Ever feel stuck in your career? You know the feeling—dragging yourself out of bed, dreading another day at a job that feels meh at best, completely misaligned with who you are. You’re not alone. Plenty of people find themselves in roles that don’t light them up, all while craving something more meaningful but not quite knowing where to start.
So, what if I told you the key to unlocking the career of your dreams is way closer than you think? (Spoiler: it’s not in another never-ending job search.) It’s in something you already have—your core values.
Let’s get real: understanding your core values is the ultimate first step to making a real, lasting career change. Whether you’re ready to jump ship and completely pivot or just want a role that actually feels fulfilling, aligning your work with your core values changes everything. And the best part? You already have the answers within you. It’s all about tapping into them.
In this post, we’ll dive into the magic of identifying your values to help you navigate your next career move. We’ll also tackle those sticky situations where you feel torn between conflicting values and show you how to resolve that tension so you can confidently step into a career that’s genuinely right for you.
Why Core Values Are Crucial When Making a Career Change
When you’re considering a career change, knowing your core values isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. These values act as your internal compass, guiding you toward decisions that feel right and away from those that don’t align with who you are. They’re what bring clarity, helping you filter through all the noise and focus on opportunities that truly resonate with what matters most.
When we’re aligned with our core values, our work becomes more than just a job—it becomes meaningful. It gives us career clarity, fulfillment, and the ability to bring joy into what we do daily. Without this alignment, you may find yourself in a role that drains you, even when it seems “perfect” on paper.
By using methods like the ones we’ll explore, you’ll gain the clarity needed to align your career with what lights you up, giving you the confidence to pursue roles that don’t just pay the bills but actually feed your soul.
Career Dissatisfaction: Why So Many Of Us Feel Stuck
Let’s face it—so many people spend years, even decades, working in jobs that don’t bring them fulfillment. Often, the path was chosen out of necessity, routine, or even the pressure to meet societal expectations. It’s easy to fall into a career without ever asking, “Does this actually align with what’s important to me?”
I’ve seen it time and time again: people feeling stuck and unhappy at work. One common thread keeps popping up—they’re simply not in the right environment. As one client once put it, “I dread going to work every day, and I would love a career that brings me joy and makes me feel alive.”
Sound familiar? The truth is, many of us hesitate to make a change, even when we’re desperate for it. And what’s usually holding us back? It often comes down to a misalignment with our core values—the things that truly matter but get overlooked in the chaos of day-to-day life. Without realizing it, we’re working against what we need most.
How Do You Know If Your Career Is Stalled?
Alright, let’s get real for a second. Each of us has a set of deeply held beliefs—our core values—that shape how we see the world and make decisions. These values are basically our internal GPS, telling us what’s important, what feels right, and most importantly, what makes us feel fulfilled.
But here’s the thing: when your career doesn’t align with those values? Oof—you feel it. That dreaded Sunday night feeling creeps in, your energy tanks, and you’re left questioning, “Is this really what I’m meant to be doing?”
Sound familiar? (Yeah, I thought so.)
The good news? Once you get clear on your values, it’s like flipping on a light switch. You suddenly see why you’re stuck, why things feel off. And from there? Taking action toward a career that actually lights you up becomes a whole lot easier.
The Power of Core Values and Their Impact on Career Choices
Think of your core values as the foundation of your life and career. These values—whether it’s creativity, adventure, connection, safety, or community—are what shape your deepest sense of purpose. When your career aligns with your values, you feel energized, motivated, and fully engaged. But when they clash? Even the most outwardly “successful” role can leave you feeling drained and disconnected.
The key is to dig deeper and uncover these core values that might not always be obvious. One of the most effective ways to do this is through values elicitation. This powerful method, shared by Savannah Lani Murray, an NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) story coach, on Career Clarity Unlocked's episode, “Finding Clarity Through Storytelling,” taps into your subconscious to reveal what truly drives you. The process involves storytelling, where your own life experiences highlight the values you hold dear—even if you’re not consciously aware of them.
Here’s how it works:
The Values Exercise: What Values Matter The Most To You?
This exercise is simple, yet incredibly powerful for uncovering your core values. It’s all about digging deeper—layer by layer—until you reveal what truly drives you.
- Start with a Question: Ask yourself, “What do I value most in my relationships?” (And we’re talking any kind of relationship—personal, professional, even the one you have with yourself!) The key here is to think about what’s most important to you in these interactions. Is it trust? Honesty? Fun? Start with whatever resonates most, because the values you identify here will be at the core of who you are.
- Go Deeper: Once you’ve pinpointed a value (let’s say trust), ask yourself, “What’s even bigger than that?” This question pushes you to dig below the surface. Maybe trust leads to valuing connection, and maybe connection brings you to community. By peeling back each layer, you get closer to uncovering what truly matters.
- Repeat the Process: Continue asking, “What’s even more important than that?” until you reach a value that hits home, one that makes you go, “Oh, that’s it.” (Trust me, you’ll feel it when you get there—sometimes it’s like a lightbulb moment, or even a physical reaction, like relief or excitement.)
You can do this exercise on your own, jotting down each value and tracing it to something even more fundamental. As you go through the process, you’ll start to see a clear picture of your most important values. These are the values that should be guiding your career choices—and life decisions in general.
Resolving Conflicts Between Your Values in Career Decisions
Now, this is where things get really interesting. A lot of us feel stuck in our careers because our core values are battling each other. It’s like an internal tug-of-war, pulling us in different directions, leaving us paralyzed and unsure of which way to go.
As Savannah Lani shared, imagine you’ve got one part of you that craves adventure and excitement—it’s the side of you that dreams of starting a business, moving to a new city, or diving into a creative role. But then, there’s another part of you that’s all about safety and comfort—the part that values stability, familiarity, and the security of a steady paycheck. When these two values clash, it creates this frustrating push-pull dynamic. You want to leap into something bold and adventurous, but your need for security pulls you back.
This conflict between adventure and security can make taking action feel nearly impossible. You’re left wondering, “Do I play it safe, or do I take a risk?” Sound familiar?
How Conflicting Values Can Cause Career Paralysis
I’ve seen this scenario unfold with so many clients. They’re eager to pursue work that excites and fulfills them, but something holds them back—fear of stepping away from the familiar. The result? They stay in careers that feel “safe,” but are totally out of sync with what they actually want.
It’s that internal conflict—wanting more but fearing loss—that keeps them stuck in a cycle of dissatisfaction. One part craves change, while the other clings to the security of the known. And so, they stay paralyzed, unable to make a move toward something better.
The Feeling of Being "Out of Sync"
When your values are in conflict, it’s not just confusing—it can genuinely make you feel unwell. I’ve had clients describe it as feeling stuck, out of sync, or like something is just “off” in their body. It’s like a constant tug-of-war: one value pulling you in one direction, another yanking you back. The result? Frustration, uncertainty, and the paralyzing weight of indecision.
Now, imagine waking up every morning, knowing your job is at odds with what you value most. If you’re someone who thrives on creativity but find yourself in a rigid, process-driven role with zero room for innovation, you’re bound to feel drained and unmotivated. Or if independence is a core value, but you’re stuck in a position where you have no control over your work, it’s no surprise you’d feel trapped.
The longer this misalignment lasts, the more exhausting it becomes—both mentally and physically.
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How Do I Get Rid Of Career Blockages? How NLP Can Help
So, how do you break free from that frustrating conflict between your values? Savannah Lani suggests one powerful tool: Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). With NLP, you don’t have to choose between your values (which honestly feels impossible, right?). Instead, it helps you explore how to fulfill both—because why should you settle for less?
NLP techniques bridge the gap between your conscious desires (what you know you want) and your subconscious fears (the stuff holding you back that you may not even realize is there). Let’s say you’re torn between the values of safety and excitement—one part of you wants to take bold risks, while the other craves stability. Sound familiar?
With NLP, it’s not about picking one or the other—it’s about finding a way to have both. For example, could you start that new business you’ve been dreaming about, while still working part-time to maintain financial security? Or maybe you take that exciting leap into a new career, but set up some safety nets (systems, backup plans, or savings) to keep things stable.
It’s not always about choosing between your values—it’s about finding a way to honor both sides of yourself. By using NLP tools, you can explore creative solutions that let you embrace the adventure while keeping the security you need.
How Core Values Shape Your Career Moves
Once you’ve identified your core values and resolved any internal conflicts, you’ll gain the clarity you need to make career moves that truly align with who you are. When your work matches your values, it transforms from “just a job” into something much deeper—it becomes a source of purpose and fulfillment.
Let’s say you’re someone who thrives on guiding others, sharing knowledge, and helping people achieve their goals. Once you recognize that guidance and teaching are key values for you, it’s like a lightbulb moment—you know exactly what kind of work will bring you joy. Whether that means pursuing a coaching role, mentoring others in your current job, or stepping into leadership where you can empower those around you, the key is to lean into those values. Let them guide your decisions, and the path forward becomes clear.
5 ways of Making a Career Moves Based on Your Values
Feeling stuck in your career can feel overwhelming, but the way forward might be simpler than you think. It starts with understanding your values—what really matters to you and what lights you up. Once you’ve identified those values, you can start making career decisions that feel truly aligned.
Here’s a process to help you take those first steps:
- Identify Your Core Values: Go through the values exercise we covered earlier to get crystal clear on what’s most important to you. Ask yourself, “What do I value most in my relationships, work, and life?” Your values are the foundation of your career choices.
- Notice the Conflicts: Do you feel torn between two parts of yourself? Where do you feel pulled in different directions, and why does this happen? Maybe you crave adventure, but at the same time, you value security. (Sound familiar?) Take a moment to reflect on where the conflict is happening and why it’s causing tension in your decision-making process. Identifying both the location and the reason behind the internal struggle is key to moving forward.
- Explore Solutions: Instead of choosing between values, ask yourself, “How can I honor both?” (Hint: you usually can!). Whether it’s using NLP techniques or simply brainstorming, there’s always a way to integrate both sides. Could you take a creative leap while building a safety net? Find adventure with stability? It’s all about balance.
- Take Action: Once you’ve mapped out a path that honors your values, take action—even if it’s a small step. Maybe it’s exploring a new role, taking on a side project, or having an honest conversation with your manager about what matters most to you. Small steps lead to big shifts!
- Revisit Regularly: As you grow, your values may evolve too (and that’s a good thing!). Make it a habit to revisit this process from time to time. Your career should adapt as you do, keeping you in alignment with what matters most.
FAQs about Aligning Your Core Values for a Successful Career Change
Is 40 too late to change careers?
Absolutely not! At 40, you still have around 20 more years of work ahead of you—so why spend them in a career that drains your energy and leaves you unfulfilled? This is prime time to make a change. By now, you have a wealth of experience, knowledge, and transferable skills that can be applied to something that excites and energizes you. With that foundation, 40 is the perfect age to pivot into a career that brings you joy and satisfaction for the next chapter of your professional life.
What career should I change to?
The best career to change to is one that makes you come alive. To discover what that is, start by reflecting on your transferable skills—what are you good at, and what are you not? Then, dig deeper: of the skills you’re good at, which ones energize you, and which ones drain you?
It’s crucial to recognize that even if you excel at something, it might leave you feeling exhausted, and that will impact how you feel about your work. Instead, focus on using the skills that truly energize you.
I walk you through the exact process of identifying these skills and how to communicate them to stand out as an in-demand candidate in my free masterclass, Start Your Career Change in Three Simple Steps. RSVP now to take the first step towards a fulfilling career: Join Here
How do you know when to change careers
You’ll know it’s time to change careers when you start dreading Mondays like they’re the start of an endless marathon you didn’t sign up for. That sinking feeling you get on Sunday nights is a clear signal. Another sign is that you’re not using your full potential—whether that means your skills are being underutilized, or you just don’t feel challenged anymore. If you know deep down you’re capable of more, that’s a big clue you need a change. And let’s not forget the constant feeling of being drained and depleted. If your work is leaving you emotionally or physically exhausted, it’s not just a bad week—it’s a bad fit. If these signs resonate with you, it’s time to start thinking about a career that energizes rather than depletes you. For a humorous take on these red flags, check out my LinkedIn post: Here
About Author: Career Clarity Coach Theresa White
After years of feeling unfulfilled in my career and not knowing what I’m meant to do or how to find it without starting over... I finally figured out what I'm here to do! And found a career that makes me excited to wake up and go to work every day. And I know that one day, I'll look back on my career with joy and satisfaction, knowing that I did something that truly mattered.
How did I find it?
By getting crystal clear on what I'm meant to do.
Getting this clarity is easier than you think, and I love guiding my clients through the discovery process... and empowering them to find their ideal career.
Connect with me on LinkedIn, listen to the Career Clarity Unlocked Podcast, or schedule your free 30-minute career clarity consultation.
Conclusion: You Can Make the Change
At the end of the day, finding purpose in your career isn’t about reinventing yourself—it’s about coming home to who you’ve always been. Your core values? They’ve been there all along, quietly guiding you toward the work that will truly light you up and give your life meaning.
When you take the time to dig deep, uncover those values, and resolve any conflicts holding you back, you unlock the power to move from feeling stuck and dissatisfied to empowered and fulfilled. This is your moment to break free from what’s no longer serving you and step boldly into a career that reflects the real you. The change you’ve been waiting for? It’s right in front of you, waiting for you to claim it.
Because let’s be honest—you’re more than ready to create a career that aligns with your heart and values. And the best part? You’ve had the power all along.
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