Reignite Your Career: How I Recentered My Energy (and Found My Spark Again)

I love what I do. Helping people rediscover meaning in their work and find new roles is what fuels me. But somewhere along the way, I noticed my energy wasn’t going where I wanted it to.

Running a business means wearing all the hats, including marketing, operations, client management, and endless admin tasks. I was doing everything, but not feeling connected to the work that mattered most: my clients. My focus had scattered like sparks instead of building into a steady fire.

When exhaustion or frustration makes change feel overwhelming, small steps can provide a stress-releasing path to future momentum. Research shows that every small success releases dopamine, the brain’s natural motivation chemical. This creates a steady loop of energy and engagement. Progress, not perfection, is the real spark that keeps you moving.

Know What’s Really Draining You

At first, I thought I was tired from helping too many people. But when I got honest with myself, it wasn’t my clients that left me drained, it was the noise around the work.

Quick gut check:

• Are you spending more time on logistics than impact?

• Do you end your day feeling busy but not fulfilled?

• Is your calendar full but your focus thin?

Zoom in: Once I named the real problem of distraction, not disenchantment, it became easier to redirect my energy to where it mattered.

Make Micro-Changes, Not Massive Shifts

Instead of blowing up my schedule or reinventing my process, I looked for small, manageable ways to get back on track.

Here’s what worked for me:

• I blocked “client-only” mornings to protect my most creative energy.

• I set time limits for admin tasks (because inboxes can eat entire afternoons).

• I reintroduced one passion project per quarter, allowing me to maintain a creative focus outside of my day-to-day responsibilities.

What happened: Each slight shift helped me feel more present, more intentional, and more aligned.

Let Curiosity Reignite Your Energy

When I started feeling scattered, I reminded myself that I built this business to help people grow, explore, and find meaning in their work. So, I began doing that for myself as well.

I let curiosity lead:

• I reached out to peers doing innovative work and learned from their ideas.

• I conducted small experiments to explore new routines and workspaces.

• I explored topics that reignited my own sense of wonder about careers and purpose.

The reality: Curiosity didn’t just re-energize me, it gave me fresh insights to share with my clients.

Boundaries: The Backbone of Focus

As a coach, I often discuss boundaries, but I had to relearn them for myself. It’s easy to fill every gap with “just one more thing,” but that mindset slowly chips away at your best energy.

Here’s how I reset:

• I protected time for deep thinking, not just doing.

• I stopped over-scheduling myself to please everyone.

• I treated recovery time as a professional responsibility, not a reward.

• For every item I said ‘yes’ to, I selected something I would remove.

The result? More focus, more creativity, and more meaningful client connections.

The One-Week Spark Challenge

If you’ve been feeling pulled in too many directions, try this quick reset.

For one week:

Monday: Start the week with a focused task that connects to your “why.”

Tuesday: Decline one distraction (even a small one).

Wednesday: Spend 10 minutes reconnecting with a client story that inspired you.

Thursday: Block one hour for creative thinking, no screens allowed.

Friday: Reflect on what felt most energizing—and protect that space next week.

Little wins add up. Real change comes from taking the time to think things through and engaging in consistent reflection.

Relight that Flame

Sometimes, your spark doesn’t go out; it just gets buried under the weight of everything else. When you take small, intentional steps to reconnect with what you love, that fire comes back stronger than before.

Please let me know if you use any of these strategies or share what’s worked for you in the past. Alternatively, reach out if you feel you need some help relighting your spark.

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I’m Hillary Hufford-Tucker, founder of Relevated Brands. Since 2019, I’ve helped professionals build relevance and elevate their visibility with standout resumes, optimized LinkedIn profiles, and personal brand strategies tailored to their goals. I’m certified in career coaching, transitions, reinvention, and digital strategy, and I hold an MA in strategic communications, as well as a Level Two Award in Wine from WSET (because I believe in well-rounded credentials). I split my time between Illinois and California, and when I’m not working with clients, I’m usually cycling, traveling, writing, or enjoying a great Syrah—sometimes all at once.

👀Read more of my blog posts here.