You Want More from Your Work – But Don’t Know How

You want more – but you're not sure what

Your work feels too small. Or too flat. Your talents aren’t being used fully. Maybe you started out enthusiastic, but now it feels like you’re going in circles. Something’s missing — but what? You’re working hard, doing everything that’s expected, but something isn’t right. Maybe you’re craving more challenge, more recognition, more freedom to shape things in your own way. Or a sense of purpose. And that feeling won’t go away – no matter how much you try to rationalise it.

That longing matters. It says something about your ambition, your need for growth, your desire for meaningful work. But it can also feel frustrating – especially when you don’t know what you actually want instead.

What makes it heavier

Many clients I work with feel a strong sense of responsibility for their work or their team. And some experience that responsibility not just as heavy — but almost suffocating. That makes it even harder to explore new options. You want more – but you also feel the pressure to just keep going. And there’s the realisation: if I want more, that might also mean more responsibility. While that’s the last thing you want more of.

Between dream and reality

When you’re unsure what you do want, it’s tempting to fantasise about something completely different. Something creative. Something hands-on. Something in nature, or with more real human connection. Many people quietly dream of a different life — as a writer, a barista, a forest ranger. And that makes sense. It says something about your longing for freedom, autonomy, creativity or peace.

Of course, part of you also knows: you probably can’t earn a living that way. And maybe it doesn’t actually suit you. So you push the idea away — without getting any closer to clarity.

Still, those dreams matter. Not because you have to pursue them literally — but because they reveal what you’re missing now. And maybe you can find some of that in your current role. Or in your free time. Or in the direction you’d like to grow in. Think of projects where you get to be more creative. Where you decide the direction. Or tasks that let you use your strengths. It’s not about a huge career change overnight — it’s about slowly moving in the right direction. Those small steps may not seem like much, but over time, they can lead to real change. You’re building a professional profile that gets noticed — not just inside your organisation, but beyond it too.

Sometimes the solution lies elsewhere. Maybe you don’t want a different job — but you do want more space. For example, by working one day less, or starting a small side project. Something that lets you use different parts of yourself, or brings you more energy. Those steps may seem minor — but they can make a big difference.

And sometimes you arrive at a different insight: that work doesn’t have to fulfil everything.

That it’s okay if not every part of your job is meaningful — or if you sometimes have to accept how things go. Work is also just work — and you’re getting paid for a reason. That realisation can bring some peace: you don’t always need to chase something bigger.

What coaching can do

Coaching helps you take these questions seriously. It invites you to stop dismissing your longings — and start exploring them. What’s missing for you? What are you drawn to? And how can you move forward, step by step — without throwing everything overboard?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But coaching helps you get back in motion. To listen to yourself more clearly. And to make choices that match who you are — and who you want to become.

Curious if coaching could help you? 

Many of my clients are expats navigating work life in the Netherlands – and coaching in English helps them get the clarity they need.

Learn more about my approach or book a free consultation to see what might work for you.

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