Moms, When You Feel Stuck in Your Career, Remember This

If you’ve ever sat in your car after work and thought, “Is this really it?” — I see you. For nearly two years I worked for a well respected organization but did not see eye to eye with my boss. I remember crying every morning on my way to work and every evening on the way home. It was at least a 90 minute drive each way so I had a lot of time to reflect. I listened to self help books and prayed for a way out. 

I was going to different interviews every couple of weeks and kept getting offer after offer. Some of them were for way more than I was making, but nothing felt right. So every morning, I’d continue that hellacious drive down I-95 praying for a miracle. And one day, I got it.

I knew from the moment I met my current boss, nearly 9 years ago, that this would be the job I would come to accept. I never planned on staying at any job for this long, but it has been such a blessing to me and my family.

My patience paid off and the last 9 years have been nothing short of amazing. It’s the place where I’ve had multiple promotions and all three of my babies. I’ve worked there both onsite and remote.

Sure, there have been challenges, but I love a good challenge. My boss always says that if you’re not being challenged then you’re not growing.

Maybe you’ve climbed a few rungs of the ladder, maybe you’re still staring up at it. Maybe you’re juggling motherhood and deadlines and wondering when it’s your turn to feel fulfilled. Or maybe you’ve hit that frustrating space where your ambition is alive and well… but the opportunities feel just out of reach.

Wherever you are, I want to speak life into your situation today—because you’re not stuck. You might just be strengthening the muscles God needs you to have for what’s next.

After nearly 20 years in building a career —working in marketing and communications, often alongside CEOs and top executives—I’ve learned a few things about growth. Through promotions, pivots, long nights, and even seasons of burnout, three things have remained constant in my life and my work:

I’ve gone to church regularly and prioritized my walk with God.

I’ve taken care of my health—mentally and physically.

I’ve focused on building strong, honest relationships at work.

And when I look back, I can see that every time I’ve felt stuck or unsure, getting back to those three things has always helped me move forward.

So if you’re feeling stalled or unseen in your career, I want to offer you this:
Put God first. Put yourself second. Build meaningful relationships.

Let’s break that down.

1. Put God First
It sounds simple, but I know how easy it is to slip into focusing on yourself. Believing that everything you have is already in you. Companies spend a lot of money in marketing that to you and chances are you’ve bought into it a few times. I know I’ve slipped and made that mistake more times than I’d like to admit.

When you’re trying to build a career, raise a family, and still keep the house clean, it’s tempting to treat faith like an “extra”—something for Sunday, or a quick devotional in the car line.

But what I’ve learned is this: God isn’t like a shot of espresso you take when you need a pick me up. He isn’t just part of the journey—He is the journey. When I surrender my plans, my timelines, and my goals to Him, things begin to shift. Doors open I couldn’t have forced. People show up I couldn’t have planned for.

When you put God first—when you make space for prayer, for worship, for His Word—your perspective starts to change. You stop looking for validation and start walking in purpose.

2. Put Yourself Second (Not First, But Not Last)
We hear it all the time: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” But let me be real with you—so many of us are running on fumes anyway. You have to put your proverbial oxygen mask on before you can help others.

When I say put yourself second, I mean take care of your body. You only have one. Right behind God, prioritize your mental and physical health. This isn’t about spending a ton of money at the spa or having elaborate getaways (though those are nice too). It’s about movement, rest, boundaries, and healing.

I’ve made the gym a part of my life for over 20 years—not for how I look, but for how I feel. I’ve always shared that sentiment. If I don’t go the gym, I don’t sleep well. And, if I don’t sleep well, chances are people aren’t going to want to be around me. Heck, I don’t even want to be around myself if I’m not getting the rest I need. I used to jokingly say that I go to the gym so I don’t punch people. My mind and body both need what physical exercise provides and there’s a good chance yours does, too. God didn’t make us to be sedentary.

Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It’s preparation for your purpose.

3. Focus on Building Relationships at Work
My boss used to drive me crazy with all of the talk about relationships. But as it turns out with most things, she’s right. You may have all the skills in the world, but without relationships, you’ll stay stuck.

I prioritize people. I talk to everyone—from interns to executives. I try to listen more than I speak. And this isn’t always easy for an introvert. Sometimes the last thing I want to do is talk to someone.

I’ve definitely been the person trying to avoid eye contact on the way to the bathroom just so I didn’t have to stop and talk. Or, I’ve waited to make my coffee (decaf only for me – I quit caffeine years ago) until no one else was around the Keurig. I’ve avoided lunches with coworkers because I wanted to focus on my projects. But that isn’t what helps you grow and if you’re like me, you have to step outside of your comfort zone sometimes and make the effort to talk to and spend time with your colleagues.

I follow through on my word. And now, I make space for conversations that matter.

That’s what opens doors.

Even when promotions feel far off or recognition feels scarce, the relationships you nurture can carry you to places no resume ever will. And guess what? We’re going to talk a lot more about this here on the blog.

Because I believe in the power of community—not just for moms, but at work. Relationships are how we rise. They’re how we get seen. And they’re how we stay grounded.

Final Thoughts
You don’t need to burn out or, even worse, sell out to move forward.

Put God first. Strengthen yourself. Build connections.

You are not stuck—you are being shaped. You are not behind—you are being prepared. And as a woman, a mom, a daughter of God with a voice and a calling, I want you to know: your career can grow without you losing yourself in the process.

I’m cheering for you—and we’re just getting started.

Let’s build careers and lives we’re proud of, together.

Resources

I’ve created two free Morning Routine Planners just for you. Click here to access option one and here to access option two.