Finding Your Spark

Finding Your Spark: How Women Can Rekindle Passion in Leadership and Life 

There’s a moment in nearly every woman’s career or life journey when she pauses and thinks, “Where did my spark go?” 
 

You’re showing up. You’re leading. You’re checking the boxes. But something feels… off. The drive that once energized you now feels dulled…the spark is a bit dimmed, and that doesn’t feel good.   
 

Well, here’s what I know to be true: You’re not alone. And you’re definitely not stuck. According to a recent study by McKinsey & LeanIn.Org, 43% of women leaders report feeling burned out, compared to 31% of men. But burnout isn’t a dead end, it’s a signal. A prompt. A chance to reset. 
 

Your spark isn’t gone. It’s just waiting to be reignited. 

1. Recognize What’s Really Going On 

• When your energy dips, your motivation wanes, or your confidence starts to flicker, it’s tempting to assume you’ve done something wrong. You haven’t. 

• Psychologists point to emotional labor, role overload, and lack of purpose alignment as major drivers of fatigue among women in leadership (Harvard Business Review, 2022). Recognizing this is the first step to reclaiming your power. 

• So your exhaustion isn’t a flaw. It’s feedback. 

2. Reconnect With What Energizes You 

One of the most powerful ways to reignite your spark is to return to your core values and intrinsic motivations. We know that when we pursue goals connected to our own sense of meaning (rather than external validation), we experience significantly higher levels of sustained energy and well-being. 

Ask yourself: 

• What brought me joy early in my career or life? 

• What am I naturally drawn to, even now? 

• When do I feel like the best version of me? 

Your answers may surprise you—and point the way forward. 

3. Redefine Success on Your Own Terms 

Studies show that women often prioritize purpose and impact over traditional markers of success like title or income. But it’s easy to forget this when you’re climbing a ladder that wasn’t built for you. 

Take a moment to ask: 

• What does success look like now, to ME, in this season? 

• What do I want more of and what do I want less of? 

• What are my values? What matters most to me? 

When your vision of success aligns with your values, your motivation naturally reignites. 

4. Surround Yourself With Growth-Oriented Women 

Community is fuel. Women who participate in intentional, supportive peer circles report higher confidence, stronger clarity, and lower stress (KPMG Women’s Leadership Study, 2020). 

Find the women who challenge you, uplift you, and aren’t afraid to talk about ambition, burnout, motherhood, reinvention—all of it. 

The right room can remind you of who you are. 

5. Take One Manageable Step 

You don’t need to blow up your life to feel alive again. Start with one step forward. 

Try this: 

• Reclaim 30 minutes a day for something that fuels you—reading, walking, writing, dreaming. 

• Say yes to one opportunity that excites you (even if it scares you). 

• Say no to something that’s been draining your energy (without guilt). 

Behavioral science backs this: small, consistent changes lead to lasting transformation. 

6. Honor the Season You’re In 

You’re evolving. What sparked you five years ago may not serve you today. That’s not only okay, it is powerful. 

The spark you’re looking for isn’t in the past. It’s in the version of you that’s ready to emerge next. Give her space. Give her permission. 

Don’t worry, the Spark Is Still There 

You haven’t lost it—it’s just buried under layers of life, responsibility, expectation, and hustle. But it’s waiting. Waiting for you… 

To pause. 
To listen. 
To choose something different. 

Because when you do, everything starts to shift. And you begin to feel that familiar fire: the one that says you’re meant for more, and you’re ready to claim it.  You’ll soon be moving forward with clarity, intention, and maybe even a little rebellion. 

One thing I’m absolutely sure of. You deserve a life, and a career, that feels alive. 

And your spark? She’s been waiting for you. 

Want help finding your spark again? SHATTR is a space built just for this. For women who are ready to lead differently, and feel alive while doing it.