How Do You Know When It’s Time To Realign?

At some point in life, we all find ourselves chasing things that once excited us, only to realise they no longer do. The title, the salary, the relationship, the achievements, they still look good on paper, but they stop feeling right.

I know that feeling well. For years, I was leading a global business, managing multimillion-dollar markets and travelling constantly. From the outside, it looked like I’d made it. I was married, successful, and ticking every box that should have added up to happiness. But deep down, I knew something was off. I was living a life that made sense to everyone but me.

Eventually, I did what most people might call reckless, I left my seven-year marriage and quit my job, both in the same week, with no plan. It was terrifying. But it also forced me to start over and figure out what I actually wanted. That experience taught me a lot about what “alignment” actually means, and how to recognise when you’ve lost it.

Here’s what I’ve learned, and what I now see many grappling with too:

1. Listen when your wins stop feeling like wins

When success stops feeling satisfying, it’s often a huge indicator of misalignment. I remember closing some of the biggest deals of my career and feeling nothing. That was my wake-up call. If you’re chasing goals purely out of habit, it might be time to ask if they still matter  or if you’re just afraid to change direction.

2. Get clear on what alignment looks like now

Our definitions of success evolve, but we rarely stop to update them. For years, I equated growth with constant achievement. When I finally stepped away, I realised growth could also mean slowing down or pursuing work that feels purposeful. Take the time to define what right feels like for you now, not five years ago. You may find that what once motivated you no longer fits who you’ve become.

3. Don’t Wait for a Breakdown to Make a Change

You don’t need to wait for things to fall apart before you move. Change doesn’t always come with a big moment. Sometimes it’s a slow realisation that something just doesn’t fit anymore. I realised I didn’t need to have it all figured out before taking a step. You don’t need a perfect plan either. Just a bit of courage and a willingness to trust your instincts.

4. Do it even if you feel scared.

We love the idea of reinvention, but the truth is, it can get pretty uncomfortable. Growth will stretch you, test you, and make you question yourself over and over but that discomfort usually means you’re on the right track. Over time, I built the Female Founders Network to create the kind of community I wish I’d had back then, one that supports women as they grow through periods of uncertainty.

Change doesn’t always happen in dramatic moments, sometimes it’s just a gradual recognition that the version of success you’ve been chasing no longer fits. And that’s okay. You don’t have to burn everything down or have a flawless plan before you move. You just need to pay attention when something starts to feel off and trust yourself enough to respond to it. The truth is, everyone outgrows parts of their life, careers, goals, even identities that once made perfect sense. What matters is whether you keep forcing them to fit, or whether you make space for what’s next.

Lessons from Nicki Bedford, Founder of the Female Founders Network

Nicki Bedford is a serial entrepreneur and executive business leader with a sharp instinct for building ventures that blend innovation, impact, and scale. With a background that includes leading BuzzFeed’s Asia Pacific growth and founding multiple businesses across tech and media, she is the founder of Female Founders Network, Seizen, and Lenzz, all designed to empower bold ideas and future-forward leadership.

For more information, visit foundersofficial.com and follow @femalefounderofficial.