3 Career Beliefs That Keep You Stuck

Most people don’t stay in jobs they dislike because they want to be miserable.

They stay because of a few quiet beliefs that sound sensible on the surface.

But when you don’t challenge them, these beliefs quietly lock you into careers that feel flat, underpaid, or going nowhere.

Let’s talk about three of the most common.

Belief #1: “It’s normal to hate your job (or just think it’s meh).”

We’ve normalized complaining about work. Hating Mondays. Counting the hours until Friday. Saying things like, “That’s just how it is.”

But “normal” doesn’t mean inevitable.

Your career is where you spend thousands of hours of your life. If it leaves you drained, resentful, or uninspired, that’s not something to shrug off - that's a signal that something needs to change.

It is possible to do work that excites you. People around you might settle, but you don’t have to.

Belief #2: “You can either love your job or get paid well — not both.”

This belief is everywhere, especially among smart, ambitious professionals. The idea is that you either:

• Pick the passion job and accept low pay, or
•  Take the high-paying role and tolerate the misery.

 But that’s a false choice.

I’ve watched people land roles they actually look forward to while also doubling their salaries.

They didn’t get there by luck — they learned how to position themselves, build networks, and show their value in a way employers couldn’t ignore.

The truth: fulfillment and financial reward can absolutely coexist.

Belief #3: “It’s too hard to find a good job in this market, so I’ll just stay put.”

This one sounds practical. Safe.

But “safe” can be the riskiest choice of all.

Markets shift. Companies restructure. Technology changes the roles available. Staying frozen in place means your skills lose relevance while opportunities pass by.

Meanwhile, plenty of people are landing great jobs — even in so-called “bad” markets. Why? Because they treat job searching as a skill. They learn how to network, pitch themselves, and navigate the process strategically.

The difference isn’t the market. It’s whether you choose to play the game well.

Here’s the truth

These three beliefs don’t look dangerous. They sound reasonable. But they’re the reason people stay underpaid, uninspired, and secretly wondering if this is “all there is.”

It doesn’t have to be that way.

The moment you stop accepting these limits as “normal,” you open the door to a career that energizes you and pays you properly.

Your next step…

I’ve opened 5 spots for a free Career Strategy Session this month.

In this session, we’ll map out exactly what’s keeping you stuck, and create a clear plan to land the role (and salary) you deserve.

Use the link below to work with me.