Feeling Trapped in Your Career? Here’s the Uncomfortable Truth I Learnt After 1,877 Days Running Barefoot for Charity!

Have you ever dreaded Monday so much it ruins your Sunday? If you’re reading this, you probably know exactly what I mean. Let me grab your attention doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different outcome, is the definition of insanity. If that stings a little, you’re not alone. In today’s Runpreneur Diary, I dig into a conversation that might just change the trajectory of your career and your life.

Why I’m Not Just Running I’m Running for Children’s Lives

Before we dive in, remember: every step I take is part of my mission to run BEYOND 4,292 days, cover 40,075 km (that’s a lap of the world barefoot!), and, crucially, raise £1,000,000 for children’s causes. The more lives my journey touches, the more lives we save together. Join me, share, and let’s reach more people!

Feeling Trapped? Here’s What I Learnt (the Hard Way)

Recently, a friend opened up about hating their job. Senior position, great salary, but they’re hollow inside. Maybe that sounds familiar? Sure, I shifted from employment to entrepreneurship 20 years ago, but the feelings of frustration and hopelessness? Universal.

Step 1: Time Out Isn’t a Luxury; It’s a Lifeline

When you feel cornered by your career, take a break properly. Not just a lazy weekend. You need distance to regain perspective. Think of it as recharging your mental batteries before returning to the fight. If a holiday is planned, use it to do some serious thinking, not just to forget work for a few days.

Interactive Moment:

Have you actually taken real time out? Comment below with where you’d go if you could step away for a week!

Step 2: The Brutally Honest Audit Why Are You Unhappy?

On your break, ask yourself: Why am I truly unhappy? Dig deep. Is it a toxic colleague? Monotony? Zero passion? Use AI tools to brainstorm, as sometimes speaking to a digital confidant makes you bolder and more honest than with friends or family who might have their own biases.

Try This:

Bounce your unfiltered thoughts off a chatbot or, if brave, jot them in a private journal. Clarity starts with candour.

Step 3: The Rule of Three Small Changes, Massive Impact

Don’t drown in ‘to-dos’. I swear by the Rule of Three. Pick three (and only three) things you can change to improve your work situation. It could be asking for a new project, switching teams, or taking the big leap finding a new role altogether.

If more ideas come to you, prioritise ruthlessly. Maximum three. Why? Because you need to focus, not overwhelm.

Your Turn:

What are your three essential changes? Drop them in the comments, or keep them private just commit!

Step 4: Accept Fear But Don’t Let It Win

Let’s be real. Change is scary, especially with a family depending on your income. But is staying miserable truly less risky than doing something about it? Only you can answer that.

My Biggest Learning?

If you do nothing, nothing changes except you get more demoralised and bitter. You don’t have to make radical change overnight. Just make some change. By breaking it down this way, every single one of us can make our careers more bearable maybe even brilliant again.

Will You Help Me Change More Than Just Careers?

If my message resonated, please share this post. Every view, every like, every share gets us closer to raising £1,000,000 for children in desperate need. This mission is bigger than one runner, or one reader it’s about saving lives through action, just as much as you’re ready to take action in your own.

Stay positive, stay happy. Drop me your questions or stories below I personally answer them. And if your Sunday dread is real? You know what to do.

Kevin Brittain, Runpreneur