Remember the excitement you felt when you first chose your major? Or when you landed that first "real" job? That spark of possibility, the sense that you were building toward something meaningful?

If that feeling has dimmed—or disappeared entirely—you're not alone, and you're not broken. You're simply at a crossroads that millions of professionals face.

Take a moment this week to ask yourself: Why did I start on this path? Was it family expectations? Financial security? Genuine passion? Or maybe you've simply outgrown what once excited you. All of these reasons are valid, and all of them can change.

For recent graduates still finding their footing: it's okay if your first career choice doesn't feel perfect. This is exploration, not a life sentence. For those several years into their careers: that restless feeling isn't ingratitude—it's growth calling.

And for parents watching your adult children wrestle with these questions: resist the urge to remind them how "good" they have it. Today's workforce values purpose alongside paychecks, and that's not selfish—it's smart.

The most successful people aren't necessarily those who never changed direction, but those who had the courage to realign when their path no longer served them. Your career should energize you, not drain you.

This week's reflection: Write down three things that originally drew you to your field. Do they still
resonate? If not, what would? Sometimes the answer isn't a complete career overhaul—sometimes it's finding a new application for existing skills.

Your future self deserves work that lights you up.