The great career reset: How stepping back helps you step into your true Potential
In life and career, it often feels like progression is meant to be linear — one achievement leading seamlessly to the next in an upward climb. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, you hit a glass ceiling, as I did in my career as a Web Manager. Whether it’s due to short tenures in roles or a lack of specific experience, I found myself unable to break through to the next level. This led me to a period of deep reflection, forcing me to evaluate what I truly want in life and what direction I should take next.
One thing that became clear is that despite being an introvert, I genuinely enjoy being around people. I love storytelling, the challenge of selling ideas, and connecting with others on a deeper level. At the same time, I realised I’m not someone who enjoys sitting in front of a computer for seven hours a day. I needed something more aligned with who I am, both professionally and personally.
Something I believe is often overlooked in business is the importance of working in an industry you care about. When you’re passionate about your field, you not only bring more enthusiasm and creativity to your work, but it also becomes easier to understand how your efforts impact the industry as a whole. Longevity in a career comes from doing something you truly enjoy, and this requires finding the right environment that resonates with your values and interests.
I’ve come to see that life, and especially careers, are like a game of Snakes and Ladders. You’ll climb some ladders along the way, making big gains, but inevitably, there will also be setbacks — those moments when you feel like you’re sliding back down the board. Sometimes, you have to go backwards to eventually move forwards.
For me, this realisation has led to a career pivot. I’m now transitioning to a part-time role in digital marketing, a field where I want to deepen my skills — particularly in areas I haven’t fully explored in previous roles. Alongside this, I’m starting a travel blog and vlog, something I’ve long been passionate about. This shift allows me to pursue something that aligns with my interests while still giving me the flexibility to gain new professional experience.
To understand this process of career reflection, we can turn to the work of Erik Erikson, a psychologist best known for his theory of psychosocial development. According to Erikson, our lives progress through a series of stages, each marked by a specific conflict or challenge that we must resolve. How we navigate these stages shapes who we become.
The stage that resonates most with career plateau moments is Erikson’s “Generativity vs. Stagnation” phase, which typically occurs in mid-adulthood. During this phase, individuals often start asking deeper questions about their purpose, what legacy they want to leave behind, and how they can make a meaningful contribution to the world. Erikson defines this period as a choice between stagnation — remaining in a situation where you no longer feel like you’re progressing — and generativity, which is the desire to create or nurture things that will outlast you, be it through career achievements, creativity, or mentoring others.
In career terms, hitting a glass ceiling or feeling a sense of dissatisfaction can trigger a form of stagnation. You’re working hard, but you’re no longer excited about what you do, and the path forward seems unclear. This is exactly what I experienced in my role as a Web Manager. Despite having years of experience, I hit a point where I didn’t feel like I was growing anymore, and my work felt disconnected from my personal values and goals. I realised it wasn’t just about climbing higher in the corporate ladder; it was about finding work that felt meaningful and aligned with who I am as a person.
Erikson’s theory suggests that moments of career stagnation are opportunities to reassess our direction. These phases of frustration or indecision are invitations to redefine what success looks like for us, not just in terms of external achievements, but in terms of personal satisfaction and contribution. What kind of legacy do we want to leave behind? How do we want to use our skills and talents to make an impact?
In my case, this reflection led to a significant shift. I realised that while I’ve developed strong skills in digital marketing and web management, I wanted to focus on deepening my knowledge in areas like SEO and analytics, fields I hadn’t fully explored before. This would allow me to gain new skills while maintaining the flexibility to pursue my passion for travel blogging and vlogging.
Actions to Take When You Hit a Glass Ceiling
- Take Stock of Your Career: Like in Erikson’s “Generativity vs. Stagnation” stage, begin by evaluating where you are. What’s working for you? What isn’t? Are you in a position where you’re excited about what you do, or have you hit a wall? This reflection is crucial in helping you identify if it’s time to make a change.
- Reassess Your Passions: Sometimes, we lose sight of what truly motivates us. Take the time to explore what excites you beyond your current role. Is there something you’ve always wanted to pursue? A skill you’ve long wanted to develop? This could be the key to reinvigorating your career path.
- Look for Ways to Generate Meaning: Ask yourself how you can contribute to something bigger than yourself. This could mean mentoring others, starting a creative project, or even pursuing a passion outside of your 9-to-5. Generativity is about creating something that will outlast you — something that feels meaningful.
- Consider a Side Hustle or Part-Time Shift: If you’re not ready to make a full career change, look for ways to explore new interests or deepen your skills on the side. This is what I’m doing with my part-time role in digital marketing and my travel blog. It allows me to continue growing professionally while also following a passion that excites me.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Go Backwards: Sometimes, going backwards is necessary to move forwards. It might feel like a step down at first, but taking a role that allows you to learn and grow in new areas, or even taking a break to reassess your direction, can lead to long-term growth.
The tech and digital industries are undeniably challenging at the moment. Many of us find ourselves navigating a market that’s become increasingly competitive, with limited opportunities for advancement. However, this doesn’t mean your skills are redundant. In fact, there are many avenues where your digital expertise can still be applied, from freelance work to consulting to content creation. The key is to broaden your view of where your skills can take you.
If you’re feeling stuck, remember that setbacks can be opportunities. Career stagnation doesn’t have to mean the end — it can be the beginning of something new and meaningful. By taking stock of where you are, reassessing your passions, and finding ways to create something that resonates with your personal values, you can move forward with renewed purpose.
