Get Unstuck & Get Promoted: How To Build Momentum In Your Career
A few years ago, I found myself at a crossroads in my career. On paper, everything seemed fine—I was a Senior Graphic Designer at a big agency. But I'd hit the ceiling, feeling stuck and stagnant.
After the pandemic, my desires began to shift and take shape, making my current role feel tighter and less aligned with who I was becoming. I knew I didn’t want to climb the traditional ladder, nor did I want to keep designing just for the sake of it. I needed something more.
Without a clear plan for what that “something more” looked like, I started seeking new job opportunities that lit me up—like mentoring others and creating tools for designers. I shifted my mindset from searching for a new job title to finding companies whose culture, values, and work resonated with me.
I wasn’t even sure what role I wanted yet, but I reached out to one company simply because I admired their energy and values. That approach opened doors. Even though I wasn’t applying for a position, they were curious about where I might fit and brought me in for an interview.
At the same time, I had an honest conversation with my manager at the agency, sharing how I felt stuck despite loving the team. That conversation opened the door to a new opportunity—a Design Manager role crafted around my strengths and interests. I earned it by solving a problem I cared about: designing a seamless onboarding experience for freelance designers so they could hit the ground running with ease. The role energised me because it aligned with my passion for helping others create at their best.
Before that, I’d never been promoted, and honestly, I didn’t understand how to get one. But when it happened, everything clicked.
Many of us believe that time equals value—that staying in a company long enough will lead to raises and promotions. But that’s not how it works. Promotions are financial recognition for work you’re already doing. They’re rarely a surprise to those who get them.
So, how do you get one? You’ve heard it before: “Go above and beyond.” But the only way to do that wholeheartedly is by solving problems you’re genuinely passionate about.
If your creative solutions are needed at your current company, you’ll likely get promoted. If not, and you’re on fire to solve those problems, find a company that values the same things you do—and go for it.
My biggest advice? Identify the problems you can solve with expertise and passion, then have an honest conversation with a trusted manager about making it happen.
When I wanted to improve the onboarding process for freelancers, no one wanted to back me. I didn’t have credibility yet, and they didn’t want to invest the time. So, I fit it into my workload over six months—sometimes even on my own time. I believed in it, and that belief paid off.
There’s nothing worse than feeling stuck and uninspired at work. But you can use that feeling as a springboard. By focusing on my values and passions, I stopped asking, “What job do I want?” and started asking, “What problems do I care about solving?” That shift changed everything. My job started feeling less like a box and more like an open field.
The workplace is your sandpit. If you're paying attention, you'll undoubtedly discover what you'd love to be doing with your life.
Exploring my curiosities this way led me to where I am today: running my own business and helping incredible people discover their creative path and make an impact. A chapter I never thought possible and one I’m deeply grateful for.
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