7 Signs Your Restlessness Is Actually Pointing to Growth

Feeling stuck doesn’t always mean something’s wrong—it might mean you’re on the edge of something new.

In our professional lives, especially as leaders, there are moments when a subtle (or not-so-subtle) restlessness begins to build. You might feel burned out, uninspired, misaligned, or uncertain about what's next. This restlessness can be frustrating—but it can also be a meaningful signal.

You don’t have to be actively job searching or in crisis to sense that something’s shifting. In fact, many of the leaders I work with are still performing well on the outside, but inside they’re asking bigger questions. They’re wondering if they’re still in the right place, if they’ve outgrown something, or if they’re being called to evolve in a new way.

If you’re noticing any of the signs below, your discomfort might be trying to tell you something important.

1. Your sense of clarity or direction has faded

You used to know where you were heading—or at least felt confident about the general path. Now? Things feel murkier. Even small decisions start to feel heavy. You might be questioning whether your role, organization, or even your field still fits you.

Reflection prompts:

• When do I feel most unclear or uncertain?

• What would help me reconnect with a sense of purpose or direction?

2. You feel misaligned with your role or responsibilities

You’re showing up and getting the job done—but it doesn’t feel quite right anymore. Maybe the mission still matters to you, but the day-to-day work feels draining or disconnected from your strengths.

Reflection prompts:

• Where do I feel most misaligned in my current role?

• What aspects of my work energize me, and which ones deplete me?

3. You keep fantasizing about doing something different

You catch yourself daydreaming about other careers, organizations, or ways of working. It might not be a clear plan—but your imagination is pointing you toward something else.

Reflection prompts:

• What are the themes in what I keep imagining or exploring?

• What would I pursue if I didn’t feel pressure to justify it?

4. You feel emotionally disconnected from your work

What used to spark pride or excitement now leaves you feeling numb, unmotivated, or stuck. You might be checking boxes, but you no longer feel a strong emotional connection to what you’re doing.

Reflection prompts:

• What parts of my work used to bring me joy or fulfillment?

• What’s changed—and how might I reconnect with what matters?

5. You’re craving more creativity, flexibility, or freedom

Maybe your role feels too rigid. Or maybe you’re yearning to build or contribute in new ways but haven’t found the space to do it. You might be feeling boxed in, like your growth has stalled.

Reflection prompts:

• Where in my life do I feel most free to explore and grow?

• What small experiments could I try to bring more creativity into my work?

6. You’ve started doubting your leadership or impact

Even if you’ve had past success, you’re questioning your effectiveness or wondering whether you’re still the right person for the job. You might feel like your skills aren’t being fully used—or like you’re not growing in the ways you want to.

Reflection prompts:

• What feedback or signals am I getting about how I’m showing up?

• What kind of support or learning could help me lead with more confidence?

7. You don’t recognize yourself in how you’re showing up lately

Sometimes you can trace it to something specific—like a change in your team or priorities. Other times, it's like you can’t identify any clear reason at all. You just know something feels off.

Reflection prompts:

• What parts of me have I been ignoring or suppressing in this chapter of my work?

• What’s one compassionate way I could respond to myself right now?

It’s okay to want something else

There’s nothing wrong with wanting something different, something new. Just because you committed to a job, a location, a field, or a way of life doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it forever. You can evolve. You can experiment. You can grow.

“What is the purpose of living if not to discover who you truly are—and to live in service of that?
And how will you discover that if you simply maintain the status quo?”

Change doesn’t always start with drastic action. Often, it begins with small, intentional reflection. Then, gradually, you can begin to make decisions that reflect where you are now—not who you used to be.

Want a thought partner in your corner?

If you’re craving more alignment in your leadership, feeling burned out, or questioning whether your current path reflects who you are—you don’t have to sort through it alone.

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