an illustration of a man standing in the crossroads confused what to choose between stability and freedom with the text Feeling Stuck in Life?

Breaking Free from Feeling Stuck in Life: My Journey to Rediscovering Passion

Ever feel trapped in your life or career? You’re not alone. Many of us hit a point where we ask ourselves, Is this really it? It can be overwhelming, but the good news is that you can break free, reignite your passions, and find work that truly excites you. Here’s my story of getting “unstuck” along with some tips to help you do the same.

Playing the Corporate Game

Right after University, I landed what everyone called a “dream job” in engineering – fancy title, company car, and a clear ladder to climb. But within two years, I felt stuck. Climbing the corporate ladder just wasn’t for me.

At 23, I had to make a tough call: stick with the “safe” option or follow my gut and walk away. I chose the later, walking away from stability. Scary? Absolutely. But what followed was an adventurous years of travelling and working across Canada, Costa Rica, and the UK. Those experiences opened my eyes to what really mattered to me: freedom, creativity, and living on my own terms.

Eventually I ran out of money in Costa Rica, but I knew I could get a “holiday work visa” (Tier 5) in the UK and I had enough money for a one way ticket to the UK!

Finding My Feet in Recruitment

Initally I thought I could perhaps get a sort term gig in engineering or possibly waiting tables as I had done in Canada. But while looking for an engineering job I went to a recruitment agency and they asked if I would be interested in working there as a recruitment consultant.

So I stumbled into recruitment – not exactly part of my grand plan, but it turned out to be a game-changer. Recruitment taught me a ton: sales, managing clients, and running a business. Looking back, those skills laid the foundation for something bigger: starting my own business.

After 3 years in recruitment in the UK, I decided I had had enough of working for someone else again and I really wanted to try to build a business.

Building a Business from Passion

an illustration of a man with SaaS business talking to a client

So when I returned to Australia, I decided to build something of my own – a SaaS (software-as-a-service) business. Using my experience in recruitment I created a portal for job seekers and recruiters to connect before they arrived in the UK.

Over eight years, I grew it from earning $100,000 a year to $40,000 a month, with the help a small team of part-time contractors but basically a one-man band.

But let me assure you, it wasn’t smooth easy. I was grinding 80-hour weeks and found outsourcing to be a continual learning curve.

Then, ultimately the global financial crisis and Brexit forced me to rethink my strategy.

A New Chapter: Affiliate Income

This was an extremely challenging time from me as I saw my dream basically dissapear around me.

As my SaaS business slowed down, I pivoted to affiliate marketing. By creating SEO-driven content, I built a model where my website generated income through referrals.

And this shift towards SEO gave me the time and freedom I’d been seeing in the first place (Thank you GFC!), allowing me to balance work with mountain biking and eventually family time.

Reinvention: Starting Fresh on YouTube

Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs. Just when I thought I’d figured it all out, another challenge hit: a Google algorithm update that severely impacted my affiliate income. It was a tough blow, but it pushed me to explore something new – YouTube. Though I’m still early in this journey, I’m excited to learn, grow, and share insights that can help others.

What to Do When Feeling Stuck

If you’re feeling stuck, here are three key lessons I’ve learned:

  • Follow Your Passions and Skills
    • Think about what excites you and what you’re good at.
    • Combine your unique skills with your passions to create something valuable.
  • Build Resilience
    • Challenges and setbacks are part of the process.
    • Push through tough times – what Seth Godin calls “the dip”—to reach success.
  • Stay Flexible
    • Have a vision, but be ready to adapt when life throws curveballs.
    • Progress beats perfection. Adjust as you go.

What’s the Secret of Dealing with Feeling Stuck?

an illustration of a happy man holding a sign Progress not Perfection

Feeling stuck doesn’t have to last forever. With some self-reflection, persistence, and action, you can pivot toward a career and life that inspires you.

I think the key is to start small – whether it’s a side project, a new skill, or exploring a passion. Those little steps will eventually add up to something meaningful.

So, what’s your next step? Think about what excites you, what you’re good at, and how you can make an impact. Then, take that first step, no matter how small.

Your Turn:
Have you ever felt stuck at work? How did you handle it—or how are you planning to? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear it!

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