You’re feeling stuck in your career. How can you identify the right path forward?

Something that has worked for me is to ask myself, who is in my network that I look up to? Who holds a position that I think is the next logical step or even my dream job. Then I look at their profile and see how they got there. What have they done that you haven’t yet. If it’s a course, try and find a free online version that is comparable. Better yet, this is the perfect opportunity to use your organization’s professional development budget.

Feeling stuck? Here's a helping hand: 1. Reflect: Think about your strengths, skills, passions, and goals. 2. Assess: How happy are you with your work environment and relationships? 3. Write it down: Jot down your thoughts and feelings to gain clarity. 4. Seek feedback: Ask trusted colleagues or mentors for their honest perspective. Remember, this is your journey, and it's okay to take your time. Be kind to yourself as you explore your options!

Make a list of the tasks that you currently do (your own resource review essentially) and categorise which onces you don't ever want to do again, which ones you are neutral about and which ones you LOVE doing. This will highlight a group of tasks that are similar or in a common category. Then you will have a clearer understanding of where you are heading. When I did this recently with a client it was a huge relief for her and she was able to move forward.

While accessing the situation, I find it is helpful to do a bit of visioning. Where do you want to go? What inspires you the most? Where have you been the most happy? what were the key factors? Was it learning, strong leadership, good pay, life balance, team vibe - look back to where you have excelled and been content - then turn that into a vision of where you want to go

If you are feeling stuck in your career, to me it usually means you have lost sight of what you really want and are trapped in knowing all the things that suck about your current situation and on what you don’t want. It’s really easy to get stuck in focusing on what sucks or isn’t working because it happens slowly and over time. It’s like the lobster in the boiling water in a pot. If you are feeling stuck, write a list of all the things you want to have and experience. You may want to start out general so that you can get used to focusing on what you want! When it feels easier to write more of what you want, get more specific. Things like I want to contribute more, work with people who care, feel valued and appreciated.

Feeling stuck in your career sucks! And well done admitting it to yourself. Now it's time to explore your options and before you take to google (or any other digital advice) I'd invite you to write down everything that comes to your mind on a piece of paper. Then let it sit for a day or two before going back to it and putting more ideas down. Don't judge yourself: write everything down that you'd like to explore. The next step is to code your options: I use different colours/symbols and 4 categories: what I love, what makes sense, what's fun, and what brings joy to more than myself. Once you've got down to 4**** options it's time to go online and see how you can get there.

Here's how ChatGPT can facilitate this exploration: 1. Industry Insights: Ask ChatGPT for insights into different industries that align with your skills and interests. It can provide overviews, growth trends, and emerging roles, helping you understand where your skills could be in demand. 2. Role Exploration: For roles you're curious about, ChatGPT can detail job responsibilities, required skills, and typical career paths. This can help you visualize yourself in different positions. 3. Networking Strategies: Leverage ChatGPT to craft personalized outreach messages for informational interviews. Connecting with professionals in your areas of interest can provide insider perspectives and advice.

Exploring your options involves researching and considering alternative paths or opportunities within your current field or related industries. This may include identifying potential career advancements, lateral moves, or even transitions to entirely new roles or industries that align better with your interests and aspirations. Networking, informational interviews, and attending industry events can help broaden your perspective and uncover potential opportunities you may not have previously considered.

Take feeling stuck as a sign to make some changes! This is the perfect moment to explore your many possible selves. Here are some ideas: 1. Love journaling? Do a brainstorm of activities that you enjoy performing or those that make you lose track of time. Then explore the patterns. In what kind of role could you do more of it? 2. Prefer talking about it? Invite a trusted colleague, a mentor or a sponsor for a coffee and share your ideas and concerns. Discuss with them what would be some potential ways to explore your interests and passions. 3. Need a more structured approach? Try working with a career coach and set specific goals and action plans to keep you accountable and motivated through the exploration process.

Consider a Venn diagram with three circles: Skills, Passions, Opportunities. You want to look for an option that sits at the intersection of these three. 1. Skills - These are your qualifications. The things you know how to do, even if they weren't the topline skills in your previous job. Comprehensively account for all your skills. 2. Passions - This is what you love. The mission/purpose that drives you, the types of projects that thrill you, the company culture you desire, etc. 3. Opportunities - This step involves identifying where openings exist in the economy. Are companies looking for someone with your skills and passions? Is there an opportunity to create something new? Find the intersection and you'll find where you should be

If you've got too many options (I'm putting my hand up here), there are some great tools to find out what is truly at the top. I love prioritization grids (like the one introduced in the book What Colour is Your Parachute); and to test out that what's on top should really be on top: use the Reason Tree. Of your top answer ask yourself "why is that important to me?" - answer yourself and then ask the same question of the answer. For example, answer 1 is "because I want to contribute to something meaningful". Question 2 becomes "why is it important to me to do something meaningful?" Continue the Question & Answer for at least 7 (!) times. This will give you all the underlying reasons and might even make you tweak your top option.

Evaluating your options requires a systematic analysis of the potential risks, benefits, and alignment with your career goals and personal values. Assess each option based on factors such as growth potential, job satisfaction, work-life balance, financial implications, and alignment with your long-term aspirations. Consider creating a pros and cons list or using decision-making frameworks such as SWOT analysis to objectively evaluate each option and prioritize those that best align with your priorities and objectives.

Here's how ChatGPT can assist: 1. Self-Reflection: Use ChatGPT to articulate your skills, interests, and values. Ask it to generate questions that help you reflect on what you truly enjoy and where you see yourself in the future. 2. Research & Exploration: Request ChatGPT to provide information on various career paths, industry trends, and roles that align with your interests. This can broaden your perspective and uncover options you might not have considered. 3. Decision-Making Strategy: Engage with ChatGPT to create a decision matrix that evaluates your options based on factors important to you, such as growth potential, work-life balance, and financial stability.

Planning actions is essential for progress. Develop a realistic plan with SMART goals, action steps, and milestones. Utilize resources effectively and track progress using calendars and planners. Regularly review and adjust the plan as needed for success. Consistent execution of the plan ensures alignment with your objectives and maximizes chances of achievement.

Planning your actions involves developing a strategic roadmap for achieving your career goals and transitioning towards the identified path forward. Break down your goals into manageable steps and establish clear timelines and milestones to track your progress. Create an action plan outlining the specific actions, resources, and support needed to successfully pursue your chosen path. Regularly review and adjust your plan as needed based on evolving circumstances and feedback.

ChatGPT can be a valuable tool in the following ways: 1. Goal Setting: Begin by defining clear, measurable career goals. Ask ChatGPT to help you draft SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. 2. Skill Development: Identify skills that are in demand in your desired career path. Use ChatGPT to find resources for online courses, workshops, and books. It can also assist in creating a learning schedule, ensuring consistent progress towards mastering new skills. 3. Networking Strategy: Networking is crucial for career growth. ChatGPT can assist in crafting personalized outreach messages for LinkedIn, suggesting networking event types worth attending.

The biggest waste of time, and I speak from personal experience, is trying to figure out something you don’t know the answer to by yourself. It took me 7 years before I sort expert guidance. Imagine where you could be if you focused not on “what should I be doing?” but “who can help me figure this out quicker?”

Seeking support can be scary, especially mid-career or beyond. We as humans have egos, we don't like to have to ask for help. However, that is a massive error to make. Help can come from all over - stay connected to former colleagues, ask someone to review your CV or cover letter on an application and yes get a career coach - they have insight and can make you feel good about where you are. Recently I had a wonderful experience working with a colleague to help her prepare for an interview. We did a test run of her presentation and ran through some questions. She did the same with two others so received grounded and diverse feedback. It gave her confidence as she walked into the interview, this is a tactic I will borrow from her.

Career coaching is invaluable when you are not sure what path to take next in your career. It allows you to re-evaluate, reflect and decide your next steps and goals.

Seeking support is crucial for career advancement. Engage mentors, coaches, and peers for guidance and feedback. Professional associations and online communities offer valuable resources and networking opportunities. Utilize social media and communication tools to maintain connections. Appreciate and reciprocate support received, fostering mutually beneficial relationships. Leveraging the wisdom and assistance of others accelerates growth and success on your career journey.

Para sair de um momento de estagna??o na carreira, buscar apoio de um mentor especializado pode ser altamente benéfico. Um mentor de carreira pode oferecer uma perspectiva externa e imparcial, ajudando a identificar pontos cegos e oportunidades de crescimento. Eles podem fornecer orienta??o personalizada, compartilhar experiências relevantes e oferecer conselhos práticos sobre como superar desafios e alcan?ar objetivos. Além disso, um mentor pode ser um excelente recurso para expandir sua rede profissional, conectar com oportunidades e aumentar a confian?a durante esse processo de transi??o.

Consider these steps: 1. Reflect on Achievements and Skills: Evaluate your current role and past positions to identify what you've enjoyed most and where you've excelled. ChatGPT can help by analyzing your resume and job descriptions to highlight skills and achievements you might have overlooked. 2. Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like for you in the short and long term. ChatGPT can assist in goal-setting by providing examples of career objectives in your field and suggesting steps to achieve them. 3. Seek Feedback and Opportunities: Use ChatGPT to draft messages for networking, asking for feedback, or exploring new opportunities on LinkedIn.

Feeling stuck in your career is a normal feeling for many mid-career professionals. And when that happens to them, this is where I invite them to build a "Mid-Career GPS" to whatever is next for them and their careers. As they build each of the four components of their "Mid-Career GPS," they will evaluate what is working and what isn't. Taking time to review your progress is vital to knowing what YOU need to do to elevate your career. What works for someone else may not work for you. This is why it's important for you to focus solely on your progress and evaluate it as needed.

Reviewing your progress is essential for tracking your growth, celebrating achievements, and making necessary adjustments along the way. Regularly assess your progress towards your career goals, reflect on lessons learned from both successes and setbacks, and identify areas for further development or refinement. Solicit feedback from trusted mentors or colleagues to gain additional insights and perspectives on your progress and areas for improvement.

Uma alternativa interessante para quem está se sentindo preso na carreira mas n?o sabe exatamente o que quer, é explorar projetos diferentes, exemplo: - Reserve um tempo para explorar projetos paralelos ou empreendimentos relacionados às suas paix?es ou interesses fora do trabalho. - Isso pode envolver iniciar um blog, canal no YouTube, podcast, ou criar produtos/servi?os independentes. - Além de proporcionar uma saída criativa, esses projetos paralelos podem abrir portas para novas oportunidades profissionais ou mesmo transformar-se em uma carreira por conta própria. Estar em movimento, buscar algo que te fa?a se sentir útil pode ser um caminho muito frutífero.

There are few practical ways: 1. Reflect on your skills, passions, and values. 2. Identify areas where you feel fulfilled and energized. 3. Seek feedback from mentors or colleagues. 4. Set specific career goals and break them into manageable steps. 5. Explore new opportunities, take on projects that align with your interests, and continuously update your skills. 6. Networking and informational interviews can provide insights. 7. Stay adaptable, be open to change, and consider seeking guidance from career counselors or coaches. 8. Regularly reassess and adjust your path based on evolving aspirations and industry trends.

When feeling stuck in your career, it's essential to begin by conducting a thorough self-assessment. Reflect on your strengths, interests, values, and career goals to gain clarity on what truly matters to you. Next, explore potential career paths that align with these factors through research, networking, and informational interviews. Identify any obstacles holding you back and develop a plan to address them, whether through upskilling, seeking mentorship, or exploring new opportunities. By taking a proactive and strategic approach to career planning, you can identify the right path forward and take meaningful steps towards achieving your professional aspirations.

Beyond the aforementioned steps, consider factors such as market trends, industry developments, and emerging opportunities that may impact your career trajectory. Stay informed about changes in your field and continuously seek opportunities for learning, growth, and professional development. Additionally, prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance to sustain your energy, motivation, and resilience as you pursue your career aspirations.