Stop Running from a Bad Job—Get Clear on What You’re Running Toward
Feeling stuck in your career? Instead of focusing on what you want to escape, define what you truly want next. Learn how to shift your mindset, align your actions with your goals, and land a role that excites you.
If you’re feeling stuck in your career, I have a question for you:
Are you running from something, or are you running toward something?
When we’re unhappy at work, it’s easy to focus on what we want to escape:
❌ A toxic boss
❌ A lack of recognition
❌ A dead-end role
But here’s the thing: running from a bad situation doesn’t guarantee you’ll land in a good one.
I’ve seen so many talented leaders jump into a new role only to find themselves in the same frustrating cycle—because they never paused to define what they actually wanted. And here’s something fascinating: Your subconscious mind doesn’t process negatives the way you think it does. Let me prove it to you.
Don’t think of a purple elephant
What just popped into your head? Yep, a purple elephant.
That’s because your brain focuses on the subject of the thought, not the negative framing. So if you tell yourself, “I don’t want to work for a toxic boss again,” your brain still locks onto the idea of a toxic boss. Instead of leading you toward something better, it keeps you focused on what you don’t want—making it more likely that you’ll end up in the same situation.
So let’s flip the script… Running towards
Before making any big career move, ask yourself:
✅ What do I want my next role to give me that my current one doesn’t?
✅ What are my non-negotiables?
✅ What kind of leadership team do I want to work with?
✅ What would make me excited to show up every day?
Once you get clear on what you’re moving toward, write it down and keep it somewhere visible.
Not just as a reminder, but as a way to align your daily actions with your goals.
📌 When you write down what you want, your brain starts filtering opportunities differently—you notice things that align with your vision.
📌 You start making decisions that move you closer to the future you actually want, instead of settling for what’s available.
📌 When an opportunity comes your way, you can quickly ask: Does this align with what I truly want?
Clarity isn’t just about knowing where you want to go—it’s about making sure your actions support your vision every single day.
Conclusion
So if you’ve been thinking about what’s next, I challenge you to pause for a moment. Instead of focusing on what you want to leave behind, get clear on what you want to move toward—and let your actions follow that path. Because when you know what you’re looking for, it becomes so much easier to find it.
Are you at a career crossroads right now? Share your thoughts—what’s one thing you do want in your next role? I’d love to hear. You might be interested in Top 5 Strategies for Navigating a Vibrant and Successful Career.
