Success Story

Breaking Free: How I Escaped the Job I Thought I Couldn’t Leave

Every morning, I woke up with a pit in my stomach. Another long day in a job that drained me. I told myself I had no other choice—that my skills were too niche, the risks too high, the financial burden too great. It was a story I repeated so often that I believed it. But here’s the thing: that story wasn’t true. We all love stories. Sometimes, they’re entertaining—romantic comedies, a good break-up song, the newest action-packed superhero tales, or legends passed down through generations. But sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones we tell ourselves about our own lives. And if we’re not careful, those stories can trap us. For years, I told myself I was stuck. That leaving my job wasn’t an option. But when I finally examined the story I was telling myself, I saw it for what it was—a fiction. And by rewriting it with lots of internal reflection and Josh’s invaluable help, I changed my career and my life. Here’s how I did it, and how you can too.

The Myth of Specialization: You're More Than Your Job Title

I used to believe my skills were too specific to transfer elsewhere. I thought, I’m an expert in putting Widget A into Slot B—who else would need that? But then I stopped thinking about my job in such narrow terms. Instead of focusing on my industry-specific skill, I considered the qualities that made me successful—problem-solving, adaptability, leadership, and a willingness to master a craft. Those are valuable in any role. When I shifted my mindset from What job fits my current skill set? to What skills do I have that companies value?, I realized I had more opportunities than I thought. And so do you.

The Golden Handcuffs: Are They Really Locked?

Another excuse I clung to was the idea that my lifestyle depended on my current job. If I left, I assumed, my wife and I’s quality of life would suffer. But had I ever actually tested that assumption? The truth is, plenty of companies reward their employees well. Mine wasn’t the only place offering financial stability. And beyond money, I started considering a different kind of wealth—mental well-being, job satisfaction, and work-life balance. I realized the real cost of staying was greater than the cost of leaving.

The Real Risk: Staying vs. Leaving

The final hurdle was fear. Changing jobs—or careers—felt like an enormous risk. But then I asked myself: Is staying actually less risky? If I changed jobs, indeed there was a possibility I might still be unhappy. But if I stayed, unhappiness was a certainty. That realization made the choice clear.

Rewriting My Story—And You Can Too

Once I recognized that my self-imposed limitations weren’t real, I took action. I started networking, researching opportunities, and opening myself up to possibilities I had once dismissed. And it worked. Today, I’m in a role that challenges and excites me, and I no longer wake up dreading the day ahead. So ask yourself—are you really stuck, or is that just the story you’ve been telling yourself? If I could rewrite mine, so can you. It starts with one step: questioning the assumptions that keep you in place.

Josh Neuer is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Greenville, SC. Josh’s Life’s Work is to Make Room for Hope and Healing. Josh is Passionate about Empowering Meaningful Change in People with Counseling, Coaching and Consulting. He is the founder of Joshua Neuer, LLC, a committed husband and father, and is absolutely crazy about relationships!

Josh Neuer, Licensed Professional Counselor, Coach and Consultant

Founder, Joshua Neuer, LLC Counseling

1326 Haywood Road Suite 202 Greenville, SC 29615

864 660-3844 | Josh@JoshNeuer.com

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Josh Neuer, LPCFebruary 12, 2025