Feeling stuck despite success? How mindfulness can help

Having worked in consulting and tech startups, I have encountered many wonderful high-achievers who have done amazing things in their careers. 

What has often struck me is that, despite these achievements, many still have the feeling of:

 "I need to do more" 

"I haven't done enough"

Interestingly, it is this drive and desire for growth that often got them where they are today, yet deep down they feel a growing sense that they need to rethink the strategy of constantly seeking more.

High-achievers often come to coaching with an initial question of, "What is the more that I want to tackle?" During the coaching process, another inner voice tends to emerge, one that is seeking a greater sense of fulfilment. It is these two seemingly conflicting forces that can lead to feeling blocked from moving forward. Having experienced this myself many times, I know this can be an incredibly frustrating place to be.

What has helped me navigate this inner conflict, and the method I still come back to regularly, is mindfulness.

Often when we think about mindfulness, we immediately picture someone sitting still, trying to tune out the noise. Some people resist mindfulness because it seems "boring" or they feel like, "I need action, not inaction." Yes, one of the main ways to cultivate mindfulness is through seated meditation. However, mindfulness isn't limited to that. Once you've understood how mindfulness works, you can practise it almost anywhere and at any time.

What is the mechanism of mindfulness?

I'd describe it as the ability to step back from your thoughts, emotions or a frustrating situation so you can see it from a different perspective. It's the realisation that you can experience a difficult situation while also observing it with greater distance and clarity. This can be an incredibly useful tool when you're feeling stuck, helping you reconnect with the different paths and possibilities available to you.

How can this be applied to gaining insights into your career?

In the earlier example, where you feel that sense of "I want more in my career" but you're not sure what that "more" is, you could explore the following steps:

1. Observe your thoughts

Notice how strongly you identify with being someone who constantly seeks to achieve more. Is that the whole of who you are? Can you recognise other parts of yourself that also deserve your attention?

I find that going for a short walk in a park or other natural setting can help with this exercise. As you walk, pay attention to your surroundings and your place within that environment. Leave your phone behind if you can. You may be surprised by what you notice.

2. Listen to what else you need

Once you've reconnected with those other parts of yourself, ask what they might need.

Often there is something else we are seeking, but our career-focused voice becomes so loud that we fail to hear it. Sometimes we even try to satisfy those needs by chasing more success because it feels like the most familiar route. Remember, your career doesn't exist in isolation; it is just one part of your life.

3. Capture your insights

Get creative with consolidating what you've observed and learned. Whether through writing, sketching, drawing diagrams, visualisation or small experiments, turning thoughts into something tangible can help transform rumination into constructive action.

Take a few moments afterwards to reflect on what you've discovered. You may notice recurring themes or new possibilities that weren't obvious before.

Mindfulness can help you step back from your thoughts about your career and see the bigger picture surrounding the dilemma or inner conflict you're experiencing. Rather than simply slowing you down, it can give you fresh perspective, new insights and greater clarity about your next steps.