You’re feeling stuck in your career. How can you get unstuck?

1 Assess your situation

The first step to getting unstuck is to understand why you are feeling that way. Take some time to reflect on your current situation and identify the factors that are causing you to feel stuck. For example, you may be facing challenges such as lack of feedback, support, recognition, autonomy, or opportunities. You may also be experiencing burnout, boredom, stress, or conflict. You may have outgrown your role, or your interests, values, or goals may have changed. Be honest and specific about what is bothering you and how it affects your performance, well-being, and career development.

2 Explore your options

The next step is to explore the possible ways to address the factors that are making you feel stuck. You may have more options than you think, depending on your situation. For example, you may be able to seek feedback, support, recognition, autonomy, or opportunities from your supervisor, colleagues, mentors, or networks. You may also be able to find ways to cope with burnout, boredom, stress, or conflict by taking breaks, setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, or resolving issues. You may have the option to change your role, field, or organization, or to pursue further education, training, or certification. You may also be able to rediscover your interests, values, or goals by exploring new topics, projects, or collaborations.

3 Take action

The final step is to take action to implement the option or options that you have chosen. This may require some planning, preparation, communication, or negotiation. For example, you may need to set SMART goals, create a timeline, gather resources, or seek advice. You may also need to talk to your supervisor, colleagues, mentors, or networks about your plans, expectations, or needs. You may have to face some risks, challenges, or trade-offs. However, taking action is the only way to get unstuck and move forward in your career.

4 Monitor and evaluate

Getting unstuck is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. You need to monitor and evaluate the results of your actions and adjust them as needed. You may encounter some setbacks, surprises, or failures along the way. You may also discover some new opportunities, insights, or successes. You need to learn from your experiences and celebrate your achievements. You also need to keep track of your progress and satisfaction and check if you are still feeling stuck or not.

6 Develop resilience and adaptability

Getting unstuck is also an opportunity to develop resilience and adaptability, two essential skills for research managers and researchers. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficulties, failures, or changes. Adaptability is the ability to adjust to new situations, demands, or opportunities. You can develop these skills by embracing challenges, learning from feedback, seeking growth, and maintaining a positive mindset. These skills will help you cope with uncertainty, complexity, and diversity in your career and beyond.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?