How to find your roadmap to meaningful work

Liz Barry
Aug 22
3 min read

We spend more time at work than anywhere else—so why does loving what we do feel out of reach for so many? For countless professionals, the dream of waking up excited for the day has quietly slipped into the rear-view mirror.

The Hardest Part Isn’t Figuring It Out

As a career coach, I hear the same two frustrations over and over again:

“I have this job I hate, but I don’t know what I want.”
“I built this business I don’t love anymore, and I don’t know what’s next.”

What we often discover together is that the real problem isn’t a lack of clarity—it’s a lack of courage to admit what you actually want.

Because let’s be honest: there’s a big difference between not knowing what you want and not admitting what you want. Sometimes, acknowledging your true desire feels scarier than being lost—because once you admit it, the pressure’s on.

Where Resistance Shows Up

Resistance tends to take two main forms:

Avoidance of things we don’t really want — the “shoulds” and obligations that feel heavy.
Avoidance of things we deeply want but feel scared to pursue — the exciting but intimidating projects.

I’ve experienced this myself. When I was developing a course I really wanted to create, I found myself doing everything except the work: watching Instagram reels, baking ginger crunch, eating chips, even playing with my dog. Because the thing that I really wanted to do felt scary.

Sound familiar? That’s resistance in action.

The Money Myth That Keeps Us Stuck

Another major roadblock is money. Many people believe:

Fulfilling work = poverty
Financial security = soul-sucking work

One client, a successful woman in law, once told me, “I can’t leave to become a potter - I like my iPhone too much.”

I had to laugh and ask her, “Do you really think potters don’t have iPhones?”

It was a breakthrough moment. Our fears of financial ruin are often exaggerated stories we tell ourselves. The truth is, meaningful work and financial stability are not mutually exclusive.

A Small Challenge for You

If you’re feeling stuck in your career, here's my challenge for you today: drop one thing that feels bad, and lean a little further in the direction of something that feels good.

For example:

If your weekly report fills you with dread, see if it can be streamlined or automated.
Reaching out to someone you want to talk to, instead of forcing yourself to network with someone you “should”
If mentoring junior staff gives you energy, block an hour to do more of it.

You don’t need to know your dream job yet. But your internal compass already knows what feels “warm” and what feels “cold.” Start following the warmth, even in small ways, and you’ll be moving toward more meaningful work.

Your Roadmap to Meaningful Work

Finding work you love isn’t about a dramatic overnight change—it’s about small, steady choices. By noticing what lights you up, moving through resistance one step at a time, and refusing to let money myths keep you stuck, you’ll build a career that truly sustains you—both emotionally and financially.

xo Liz

P.S. And if you’d like a proven framework to help guide you there, that’s exactly what my program Become Your Own Pathfinder was designed to do. Check it out here

P.P.S. - If you're feeling lost in your career, wondering what’s next, or questioning what truly lights you up, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I know how overwhelming it can feel.

That’s why I created Make Your Next Career Move Count—a free ebook to guide you through the exact process I used to find clarity and build a fulfilling career using the most effective path to career change:

✅ Soul Search – Uncover what truly matters to you

✅ Research – Explore possibilities that align with your interests, strengths and values

✅ Job Search – Take confident steps toward work that excites you