If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career—unsure of your next move, questioning whether your work still fulfills you—you’re not alone. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of coaching midlife professionals who are grappling with these same feelings. Many of them have impressive careers, yet something feels off. Despite their success, they feel disconnected, unmotivated, or unsure if they’re on the right path. But here’s the good news: the right conversations and mindset shifts can unlock clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of fulfillment.
This work has revealed a critical truth: Satisfaction is not the same as fulfillment. Maybe Mick Jagger has known this for decades (“I Can’t Get No Satisfaction,” The Rolling Stones, 1965).
In my Thriving in Midlife report published in Q4 of 2024, 75% of respondents reported being “satisfied” in their careers, yet only 61.2% reported feeling fulfilled. And when asked to choose between happiness and fulfillment, 79.2% chose fulfillment.
This tells me that fulfillment is a higher standard. It’s what people truly crave—even if they don’t always know how to achieve it, or if they use the word “fulfillment.”
Why Are So Many Leaders Unfulfilled?
Through my coaching work, I’ve observed a common theme: The root of career unfulfillment is a misalignment between personal values and professional reality.
Our values evolve throughout our lives. What motivated us in our 30s may no longer resonate in our 40s, 50s, or beyond.
For example, early in your career, you may have been driven by common goals—earning a certain title, reaching a specific income, or working for a prestigious company. You may have willingly sacrificed work-life balance to achieve those milestones.
But what if your values have shifted?
What if now, time with family, personal well-being, or making a meaningful impact matters more to you than climbing the next rung of the corporate ladder or launching the next startup? If your current role doesn’t align with your evolved values, a disconnect exists. And that disconnect can make even a “successful” career feel hollow.
The Power of a Holistic Approach to Coaching
When I coach professionals, I don’t just focus on career decisions in isolation. I take a holistic approach, helping individuals assess their fulfillment across the five key pillars of life:
Health – Are you prioritizing your physical and mental well-being?
Fitness – Are you energized and capable of doing the things you love?
Career – Does your work align with your current values and aspirations?
Relationships – Are you investing in meaningful connections?
Legacy – Are you creating impact in a way that feels significant to you?
You are not just a “work person” or a “family person.” You are one whole individual, and fulfillment doesn’t exist in silos. The most fulfilled leaders understand this truth and make intentional choices that align with their evolving values.
Closing the Fulfillment Gap
When I work with professionals who feel stuck, we start with a simple but powerful process:
- Assessing Your Current Fulfillment – Where do you feel most and least fulfilled across the five pillars?
- Identifying the Gaps – Where is there a misalignment between your values and your daily reality?
- Gaining Clarity on Priorities – What truly matters most to you at this stage of life?
- Taking Meaningful Action – What adjustments—big or small—can help bring your career and life back into alignment?
This isn’t about me telling you what to do, or making reckless career jumps or abrupt life changes. It’s about intentional, strategic decision-making rooted in self-awareness. Sometimes, small shifts in perspective or priorities can dramatically enhance fulfillment. Other times, bigger changes may be necessary. The key is clarity—because clarity leads to action.
Are You or Someone You Know Feeling Stuck?
I recently shared that I’ve officially expanded my executive coaching services beyond a few individuals. I’m availing myself to professionals looking to take control of their next chapter. If this resonates with you—or if you know someone who might benefit from this kind of clarity—I invite you to explore my holistic coaching approach.
I’m not one for self-promotion, but I do believe in the power of exploratory conversations. If you’re curious, schedule a free discovery call with me while they are available. Once I fill my coaching load, I’ll pause the discovery calls indefinitely.
Image source: Freepik
