What do you do if your career has hit a roadblock?

At the core of feeling as if you're stuck in your career is the fact that some needs are not being met. These are connected to your values. What is missing for you? Is it learning, growth, respect, freedom, adventure, peace, empathy and so on. Let this be your first step to figure out what you can do about this. What resources or changes are required to fulfill these needs? Is it under your control or you need someone's support? Can this be found in your current organisation, role, career, domain or profession? Answering all these questions will provide clarity on what strategy to take. It helps to work with another person you trust, to uncover patterns, call out blindspots, see from another perspective.

Your career is not separate from you. Your career roadblock means there is a mindset + emotion roadblock. You may be feeling lost, indecisive, frustrated, anxious, under confident, etc. Sort the way you think + feel and your career will take care if itself I have helped a lot of my clients accelerate their careers and believe me the problem was never work, it was always their thoughts or feelings.

Everything happens for a reason. If your career isn't moving in the direction you would like, it's time to reevaluate the situation. Something better is out there for you. My daughter put a offer on a house. She said it was the perfect home and called me crying when it fell through. I reminded her that everything happens for a reason. I said, honey it's not the right one for you. After that she came upon a exceptional home that was larger and less money. In otherwards, let the universe guide you.

When you hit a career roadblock, the first step is to assess your situation. It's like hitting pause to see where you are and where you want to go. Here's a quick guide: 1. Reflect on Passions and Skills: What do you love? What are you good at? Make sure your career aligns with these. 2. Evaluate Your Skills: Identify gaps and consider learning new skills to move forward. 3. Review Your Goals: Are your career goals still the same, or have they changed? It's okay to pivot. 4. Seek Feedback: Getting an outside perspective can offer invaluable insights. 5. Check the Market: Look for opportunities that fit your skills and interests. Every roadblock is a chance to pause, think, and steer in the right direction.

If your professional value is compromised in any way that affects your growth, you need to reevaluate your skills, your passions, and those with whom you would like to be working with. It is never too late to start a new career path!

some supervisors may not be the best source of feedback or support if their own agenda is more important than your roadblock; Choose your support with greater care.

In my experience when I hit roadblock, people gave me unsatisfactory and irrelevant inputs which did not align with what I wanted to do. I thought it's best to handle by my own. I knew for a long time the job I did, did not match my interest. I wrote down my interests and researched on it. I kept myself updated on what's new in the market and how can I be useful here. This is how I grew my interest and felt convinced this is the right path for me. I am still learning and growing which means I'm a work in progress. I'm glad I did this. If you're someone like me, I'd recommend first to create a roadmap of your work journey followed by mind map. This should help you see through clearly.

Gaining Valuable Insights: Feedback from colleagues, mentors, or supervisors provides invaluable insights into blind spots, areas for improvement, and alternative perspectives. By seeking feedback, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to make informed decisions about their career paths.Identifying Opportunities for Growth: Constructive feedback often highlights areas where individuals can grow and develop professionally. Whether it's acquiring new skills, expanding networks, or exploring different career paths, feedback can point individuals towards opportunities they may not have considered on their own.

Seeking help is pivotal in life, yet often challenging, especially from those close to us. The same goes for feedback. View everything as constructive criticism, as it’s all part of the learning process.

Seeking feedback and support is crucial when navigating a career roadblock. Coaches encourage individuals to reach out to trusted colleagues, mentors, or coaches for perspective and advice. Feedback from others can offer valuable insights and alternative perspectives on the situation, helping individuals identify blind spots or overlooked opportunities for growth. Additionally, having a support system provides emotional encouragement and practical guidance during challenging times.

Fear normally grips in such times and hence a vision of the next step is blurred especially for individuals who base their worth on their profession.One should consider the following: First,define your worth.Appreciate that your self worth is not pegged to your profession and that you are capable and worthy just as you are-where you are.This helps in managing tension and giving you the ability to think clearly and from a more objective perspective.Then,analyze the possible causes of the challenge.Is it as a result of external factors beyond your control or is it an internal factor within your control? Once you establish the cause,you will be in a better position to explore your options to address the issue with clarity and objectivity.

Broadening Perspectives: When faced with a career roadblock, it's easy to feel trapped or limited in options. However, exploring alternatives opens up a world of possibilities, broadening perspectives and challenging conventional thinking. By considering various paths, individuals gain clarity about their goals and aspirations, paving the way for informed decision-making.Identifying Viable Solutions: Every career roadblock presents an opportunity for growth and transformation. By exploring options, individuals can identify viable solutions tailored to their unique circumstances. Whether it's acquiring new skills, pursuing further education, or transitioning to a different role or industry.

This is what one can consider- 1. Brainstorming possibilities without limitations- list career paths, industries, or skill development opportunities. 2. Conduct thorough research to understand the requirements, potential outcomes, and market demand. 3. Assess options based on personal preferences, strengths, and long-term goals. Consider alignment with values, potential for growth, and work-life balance. 4. Experiment with different options - small-scale projects, internships, or volunteer work to gain insights. 5. Consult to seek advice and feedback from mentors, colleagues, or industry experts and validate chosen options. 6. Make informed decisions based on thorough analysis, intuition, and alignment with aspirations.

A 3 step approach will be helpful. 1.Put down options that align with your passions and core skills and competencies. 2.Weigh if the options fit within your growth and career path and plan. 3. Intensify the search for strategic fit opportunities by putting yourself out in the market place. Even if it means volunteering your skills. It is fulfilling to seize an opportunity that makes you feel accomplished and purposeful.

I encourages my client to explore alternative career paths, industries, or opportunities that align with their interests, values, and strengths, providing new perspectives and options for moving forward.

Taking decisive action is key to overcoming a career roadblock. Coaches help individuals develop action plans with clear goals, timelines, and milestones. Breaking down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks makes the process less daunting and increases the likelihood of success. Coaches provide accountability and encouragement to ensure individuals follow through with their action plans and remain focused on their objectives.

Facing a career roadblock demands action. Whether guided by faith, believing ‘faith without works is dead,’ or driven by a belief in a higher power, the responsibility for shaping our future is ours alone. Inaction is not an option.

Together,I and my client develop actionable steps and strategies to overcome the roadblock. This may involve setting short-term and long-term goals, breaking them down into manageable tasks, and creating a timeline for implementation.

Here's how I facilitate this: 1. Reflective Practice: to gain insights into strengths, weaknesses, and areas for development. 2. Skill Enhancement: to enhance professional skills and competencies. 3. Feedback Integration: to refine approach, address weaknesses, and capitalize on strengths. 4. SMART Goal Setting: serves as milestones for tracking progress and driving continuous improvement. 5. Adaptive Thinking: to approach challenges with curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to experiment. 6. Networking and Collaboration: to exchange ideas, share experiences, and access new opportunities. 7. Celebrating Progress: along the journey of overcoming career roadblocks boosts morale & reinforces positive behaviors.

I firmly believe in the power of living and learning. Surviving challenges, from heartbreak to career obstacles, paves the way for overcoming them. Failure isn’t just a part of success; it’s a crucial stepping stone towards it.

If the roadblock is related to a lack of skills or knowledge,I assist my client in identifying areas for development and creating a plan to acquire new skills or enhance existing ones through training, education, or practical experience.

As you keep moving, take the time to move your focus from your career to the skills that you have established to create your career. Isolate important skills that need to be developed further and get going on that immediately. In addition, choose 1-3 contrasting skills that you have an interest in and can become indirectly supportive to your current career and possibly lead to another career should you choose to pursue that. This strategy will bring about variety, confidence, growth and greater contribution to your professional life, wherever you are.

Facing a career roadblock? Use this 4-step framework to navigate through: 1. Identify the Block: Is it skill-related, motivational, or external? Pinpointing the exact nature helps in finding a direct solution. 2.Values Alignment: Ensure your career aligns with your core values. Misalignment can often feel like a roadblock. 3.Superpowers: Lean into your unique skills or 'superpowers.' What do you excel at effortlessly? These can guide your next steps. 4.Passion & Purpose: Reconnect with what drives you. Your passion and purpose can illuminate the path forward, turning roadblocks into stepping stones. This approach offers clarity and direction, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. Enjoy!

When facing a career roadblock, it’s crucial to pause and reflect. Reevaluate your strategies, seek feedback, and embrace continuous learning to improve your skills. Networking and mentorship can offer new insights and opportunities. Remember, adaptability and resilience are your allies in overcoming professional challenges.

External circumstances can be a reflection of you - your thoughts, feelings, emotions, beliefs. This is compounded by your self-talk, the story you tell yourself about what’s happening/happened. Think of it as someone/something poking an old wound. Recognise, acknowledge, release any emotions that arise. They are coming up to leave. A wave of emotion takes 90 seconds or less to pass. If you’re angry, do a 2 year old tantrum: kicking & screaming. Fear: shake your whole body. Sad: cry. But do it all without story as story will repeat the cycle. Recognise the pattern, and heal the root cause. Addressing your own issues can change what is happening around you. Is the universe trying to steer you in a different direction? A