Don’t Get Stuck in a Career or Identity Rut—Schedule Life Checkups and Stay Open to Change

Every year, Dominique takes a quiet morning with a notebook and coffee to check in with herself about her career plans and life priorities. She started this routine after realizing, three years into her dream job, that what once lit her up now left her drained. At her last checkup, she noticed a new pull toward teaching—so she took a short course to explore. Some experiments failed, but others revealed surprising strengths and joys she never saw coming.

Research on identity and career paths shows that regularly pausing to reflect on where our aspirations came from and how they’ve changed can prevent the all-too-common trap of identity foreclosure—locking into a plan and missing out on better-fit adventures. Those who keep running small, low-risk experiments see less regret and higher satisfaction, especially as times and interests naturally shift.

Scheduling a life checkup is like a tune-up for your motivation and sense of purpose. It keeps you from running on autopilot toward goals that no longer fit who you are—or who you’re becoming.

Book an actual life checkup on your calendar—maybe at the start and midpoint of each year. When it arrives, ask yourself, 'What did I want two years ago, and what feels most alive now?' If your original plans have shifted, acknowledge it and jot down an area you might want to explore. Run a small test: meet someone new in that field, take a class, or start a short-term side project. Notice which tasks give you energy and which ones drain it—and pay close attention to the clues you discover. Let this process hook you into a cycle of curiosity and growth.