By Brian Mitchell, Managing Partner & CEO
Even the most successful operators and senior professionals feel like they’re in a career rut now and again. It’s important to remember that career paths are rarely linear, and it’s natural to encounter periods of stagnation, uncertainty, or simply boredom. Here are some suggestions to help you get unstuck in your career:
1) Reflect on your goals: Take some time to reflect on your long-term career goals and aspirations. Consider what motivates you – are your objectives the same? Do you enjoy what you’re doing, and what you envision for your professional future? This reflection can provide clarity and help you identify the areas where you feel stuck. And if you don’t have specific measurable timetabled goals, then you’ll never know where you’re going anyway. Define what you want to achieve.
2) Assess your position of marketability: Evaluating your own skills/strengths requires objectivity and self-awareness so consider yours carefully. Identify any gaps or areas for improvement that might be hindering your progress. Upskilling or acquiring new knowledge may be necessary to overcome career barriers and unlock new opportunities. We all need to put ourselves out there in order to keep growing.
3) Seek mentorship or a mastermind advisory: Find a mentor who can provide guidance, candor, and support, and who has no incentives other than to be an advocate for you. The right mentor can offer valuable insights, help you set goals, and provide strategies for overcoming obstacles. Their experience and perspective can be instrumental in helping you navigate your career path. Or better yet, form a “mastermind” group of professionals (not buddies) who meet once a month or so to provide ideas, structure, critical thinking and constructive feedback. A group that challenges one another, holds each other accountable, and provides support can be incredibly impactful. Be wary of so-called career coaches, whereas some of these people are excellent mentors there are many others with little to no qualifications at all. You’d want to talk to only a proven pilot for flying lessons, right? Only work with successful people who’ve done what you want to do or more. Eagles only soar with other eagles.
4) Network and build connections: Although the concept seems trite, networking is crucial for career growth. You want to know who the players and influencers are in your space and even more importantly, you want them to know you. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and connect with colleagues and professionals in your field at senior levels. Don’t tell yourself “I’m not a salesman” because you are your own company – You.com – and you need to put yourself in a position to get immersed with people you don’t already know. Building relationships and expanding your network can lead to new opportunities, career advice, and potential job openings, however the same eagles soar with eagles concept applies so don’t waste time connecting with people who are not senior, successful, and influential.
5) Explore new opportunities: Sometimes, feeling stuck is a sign that it’s time to explore new avenues, but oftentimes it’s the lack of intellectual stimulus that makes us feel this way. We are not learning, we are not challenged. Are there expanded responsibilities you could initiate within your current company? People don’t always need to research different industries, job roles, or even consider a career change, while there might be projects and initiatives within your own organization that could fill the void. Don’t just be open to exploring opportunities that align with your interests and offer growth potential – seek these opportunities out or create them. Your CEO would love initiative over and above your current responsibilities…and that could also lead to bigger things.
6) Set short-term goals: Break down your long-term goals into smaller, achievable milestones. By setting short-term goals, you can create a sense of progress and accomplishment, which can help combat the idle feelings. Celebrate your achievements along the way, no matter how small they may seem because it’s typically the series of small accomplishments that lead to the major career achievements anyway. Find religion around goal orientation and your intrinsic motivations will rise to the surface, which will feel great and lead to true growth.
7) Take calculated risks: Consider taking calculated risks to push yourself out of your comfort zone. This might involve volunteering for new projects, seeking additional responsibilities, or pursuing challenging assignments. Embracing new challenges can lead to personal and professional growth. You can also build a “side hustle”, feed your entrepreneurial ideas, build something, and challenge yourself. You don’t need to completely quit your core vocation, but you can find new motivations and outcomes in taking calculated risks.
8) Invest in continuous learning: Keep learning and growing in your field. Attend workshops, take online courses, or pursue certifications to stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies. Continuous learning demonstrates your commitment to professional development and can open doors to new opportunities. Most importantly, what are you reading? Romance novels might be entertaining, but you’re not feeding your brain. Digest self-improvement books, books on strategy, books on relevant history to your professional passions. When you read content, you gain knowledge, you say smarter things because you think smarter thoughts. Reading literally makes you smarter and therefore you’ll be more impressive.
9) Revisit your resume and online presence: Update your resume and ensure your online presence (such as LinkedIn) accurately reflects your skills and experiences. A lof of people don’t think to invest in their professional presence, but it’s inexpensive and critical to ensure the image we want to exude is fully projected. Highlight your accomplishments and focus on showcasing the value you bring to potential employers or clients – measurable impact. Metrics tell and sell your story much better than a million watery words so be concise and present yourself with bulleted metrics and measurable outcomes vs. an entire thesis. Some people will create a YouTube page or a blog or other content creation which demonstrates their knowledge.
10) Practice self-care: Career dissatisfaction can often be linked to personal well-being. Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Engage in activities that bring you joy, manage stress effectively, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Eat nutritious food, drink lots of water, and exercise. Feeling good attracts. A refreshed and positive mindset can fuel your career progress.
Remember, getting unstuck in your career requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace change. It’s important to trust the process and believe in your abilities. Utilize the resources available to you, and don’t hesitate to seek support from others.