Your Career is Stalling Because You Lack Discipline—Here’s How to Fix It

Personal discipline is one of those things we all know we need but often neglect, especially during career transitions. Transitions are uncomfortable, they disrupt our routines, and in those moments of uncertainty, carelessness tends to creep in. The carelessness I’m talking about isn’t blatant negligence—it's more subtle, like letting deadlines slip, allowing small tasks to pile up, or avoiding the hard questions about what you really want in your next career step. And as a career growth coach, I see it all the time. People come to me with big dreams and goals, but when it comes down to the discipline required to execute, many falter.

One of the first lessons I’ve learned through coaching is that career transitions aren’t just about moving from one job to another; they’re about managing yourself through the process. When you’re shifting careers—whether it’s stepping into leadership, pivoting to a new industry, or even seeking a promotion—personal discipline becomes your most important asset. Without it, you run the risk of drifting, reacting rather than acting, and eventually ending up in a job or situation that doesn’t align with your long-term goals.

I remember a client, Sarah, who had a stellar track record in her field but had grown dissatisfied with her role. She wanted to move into a more senior, strategic position in a different company. She came to me for help navigating the transition. What stood out to me was how passionate she was about the change, but like so many people, Sarah underestimated the amount of discipline needed to make that leap effectively. Initially, her efforts were scattered. She’d apply to a few jobs, network here and there, but nothing consistent. Her resume wasn’t updated, her LinkedIn profile didn’t reflect her aspirations, and she wasn’t preparing for interviews because, in her words, “I’ll figure it out when I get there.”

This is where the first trap of carelessness reveals itself: lack of preparation. People underestimate how much work it takes to present themselves as the ideal candidate for the roles they want. It’s not enough to be talented or experienced; you have to articulate that value clearly and align it with what the market is looking for. Sarah’s career transition didn’t truly start moving until she embraced discipline—updating her resume, refining her LinkedIn profile to target the roles she wanted, and preparing for interviews as though her next job depended on it. (Because it did!)

Career transitions require planning, and planning requires discipline. Without it, the process becomes haphazard. One of the key areas where I see clients stumble is time management. People get lazy. They know they need to work on their resume, research companies, or attend networking events, but somehow, those things get pushed to the bottom of the list. They end up sending out rushed applications or showing up to interviews underprepared because they didn't put in the time. This laziness isn’t always intentional—it’s often a byproduct of feeling overwhelmed. Career transitions are daunting, and when people feel stressed, they procrastinate, thinking they’ll deal with it later.

I always tell my clients, like I told Sarah, that discipline is what bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be. It’s not about motivation—because let’s face it, motivation comes and goes. It’s about committing to the process, even on days when you don’t feel like it. In Sarah’s case, once she started following a structured plan—updating her materials, scheduling regular networking meetings, practicing interview scenarios—opportunities began to open up. She ended up landing a role that was not only more aligned with her goals but came with a significant salary increase.

Another common issue I encounter is that many people don’t take full ownership of their transition. Self-discipline means you are responsible for your own success or failure. I’ve had clients who constantly blame external factors for their lack of progress—bad managers, poor job markets, and so on. While these external challenges are real, they’re not an excuse for neglecting your own actions. If you’re not regularly updating your skills, networking, or positioning yourself for the roles you want, you’re sabotaging your own career.

One client, Joseph, was in the middle of a major career pivot from operations to a more strategic leadership role. He had the background and the connections, but his approach was reactive. He was waiting for opportunities to come to him, rather than actively seeking them out. When we started working together, it became clear that his issue wasn’t a lack of opportunities but a lack of focus and self-discipline. Joseph wasn’t tracking his applications, following up with people, or improving his resume. He needed a system—a disciplined approach to his career transition. Once we developed a strategy where he allocated specific time blocks to job applications, networking, and interview prep, things started shifting. His career change was no longer left to chance; he had a plan, and he stuck to it.

What I find most surprising, though, is how many people are careless about one of the most fundamental aspects of career transitions: communication. Whether it's through your resume, LinkedIn, or how you present yourself in interviews, you need to be disciplined about the message you’re sending. Too many people wing it. They don't take the time to craft their professional story in a way that resonates with employers. I've worked with clients whose resumes were filled with generic job descriptions rather than focused accomplishments. I’ve seen LinkedIn profiles that haven’t been updated in years, even though they’re actively seeking new roles. This kind of carelessness can make or break your transition.

If you’re making a career move, discipline needs to be part of every step. And it’s not just about getting the basics right—it’s about going above and beyond. Are you following up with hiring managers after interviews? Are you reaching out to your network regularly, or only when you need something? Are you investing time in learning new skills or staying stagnant? These are the questions I ask my clients because these are the actions that separate those who transition successfully from those who struggle.

In the end, career transitions are a test of patience and discipline. They’re uncomfortable because they require you to step out of your current reality and into a new one. But that’s where growth happens. And it’s why I believe so strongly in the power of structured coaching. Coaching provides not only accountability but also the strategies you need to maintain discipline during the often chaotic process of transitioning careers.

If you’re serious about making a change, whether it’s a new role, a complete career pivot, or moving up to a leadership position, I’m here to help. You don’t have to navigate the chaos alone. I offer a free 30-minute discovery call where we can discuss your career goals and outline a plan that gets you moving in the right direction. Let’s work together to ensure that carelessness and lack of discipline aren’t the reasons your career stalls.

You can book your free call [here (https://calendly.com/emakokha2005/30min?month=2024-08 ).

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