Ever felt like you are watching life happen instead of living it? So, what’s holding women back in their careers?
You are not alone.
I see it all the time—women stuck in their careers, doing what’s expected of them, playing it safe, making sure everything runs smoothly for everyone else. Then, one day, they realise they are standing on the sidelines, watching others take bold steps, while their own dreams gather dust.
Maybe that sounds familiar. You might have built a solid career in logistics, ensuring every moving part is where it needs to be. Or you might be in marketing, crafting perfect campaigns to make others shine.
But when it comes to stepping into your own next chapter, what’s holding women back in their careers isn’t a lack of skill—it’s the fear of judgment, failure, or simply not knowing where to begin.
Let’s talk about what’s really holding you back and how you can finally move from Spectator to Player.
Table of Contents
Why You are Stuck (And How to Get Unstuck)
Take Action to Move Past What’s Holding You Back
The Only Way Forward Is to Take Action and Stop Feeling Stuck
Tools and Resources for Women Ready to Step Up in Their Careers
Final Thoughts on Breaking Free from Career Stagnation
Why You are Stuck (And How to Get Unstuck)
Fear is a tricky thing. It disguises itself as logic, responsibility, or even humility.
“I will do it once I have more time.”
“I am not sure I am qualified enough.”
“What if people think I am trying too hard?”
Deepa had been working in logistics for 15 years. She knew the ins and outs of operations better than anyone, but when an opportunity came up to lead a major project, she hesitated. She convinced herself she wasn’t ready, that someone else would be better suited.
Meanwhile, Kevin, a colleague with half her experience but twice her confidence, applied and got the role.
Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women wait until they tick every box.
From my experience, I have seen many men overestimate their readiness and still push forward, while women hold back despite being more qualified.
I have also seen people overestimate their capabilities and end up struggling—losing sleep trying to measure up or resigning when they realise they can’t fake it any longer.
If you are a risk-taker who thrives in uncertainty, go all in.
But if you want to make a sustainable career move, apply when you know you can confidently do at least 80% of the role,
— because the last thing you want is to leap into a new career path and find yourself in hot water, completely unprepared for what you signed up for.
Let’s look at another example. Lisa, a marketing specialist who dreamed of branching out into personal branding.
She had helped dozens of executives build their professional image, but when it came to putting herself out there, she stalled. She was one of the most talented professionals I have seen. But at the same time, she never prioritised her dreams in fear of being judged.
“What if people think I’m full of myself?” she worried.
The truth is, fear will always have something to say.
But that doesn’t mean it’s right.
Take Action to Move Past What’s Holding You Back
Here are action steps I have taken myself to get unstuck and start moving forward:
Overcoming the Fear of Being Judged
- Grab a notebook.
- Write down every fear that comes up when you think about making your next move.
- Then challenge each one.
- What’s the worst-case scenario?
- What’s the best-case scenario?
- And realistically, where would you land?
When I did this exercise with Lisa, one of her challenges was: “People will judge me for posting my ideas online.”
But when we broke it down, she realised the people whose opinions she feared weren’t even in the career space she wanted to enter.
She was holding herself back based on the opinions of people who weren’t even her audience.
Take a 30-Day Challenge
Commit to a small, visible action every day for 30 days.
For Emma, it was speaking up in meetings at least once per session.
For Lisa, it was posting one LinkedIn update a week.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s momentum.
The Only Way Forward Is to Take Action and Stop Feeling Stuck
The path to transformation isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about taking action, even when you don’t feel 100% ready.
You have the power to change your life, but change doesn’t happen by thinking about it.
It happens by doing.
So, stop waiting.
Stop second-guessing.
Just Start!
And if you’re serious about making a shift but need a structured, results-driven approach, let’s work out an action plan together.
Reach out, and let’s make it happen.
Tools and Resources for Women Ready to Step Up in Their Careers
If you are ready to take action, here are some books, articles, and tools to help you move forward:
Books:
- Playing Big by Tara Mohr – A must-read for women who hesitate to take up space.
- The Confidence Code by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman – Breaks down why women often underestimate themselves.
- Atomic Habits by James Clear – Helps build small habits that lead to big change.
- Mindset by Carol Dweck – A deep dive into the power of a growth mindset.
Articles:
- Why Women Don’t Apply for Jobs Unless They’re 100% Qualified – Harvard Business Review.
- How to Overcome Fear of Failure and Take Action – Psychology Today.
- The Power of Small Wins – Harvard Business Review.
Things to Buy:
- A quality journal – Writing things down brings clarity and commitment.
- A whiteboard or sticky notes – Great for mapping out ideas and tracking progress.
- A timer – Helps with focus and consistency when taking small daily actions.
Final Thoughts on Breaking Free from Career Stagnation
We spend so much time thinking, analysing, and over-preparing that we forget the simplest truth: the only way to move forward is to take a step.
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
You don’t need permission.
You just need to start.
And if you’re serious about making a shift but need a structured, results-driven approach, let’s work out an action plan together.
Comment below with your biggest career challenge!
Reach out, and let’s make it happen.
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