Taking control of your career

Have you ever felt like you have no control over your career path?

Maybe it feels like things just happen to you. Promotions that don’t come through, opportunities that pass you by, decisions made in rooms you’re not in. It’s frustrating, and it can leave you feeling powerless.

If that’s where you are right now, you’re not alone. But that sense of powerlessness might be a sign you’ve slipped into what I call a victim mindset, where everything feels like it’s happening to you rather than because of you.

And while that mindset is a perfectly human response to disappointment, it doesn’t serve you for long. The good news? You can shift it. Here’s how to move from victim to ownership so you can take back control of your career and your confidence.

Recognise when you’re in a victim mindset
Awareness is the first step. Notice the stories you’re telling yourself. Do you often feel like you’re the one who gets the short end of the stick? Do you find yourself blaming others for what’s not working? Do you believe you have no real control over what happens next?
If you answered yes to any of those, it’s okay. You’re human. But now that you’ve noticed it, you can start to shift it.

Take ownership of your choices
Taking ownership doesn’t mean blaming yourself for everything. It means taking back your power. You might not control every circumstance, but you do control how you respond. You choose your next step, your attitude, your boundaries, and your energy. Every time you choose intentionally instead of reactively, you build confidence in your ability to lead yourself.

Reconnect with your values
One of the most powerful ways to regain a sense of control is to get clear on what really matters to you. What do you value most in your work? Growth? Contribution? Autonomy? Connection?
When you make decisions that align with your values, you’ll feel more grounded, even when things around you are shifting. That’s real power.

Practice mindful awareness
Our thoughts can spiral quickly when we’re frustrated or feel overlooked. Mindfulness helps you catch those stories before they take over. It’s not about silencing your inner critic; it’s about noticing her, thanking her for trying to protect you, and choosing a different story to believe. This simple awareness can be the bridge between “I can’t” and “I choose to.”

Take one small action
Action is the antidote to helplessness. You don’t need to overhaul your entire career overnight. Just take one small, intentional step. Reach out to someone for a conversation. Update your development plan. Ask for feedback. Every time you take action, you remind yourself: I’m not stuck. I’m steering.

Shifting from a victim mindset to an ownership mindset doesn’t happen overnight, but each step you take reclaims a little more of your agency. It’s how you go from reacting to life to leading it. And that’s where real growth and leadership begin.