The Power of a Clear Plan to Transform Your Career

The Reality of Feeling Stuck

It can be so disheartening to feel like you are going nowhere despite doing all the right things, working hard, juggling endless meetings, managing bureaucratic hurdles, and doing everything you can to meet ever-growing demands.

Sometimes it can feel like you are running just to keep up, yet you feel like you’re treading water—constantly busy but never truly moving forward.

If this resonates, you’re not alone. Many professionals, including those in the civil service, feel stuck, unsure of their next steps. A recent survey by the FDA union revealed that over 70% of civil servants feel their wellbeing is negatively affected by excessive workloads and lack of progression.

Stress, stagnation, and uncertainty are real challenges. But here’s the good news: these challenges can be overcome. With a clear plan, you can move from feeling overwhelmed to thriving in your career.

Why a Plan is Essential

When you’re stuck, it’s tempting to just “power through”. You might spend some time research options, talk to people about your ideas and make sporadic attempts to look elsewhere.

However, without a plan, your efforts are likely to go nowhere, while the stress only piles up, and the sense of stagnation deepens. Here’s why having a structured plan is critical:

1. It gives you clarity. A plan can help you identify what’s truly important, cutting through the noise of daily stressors.
2. It allows you to identify actionable steps. It breaks down the overwhelming idea of “change” into manageable actions you can take, one step at a time.
3. It gives you confidence and control. Knowing what to do next gives you a sense of direction, making the unknown feel less intimidating.

A clear plan doesn’t just alleviate stress—it empowers you to take charge of your career and your wellbeing.

The Path to Progress Framework

This is where my Path to Progress framework comes in. It’s a structured approach designed to help you evaluate your current situation, explore possibilities, and create a roadmap for change. Here’s how it works:

Phase 1: Finding Your Focus

• Purpose: Establish your vision of success and work on building up your resilience for so you are in a better place to make changes.
• What happens: We review your values, goals, and aspirations to define what truly matters to you.
• Why it matters: This step provides clarity and ensures that your career decisions are aligned with your personal values and long-term vision.

Phase 2: Should I Stay?

• Purpose: Evaluate your current role and identify whether staying is the right choice.
• What Happens: Using tools like the Wheel of Career, we assess whether realistically, changes in your current position could make it more fulfilling.
• Why It Matters: Many people find they can reignite their passion for their current role with the right adjustments.

Phase 3: Should I Go?

• Purpose: Explore potential new career paths that align with your strengths and aspirations.
• What Happens: We conduct a strengths-based analysis and brainstorm new opportunities, creating a shortlist for further exploration.
• Why It Matters: This phase reduces the fear of the unknown by showing you the possibilities beyond your current role.

Phase 4: Decision Time

• Purpose: Help you make an informed and confident decision.
• What Happens: We review insights from previous phases, address remaining concerns, and finalise your direction—whether to stay or transition.
• Why It Matters: Clarity and confidence at this stage prevent second-guessing and enable you to move forward with purpose.

Phase 5: Planning the Path

• Purpose: Create a detailed, actionable roadmap for your decision.
• What Happens: Whether staying or going, we develop a step-by-step plan to ensure your next steps are achievable and sustainable.
• Why It Matters: This phase provides a clear structure, minimising overwhelm and ensuring steady progress.

Phase 6: Walking the Path

• Purpose: Supporting you as you implement your plan and adapt as needed.
• What Happens: We tackle challenges, celebrate wins, and adjust your roadmap to keep you on track.
• Why It Matters: Accountability and encouragement during this phase help you maintain momentum and build resilience.

Common Doubts and Why This Works

You might be thinking:

• “I don’t have time for this.” The truth? Investing time now saves you from years of frustration and stress. The framework is designed to fit into busy schedules, with practical, actionable steps that deliver results.
• “What if it doesn’t work?” Every phase of the framework is built around your unique needs and aspirations. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach—it’s personalised, realistic, and focused on outcomes.
• “This sounds overwhelming.” That’s exactly why the framework exists: to break down the process into manageable steps, so you can tackle change with confidence instead of feeling overwhelmed.

Conclusion: Take the First Step Today

Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing—it’s simply a signal that something needs to change. With the Path to Progress framework, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Together, we can create a plan that moves you from stress and stagnation to clarity and fulfilment.

Your next chapter is waiting. Are you ready to turn the page?

DM me to book a free call today and I can give you more details.

You don’t have to stay stuck. The path to progress is right here.

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