What do you do if your career is stagnant and you want to advance?

In my experience, overcoming career stagnation boils down to two things: knowing your strengths and understanding where you need to improve. Use what you're good at to stand out and take steps to get better in areas where you're not as strong. This straightforward approach helps you grow and opens up new opportunities for advancement.

If you find yourself stuck in a rut, it indicates that you've exhausted your known strategies without making progress. It's a signal to seek assistance from others. Identifying the right person to guide you through this impasse is crucial. Once you've found them, understanding where you're stuck becomes a significant breakthrough. From there, you can strategize and work towards your goals. The key lies in researching and reaching out to peers or friends who have made strides in their endeavors. Discover if they sought professional help, found a mentor within their organization, or networked for insights. Armed with this knowledge, you can chart a course forward that aligns with your aspirations.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill Self-assessment: Reflect on strengths and weaknesses. Seek feedback: Gain insights from mentors or colleagues. Set goals: Define objectives for career advancement. Invest in development: Pursue learning opportunities. Take action: Leverage strengths and address weaknesses actively.

Networking should transcend mere situations; it should become ingrained in our everyday lives. It's about consistently adding value to others' lives or seeking insights from them. Initiate this practice by offering assistance to others first. We've all faced challenges in life and wished for support during those times. If no one extended a helping hand to you, be the one to offer it to someone else. By extending help, you not only assist others but also invite assistance from the universe. I've personally experienced the kindness of those who guided me, and in return, I've made tenfold efforts to aid others.

Networking is critical to career development. Take the opportunity to expand your network. Connect with people with shared interests. Send them a specific message for them to view before they accept your connection request. Find ways to provide value. You can build your network by joining online community groups. Volunteering and networking events are additional resources. It is an opportunity to check in with former colleagues you worked with and rekindle the relationship. Follow up with your connections or colleagues to continue the conversation.

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs Identify desired skills: Determine which skills are necessary for advancement in your desired career path. Research learning opportunities: Explore courses, workshops, or online resources that can help you acquire new skills. Set learning goals: Define specific objectives and timelines for acquiring the skills you need. Take action: Enroll in relevant courses or programs and dedicate time to practice and mastery. Stay adaptable: Continuously assess and update your skill set to remain competitive in your field.

Never stop learning. Advancing your career is about keeping your skills relevant. Take time to assess your career journey. Ask yourself what you want to achieve. Write a list of goals and make an actionable plan. Seek the opportunity to find your passion and find relevant skills. For example, you can take certification courses through LinkedIn, HubSpot, Semrush, and Coursera to learn new skills. Keep in mind some platforms offer free and paid certification courses. As you acquire new skills, it takes practice to become proficient in them.

Celebrate your achievements with your network. LinkedIn is a great example. Certification courses are something you can discuss. Write down key takeaways from what you learned in certification courses. It can help resonate with your audience. Ask for recommendations from colleagues you have worked with. When you receive a recommendation, consider it social proof of your work. LinkedIn is great for showcasing your recommendations and endorsements. A key factor in sharing your success is to include quantifiable results.

"Opportunities don't happen, you create them." - Chris Grosser Assess current situation: Reflect on areas where you feel stagnant or unchallenged in your career. Seek new projects: Volunteer for assignments or initiatives that push you out of your comfort zone and offer opportunities for growth. Network internally: Connect with colleagues or supervisors to express your interest in taking on new challenges or responsibilities. Pursue professional development: Explore training programs or certifications that align with your career goals and offer opportunities for advancement. Embrace change: Be open to stepping into unfamiliar roles or industries to broaden your skill set and expand your career opportunities.

A great way to grow in your career is learning to be uncomfortable. Pushing through discomfort is how you can grow and be successful. Take initiative and seek new opportunities. It might be taking on work you are unfamiliar with or added responsibilities. The key to being successful comes down to your mindset. When you push through the discomfort, you challenge yourself to grow.

As professionals, feedback is important from time to time, and we shouldn't wait until we feel stuck. Through continuous feedback, you can gain clarity on your career path and make necessary adjustments. Interestingly, career paths are flexible and can change based on available opportunities and technological advancements, while still aligning with your long-term goals. Additionally, you can explore other opportunities within your organization that are closely related to your current role and request a redeployment. I've learned that even if you've been with a company for a long time, you shouldn't remain at the same level. Keep growing within the company's structure to avoid feeling stagnant.

If you are experiencing stagnation, take a step to develop some self awareness around this experience by seeking external feedback and internal curiosity. What do people you trust observe when they look at your experience of stagnation? What do you think and feel about stagnation and what is happening for you as you reflect on the feedback of trusted sources? Using this process can help you develop more awareness and insight that can lead to understanding the type of changes you can make to feel less stuck.