There are days when I come to the end of my rope.
I’m not moving forward.
I’m not moving backward either.
I’m just here.
In the same spot that I felt like I was at the beginning of the week, the month, or even years.
So when I hear many of you describe the same feeling, I get it.
This is especially true for Gen Z right now. Many are navigating hiring cycles filled with ghosting and vague feedback. They’re entering workplaces where expectations are assumed rather than explained—leading to constant second-guessing, imposter syndrome, and a growing sense that progress is impossible.
All of this leads to high levels of stress and anxiety.
Studies show that Gen Z reports higher levels of workplace stress and anxiety than any other generation currently in the workforce. Recent workforce research also shows that fewer than half of Gen Z employees feel confident they’re on the right career path, and many don’t clearly understand what success actually looks like in their role.
Together, this paints a clear picture of what happens when capable people are asked to succeed in environments that lack clarity.
If this is you, if you’ve felt any part of this, I need you to hear this…
YOU ARE NOT BROKEN.
That anxiety you feel is a signal, not a flaw.
It’s not an issue of motivation.
It’s not a question of confidence.
The real issue at play here is clarity.
The Importance of Clarity
Clarity doesn’t mean having every answer. It means knowing what’s expected, how success is measured, and where to focus your energy.
What does it feel like to work in an environment where clarity is missing?
Tasks aren’t clearly defined. You’re unsure who is responsible for what, or how decisions are actually made. Feedback, when it comes, is often vague or inconsistent. You’re told to “be more proactive,” but no one explains what that means in this context.
Should you speak up more in meetings?
Take on projects without asking?
Send more updates?
You’re left guessing—and every guess feels like a risk.
Over time, this doesn’t just make work harder. It makes you question whether you’re capable at all.
Clarity is not optional in a healthy workplace. It’s foundational.
When clarity is present, anxiety decreases. You stop second-guessing. Effort becomes directional. And progress becomes possible—not overnight, but over time.
Here’s What I’ve Come to Understand
Feeling stuck is often a sign that clarity, not capability, is missing.
When people are given that clarity, progress becomes possible again.
This is why so many capable people feel stuck: they’re working without the clarity needed to move forward.
So if you’re feeling stuck right now, a good place to start is this question:
What is unclear about what I’m working on—or what I’m being asked to do?
Clarity doesn’t solve everything. But it creates movement.
And movement is often what people need most.
