Stop Ducking Around: Take Control of Your Career

Recently, I was talking to a former co-worker and I was reminded of a term that perfectly describes a career phase many of us experience but rarely articulate: ducking. No, autocorrect didn’t save me from swearing. Ducking refers to the image of a duck gliding gracefully across the water while its legs paddle furiously beneath the surface to stay afloat.

In a career, ducking feels a lot like showing up, doing what’s expected, and meeting deadlines, but never truly connecting with your work. It’s when you’re working hard to maintain stability without the satisfaction of contributing meaningfully or excelling. You might find yourself stuck in a loop of just “doing the job,” leading to emotional detachment—not just from the work itself but from your career as a whole.

Without being challenged, engaged, or inspired, you can start to feel like you’re floating aimlessly, disconnected from your goals and passions. So, what can you do to break free from ducking and get back on course?

Pause and Reflect

Start by asking yourself some hard questions: What’s missing? Is it a lack of purpose, recognition, or growth opportunities? Are you feeling undervalued, overworked, or disconnected from the impact of your contributions? Identifying what’s truly bothering you is the first step toward reclaiming your career.

Take the time to reflect on your strengths, values, and long-term aspirations. Think about the moments in your career when you felt most fulfilled. What were you doing? Who were you working with? What impact were you making? These insights can provide powerful clues about the type of work that aligns with your passions and skills.

Journaling your thoughts or discussing them with a trusted mentor can help bring clarity. Remember, reflection isn’t just about identifying what’s wrong—it’s also about rediscovering what you love and envisioning where you want to go. By taking this step, you’re not just pausing—you’re setting the stage for purposeful action.

Set Intentional Goals

Once you’ve reflected on your career and identified what’s missing, the next step is to set intentional goals that align with your aspirations. Floating aimlessly is easy when you lack a clear destination, but defining your goals gives you purpose and direction.?

Success looks different for everyone. Ask yourself: What does an ideal career look like? Does it involve leading a team, gaining a specific skill, earning recognition in your industry, or making a tangible impact in your field? Be as specific as possible about what you want to achieve.

Life and careers are rarely linear. Be open to adjusting your goals as you grow and circumstances change. Flexibility allows you to embrace unexpected opportunities while staying aligned with your overall vision.

Celebrate the wins!

Achieving small victories, like completing a certification or receiving positive feedback on a project, keeps you motivated and reinforces the value of your efforts.

Find Your Tribe

Your network plays a pivotal role in helping you navigate through career challenges, but it should be more than just a collection of business contacts. To truly thrive, you need to find your people—those who support and inspire you.

• Seek Meaningful Relationships: Join professional organizations, participate in meetups, or engage in online communities where you can have authentic conversations. Look for peers who share your values and passions.
• Go Beyond Work Talk: Build friendships, not just professional connections. Having people who understand your struggles and celebrate your wins can make all the difference.
• Find Mentors and Peers Who Energize You: Surround yourself with those who’ve walked a similar path or are navigating similar challenges. They can provide guidance, perspective, and encouragement.
• Be Vulnerable: It’s okay to admit you’re feeling stuck. Sharing your struggles with trusted peers can open the door to advice, support, or new opportunities.
• Offer Value to Others: Be the person who listens, supports, and helps. Genuine relationships are built on mutual respect and trust.

When you find the right tribe, you stop paddling furiously just to stay afloat. Instead, you feel supported, inspired, and reconnected with your purpose.

Embrace Change

Sometimes, breaking free from ducking means taking a leap. If your current role or career path isn’t aligning with your goals, it might be time to pivot. Whether it’s learning a new skill, moving into a different role, or even changing industries, growth often requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Yes, change can feel risky, but it’s often the catalyst for rediscovering your passion and purpose.

Ducking can happen to anyone. But it’s important to recognize when you’re in this phase and take steps to reconnect with your career. You deserve more than just staying afloat—you deserve to thrive, contribute, and feel proud of the impact you’re making.

Are you ducking through your career? Let’s discuss how you’re navigating these waters and what strategies have worked for you.