Have you ever felt like a round peg in a square hole at work? No matter how hard you try, things just don’t seem to click. If this sounds familiar then you’re not alone. Misalignment with your role or organization is far more common than you might think—and it’s not just frustrating, it’s exhausting.
That feeling of running on a hamster wheel, putting in effort but getting nowhere, isn’t a sign of failure. In fact, it’s valuable feedback from yourself to yourself. Let’s explore what workplace misalignment looks like, the impact it can have on you and most importantly, what you can do about it.
Signs of misalignment
Misalignment at work isn’t always obvious. It can creep in slowly until one day, you’re left wondering why you feel so off. Here are some key signs to watch for:
- Disengagement and Lack of Motivation – tasks that once excited you may now feel mundane. It can go one of two ways – you might find yourself disengaged and checked out or on the verge of burnout.
- Working Harder, but Going Nowhere – despite increased effort, you’re not achieving the results you’d expect and this leads to frustration.
- Doubting Your Abilities – you might constantly second-guess yourself or feel like your efforts aren’t paying off and your negative self-talk is through the roof.
- Values Mismatch – when your personal values—such as creativity, collaboration, or growth—don’t align with your organization’s priorities, it can leave you feeling disconnected.
Take a moment to reflect: Are you still learning and growing in your role, or does each day feel like a rinse-and-repeat routine? Do you end your day feeling accomplished and energised or drained and questioning whether you can keep going?
The impact on you and what you can do
Misalignment’s effects go far beyond your workday. The internal dialogue it triggers can be damaging, filling your mind with negative self-talk like “I’m not working hard enough” or “Maybe I’m just not good enough for this role.” This mindset can spiral, taking a toll on your mental health, physical well-being and even your personal life.
Stress and exhaustion often spill over, affecting relationships, disrupting sleep, and sapping joy from hobbies and downtime. The “Sunday night feeling”—dreading the upcoming work week—may creep in earlier and earlier, overshadowing your weekends.
If this sounds like your reality, don’t panic. Misalignment isn’t a life sentence, it’s a signal that something needs to change. Here’s how to start:
Short-term strategies
Begin by focusing on what you can control. If you know me, you know I’m all about the little wins. Small victories can build momentum and help you regain a sense of accomplishment. For example:
- Complete that task that’s been weighing on you and has been hanging around forever – send the email or update the report and get it off your list.
- Take a moment to acknowledge what’s going well, even if it feels minor.
One strategy to try is to set aside time midweek to reflect on your progress. I call it “Winsday.” Take stock of what’s gone well so far and set a few achievable goals for the remainder of the week. It’s a small, corny habit—but it works!
Longer-term solutions
Take time to identify the root of the issue. Is it the role, the work environment, or something else? Once you’ve pinpointed the problem, start crafting a vision for a career that feels more aligned with your values and skills.
Ask yourself tough but important questions:
- What aspects of your work feel meaningful?
- Are you able to use your strengths effectively?
- Is the organisation’s mission or culture out of sync with your personal values?
From there you can start making adjustments, whether it’s tweaking your role, shifting your mindset or exploring new opportunities entirely.
Take time to think about your why. If your work doesn’t feel meaningful, dig deeper to understand why. Is it the organisation’s goals that feel off? Or perhaps you’re not able to use your skills in a way that feels satisfying. Getting curious and taking small, deliberate steps can help set you on a path to a more fulfilling career.
Take the next step
Misalignment isn’t a sign of personal or professional failure. It’s feedback—a reminder to pause, reflect and realign. Whether it’s a mindset shift, a role adjustment, or a full career change, the key is to listen to those signals and take action.
If you’ve experienced misalignment at work, I’d love to hear your story. How did you navigate it? And if you’re feeling stuck right now, see this as your sign to take the first step toward change. Sometimes a little guidance can make all the difference.
Let’s chat—book a free 30-minute call with me to explore how I can support you in creating the career you deserve.
