Career violations like layoffs, power-hungry bosses, and toxic workplaces are real—and can be devastating. If they persist over time, you begin to feel wronged and powerless. If that’s not bad enough, there is a secondary impact. You shut down mentally.

Let me break it down for you. Here are ways the victim perspective narrows your thinking

Limits perceived options: Your focus shifts to asking, who caused this or why is this unfair? This reduces attention to questions like, what can I control right now or what small action can I take to improve my situation?

Shifts responsibility outward: You may, in fact, have experienced a real external threat or violation. But focusing on outward causes reduces your sense of personal agency. As a result, problem-solving may stall because action feels pointless or impossible.

Increases emotional load: Feelings like anger, fear, shame, or resentment take up mental bandwidth. You may resort to short-term venting rather than sustainable fixes. Additionally, you can begin to burn out your support system.

These are all problematic impacts. But the one that hurts my clients seeking career satisfaction and success the most is the erosion of creativity. When you feel stuck and victimized, you don’t see options. You can’t think outside the box. The best next step (which might not be that hard) eludes you.

For all these reasons, I want you to take back your agency and your brilliance. If you feel victimized by an aspect of your current career situation, I invite you to shift your mentality to massive accountability. Now you are in charge.