Stuck Between Two Careers? You’re Not Confused...You’re Evolving

I’ve worked with so many people who were standing at the edge of change, straddling two worlds in their careers and unsure how to move forward.

One foot still in a job that’s draining them, maybe even pushing them out the door with toxic culture, layoffs, or burnout. Another planted in a business they’ve poured their soul into… but that still hasn’t taken off. Some are still reeling from a gut-wrenching termination they never saw coming. Others are simply done, done climbing the ladder, done doing the thing they’ve been doing since college, done chasing someone else’s version of success. 
Some have started to imagine new possibilities and even took a few steps toward that dream. Others are stuck in the in-between, desperate for something different, but terrified to walk away from everything they’ve built.
Here’s the thing…you never really walk away from it all. You bring the best of it with you. That messy middle is uncomfortable, disorienting, and yes, painful. It’s a place of tension between what’s comfortable and what’s calling. A stretch between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.
You might be asking:

• Should I stay or should I go?
• What if I make the wrong move?
• Who am I to want something more?
  
  

But what if this discomfort is actually something sacred? What if it’s not confusion at all…
What if it’s evidence that you’re evolving?
After working with dozens of clients, I have created my 5 step framework to help you build momentum one intentional step at a time. Sharing it today with the hopes that it gives you clarity to move out of the messy middle! 
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Step 1: Define What You Really Crave
ASK: “What am I truly missing right now?”
Most people think they’re choosing between job titles or industries. But underneath that, the real choice is between:

• Freedom vs. structure
• Purpose vs. paycheck
• Ownership vs. obedience
• Growth vs. stagnation
  
  

ACTION STEP: Journal 5 things you want more of and 5 things you want less of in your next season. Let this become your filter.

Step 2: Find Your Growth Edge
ASK: “What part of the new path excites me and scares me?”
This is where your edge of growth lives. What stories does your brain tell you as you start moving forward in this career pivot? The work you’re meant to do usually lives right at the intersection of energy and uncertainty. 

ACTION STEP: Write down one bold move you’ve been avoiding and ask yourself: “What would I do if I trusted myself more?”

Step 3: Audit the Tradeoffs
Staying has tradeoffs. So does leaving.
Create a simple chart with three columns where you can weigh the options:

• Pros and cons of staying
• Pros and cons of pivoting
• The opportunities that enable me to take this step
  
  

ACTION STEP: Highlight anything that feels like a deal-breaker or non-negotiable. Is there a corresponding opportunity that would make any of these steps easier or faster? If not, what could you do to create opportunity?

Step 4: Choose a Micro-Move
Most people wait to pivot until they’re 100% sure. But momentum comes from movement, not certainty.

ACTION STEP: Commit to one small experiment this week:

• Reach out to someone doing what you want to do
• Update your LinkedIn headline
• Start a freelance profile
• Block time for creative exploration
• Attend an in person or virtual networking event
  
  

You don’t need to blow up your life. You just need to make small, meaningful steps.


Step 5: Recommit to Who You’re Becoming
When you get stuck in “Should I stay or go?” Ask yourself…“If I trusted my growth, what would I do next?”
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ACTION STEP: Build your support and accountability team. List 2-4 people who will help you stay accountable, mentor you, listen on the hard days, and open doors for you. 
Everything you are experiencing, being stuck in the messy middle is part of your career evolution. “Should I stay or should I go?” Only you can answer that question. If you are ready to take your next step, then check out my Bold Pivot Plan. It is a summer on-demand program that I created to move you from the messy middle to landed.

Check it out here: https://www.mariadastur.com/boldpivot1
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