportunity
Making a big change
Realizing I was still searching for fulfillment
Many of us do this. We assume that if something isn’t working, we must change everything. Sometimes, that’s necessary—there are situations where we need to leave to escape toxic environments, to grow, or to align with our values. But other times, the issue isn’t where we are; it’s how we engage with it.
How to Know If You Need a Career Change
If you feel drained, uninspired, or misaligned with your current work, start by asking:
✔️ Is this a temporary challenge, or a recurring pattern?
✔️ Have I set clear boundaries before assuming I need to leave?
✔️ Does my work align with what truly fulfills me?If the answer to these questions suggests deep misalignment, it may be time for a career transition. If not, a shift in perspective and small strategic changes may help restore fulfillment.
The Power of Perspective Shifting
If you’re feeling the need for change, your first instinct might be to start job hunting or fantasizing about a big move. Sometimes, that’s the right answer. But more often, it’s not about where you are—it’s about how you’re approaching your decisions. The key to real alignment isn’t just change for change’s sake. It’s clarity.
Instead of immediately deciding to make a big change, what if we asked:
What is actually misaligned?
What aspects of my work (or relationship, or lifestyle) energize me?
What would happen if I set a boundary or adjusted my approach?
Sometimes, small shifts—like restructuring your workday, setting clearer boundaries, or advocating for your needs—can completely change your experience.
For example, in one job, I was commuting and traveling so much that I constantly felt exhausted. My workplace had a generous telework policy, but I felt like I couldn’t take advantage of it. Eventually, I asked myself, What if I did? I started working from home more frequently, and it changed everything. I recovered from the constant exhaustion, I was more efficient at work, and I had time to engage in activities with friends and hobbies. That simple shift in perspective allowed me to stay present and fulfilled in that job, rather than rushing into a major life change.
In another role, I set a boundary: I’m not available to work that many evenings. It wasn’t received well. That was my sign—it was time to move on. But instead of just feeling drained and overwhelmed, I tested my limits first. When my boundary was rejected, I knew I needed to start looking for something else.
Navigating Big Life Transitions
Sometimes, a major life change is necessary—but that doesn’t mean it has to happen immediately. In those in-between moments, we can test different options to explore what we truly need.
For example, when I moved to Colorado, I knew I wanted a different lifestyle—one that allowed me to be closer to nature and more engaged in my community. But before I made the move, I tested my assumptions.
What if I built more time in nature into my daily life?
What if I tried engaging in more community activities?
I attempted both, and while they helped, they weren’t enough to create the life I truly wanted. That’s when I knew moving was the right decision. Testing these smaller changes gave me the clarity I needed to know a bigger move wasn’t just a reaction—it was an intentional choice.
Try This Now
Before you make any drastic decisions, ask yourself: What is one small shift I could make right now to create more alignment in my current role or life situation? Could you set a boundary? Test a different approach? Explore a new perspective before committing to change?
Comment below and let me know: What’s one area where you’re exploring new possibilities? I read every response.
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If you’re ready for expert support in navigating this journey, I offer private coaching for high-achieving women who want to create careers and lives that are fully aligned with their values and vision. Click here to set up a free 45-minute clarity call to explore coaching.