Sylvia Broetje, a career counselor and coach, helps professionals achieve clarity and direction in their careers. With a foundation in industrial-organizational psychology, she blends research-driven methods and practical insights to empower individuals to build meaningful and sustainable careers.
Career indecision can feel like a heavyweight, keeping you stuck in analysis paralysis, leading to self-doubt and frustration. It is very common to feel torn between several options, being unsure about where to start, or worrying about making the "wrong" choice. The good news is that the right strategies can help you get unstuck and start making moves in a new, exciting direction.
In this article, I will walk you through some actionable steps.
What’s causing your indecision?
Before acting, it’s important to acknowledge and identify the root of your indecision. After all, you probably have some good reasons for not jumping head-first into a new career. Your current career probably provides you with a comforting sense of certainty, and you have likely built a reputation as a competent person in your field. It’s unsettling to think about leaving all that behind.
Fear of failure
Fear of failure often stems from the belief that a career choice is permanent and that one wrong move can ruin your future. This can lead to paralysis, as the fear of regret outweighs the motivation to act.
Overwhelmed by options
The modern job market offers an abundance of options, from remote roles to new industries and freelance opportunities. O*Net, the occupations database run by the US Department of Labor, lists 1016 occupations. While this diversity is exciting, it can also be paralyzing — how do you choose when there are so many possibilities?
Perfectionism
Perfectionism can make you feel like no opportunity is good enough. You might find yourself endlessly searching for a role that ticks every box, only to miss out on viable options.
Lack of self-awareness
If you don’t have a clear understanding of what you’re good at or what motivates you, it’s hard to identify a career path that feels right. This lack of self-awareness can make every option seem equally uncertain. Maybe you’ve already made a suboptimal career choice when you were young and had limited information about yourself and the world of work at that time. Now you might be concerned it will play out the same way again.
Fear of judgement
Many people delay decisions because they’re worried about how their choices will be perceived by family, friends, or colleagues. Society sends us strong messages as to what steps of your life should occur in what order. You might feel that you’re supposed to be climbing the career ladder at this point, not make any major changes or start over. Most of us also lack role models that show us how to navigate career changes and how to integrate that experience as part of a successful life.
Financial concerns
For many, the fear of financial instability is a major barrier to making a career move, especially as you may have more financial responsibilities, for example supporting a family and/or paying for a mortgage. This concern is especially true in uncertain economic times like today.
Take a moment to reflect: What’s holding you back? Understanding the cause can help you target your efforts more effectively.
There’s no perfect path
One of the biggest myths fueling career indecision is the belief that there’s a single “perfect” career path. Most people have multiple paths that could lead to success and satisfaction.
Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on identifying a path that aligns with your skills, interests, and values and be open to adapting as you grow. Careers are rarely linear, and flexibility is one of the most valuable traits you can develop. Think about how your current career unfolded. You probably started out with one or two bigger decisions that put you on a general course, such as picking your field of study. Then, however, you likely made many smaller and larger decisions that further shaped how your career and allowed you to steer towards a role that aligned with your interests and talents to some extent.
New career or new niche?
Many clients I work with initially feel ready to abandon their careers entirely, saying things like, 'I’m done. I can’t do this any longer.' But through our work together, we often uncover that they still enjoy significant aspects of their roles. It’s usually just one or two key elements that need adjustment
Get clear on your priorities
If you’re feeling lost, start by clarifying what matters most to you. Ask yourself:
What are my core values?
Core values (e.g., creativity, stability, autonomy) are the guiding principles that shape how you want to live and work. When your career aligns with your values, it feels more meaningful and fulfilling. Conversely, a mismatch can lead to dissatisfaction, even in a seemingly “good” job.
What skills do I enjoy using?
This question focuses on what you’re naturally good at and what it brings when you do it. It’s not just about competency. It’s about which tasks energize you versus which ones drain you. Somehow many of us end up being pretty good at something we don’t even like that much and end up having to do it all the time.
What kind of work environment suits me best?
The work environment (e.g., collaborative, independent, remote) plays a significant role in your day-to-day satisfaction. Understanding what helps you thrive can guide you toward roles or organizations where you’ll feel more comfortable and productive.
What are my long-term goals?
Long-term goals give your career direction and purpose. Without clarity on where you’re headed, it’s easy to feel adrift or make short-term decisions that don’t align with your larger ambitions.
What lifestyle do I want my career to support?
Your career isn’t just about what you do during work hours; it’s also about how it supports the life you want to live. This question helps clarify the balance between your personal and professional priorities.
Writing down your answers can help you spot patterns and priorities that guide your decision-making. If you’re struggling to answer these questions, consider using career assessments to gain more clarity.
Narrow your options with a decision matrix
When faced with too many options, a structured approach can make decision-making easier. Create a decision matrix by listing your career options and ranking them against different criteria. You can pick and choose the criteria that are most relevant to you. Some examples are alignment with your values, growth opportunities, salary potential, and required time or resources to transition.
Assign a score to each option based on how well it meets the criteria, then total the scores. While this isn’t going to make the entire decision for you, it can help prioritize your ideas.
Start with baby steps
Taking action, even small steps, is often the key to gaining clarity and overcoming analysis paralysis. Clarity comes from action. This is something I firmly believe in and that I integrate into the work with all my clients. Break down your decision into manageable steps that help you gain clarity on your options.
Google it
Start by researching careers that interest you online. Watch several day-in-the-life videos on YouTube, TikTok or another platform. Go to a job portal like Simplyhired or Indeed and see what kinds of roles organizations are hiring for. Maybe check out O*Net for more information (but beware that their database is very detailed and can be a little overwhelming).
Informational interviews
Informational interviews are a great way to gather insider knowledge about potential careers while networking at the same time. Use LinkedIn, alumni networks, or personal connections to find people in your field of interest. By speaking directly with someone in a role or industry you’re considering, you can gain a deeper understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities. You’d be surprised how many people would be happy to help you out if you approach them with a sincere interest in what they do and how achieved getting there. They might even feel flattered. But be mindful of their time and do a little research on your own first. You can also prepare some thoughtful questions such as “What does a typical day look like for you?” or “What skills do you think are most critical for success in this role?”
Job shadowing (or volunteering)
Job shadowing involves spending time with someone in your target industry to observe their work firsthand. It’s an excellent way to get a realistic sense of what the job entails, including “insider” information that may not be immediately obvious from job descriptions. Volunteering is related option, depending on the field you’re trying to learn more about.
Courses or workshops
Short-term courses or certifications provide a low-risk way to gain exposure to a new field and develop new skills. Many are available online, making them flexible and accessible. Research the skills most valued in your target industry and look for courses that align. Websites like Coursera, edX, or Skillshare offer high-quality options, often with certificates of completion. To get the most out of the experience, actively engage in assignments and discussions.
Each small step gives you valuable information and builds momentum toward a decision.
Commit, reflect, adjust
At some point, you’ll need to make a choice. While this can feel intimidating, remember that no decision is set in stone. Most career paths allow for course correction if something doesn’t work out.
Once you’ve made your decision:
Create a roadmap with actionable steps.
Set milestones to measure your progress.
Focus on moving forward rather than second-guessing your choice.
Trust that you’ve done the work to make an informed decision and give yourself permission to commit fully.
Career paths evolve over time, and so do your priorities. Schedule regular check-ins with yourself to assess how well your current role aligns with your goals and values and course correct.
Seek support
You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Reach out to people who can offer guidance. Try to find mentors. This could be someone in your chosen new career field or someone who has walked a similar path and “gets it”. Professional career counselors and coaches can be valuable resources, as they specialize in helping individuals navigate career decisions, transitions, and challenges. They can help you clarify your goals, understand your strengths, and create actionable plans to achieve your objectives. Your friends and family can be an important source of support during a career transition.
Maintain self-care routines
Career transitions can be emotionally and mentally taxing. It's normal to feel uncertainty, doubt, or even fear when stepping into the unknown. Hence, taking care of your well-being during this time is essential. Stick to a regular sleep schedule and try to eat balanced meals. Incorporate movement into your day, whether through walking, yoga, or a workout you enjoy, to reduce stress and boost energy. Dedicate time to hobbies or activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
Conclusion
Overcoming career indecision is not about finding the perfect answer. It’s about taking intentional steps toward clarity. By understanding your priorities, addressing fears, and committing to action, you can move past analysis paralysis and pivot into a new, exciting career direction, whether this is an entirely new career or a more subtle shift into a different niche.
If you’d like guidance on navigating your career transition, I can help. I specialize in guiding professionals through career transitions by offering psychological expertise, professional assessments, structured strategies, and ongoing support. You can schedule a free introductory call to see if we’d be a good fit.
Visit my website for more info!
Read more from Sylvia Broetje
Sylvia Broetje, PhD, Career Counselor | Psychologist | Researcher
Sylvia Broetje is a career counselor and coach with a background in industrial-organizational psychology. She specializes in helping individuals navigate career transitions, discover fulfilling paths, and align professional choices with personal values. Sylvia has worked with clients in Europe and the US, blending research-based strategies with a personalized approach. She is passionate about empowering others to build meaningful careers and often shares her expertise through articles, workshops, and speaking engagements.
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