You’re feeling stuck in your career. How can you take the first step to break out of your rut?

If you have stopped enjoying what you are doing at work on a regular basis (not just once in a while as all have ups and downs) and don't feel motivated enough to contribute or excited to learn and do more. Then it's time to introspect if you are in the right place or in a career which excites you. It's okay to restart sometimes and even take a cut in salary or career level to get into a job that you love doing. Compromise in the short term from a long-term perspective. If this is not possible, then identify areas that can motivate you in the same job.

??To break out of a rut, delve into both external and internal factors. ??Externally, assess the availability of opportunities, feedback, and support within your organization. ??Internally, scrutinize the alignment of your values, skills, and goals with your current work. ?? Reflect on what aspects of your work you enjoy most and where challenges lie. ??Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, and consider your short-term and long-term career aspirations. ?? Assess the congruence between your personal values and the values embedded in your work. ?? Critically evaluate your satisfaction with the culture, leadership, and direction of your organization, pinpoint areas for improvement and chart a path towards breaking out of your rut

Start with understanding what you are looking for. What are we expecting from our career and is it reasonable? For example, you are great at what you do but aren't feeling challenged. Is there another way to challenge yourself? Such as attain a certification outside of your area of expertise. Or go far out of your comfort zone, start a blog or podcast, publish an article, etc. Or the issue may be that we are missing balance, giving more to our career than other areas such as wellness and personal time. After giving so much, we may have high expectations on what we should be getting back. After reflecting, if you feel that it is a true career rut, consider partnering with a career coach for that objective insight and guidance.

Start by having an honest conversation with yourself. If you can't, consider having a conversation with a coach so that he could ask you the right questions and trigger your thoughts on what makes you stuck. Or speak to a mentor who could share his experience with you

??Once the cause is identified you should evaluate ways to overcome it. By embracing a systematic approach, you'll gain clarity and confidence in navigating your career path. ??Stay open-minded and flexible as you explore various opportunities. With determination and perseverance, you can overcome obstacles and achieve success. ??Utilize insights from research, mentorship, networking, assessments, and goal-setting to propel your career forward. ??Embrace the journey, stay resilient, and continuously strive for growth and fulfillment in your professional endeavors ??Remember that every step you take contributes to your overall progress, .Stay focused on your goals, adapt to changes, and celebrate your achievements .

This is not an exercise that individuals should do entirely on their own. Once they have discovered the root cause of their problem(s), I recommend performing extensive research to determine what’s next and based on that create a plan to network with that right people in the right spaces. It is also very important to talk with or seek advice from mentors or coaches who they believe have their best interest at heart.

Exploring your options from a strengths-based perspective can be a transformative step. Start by assessing your unique strengths and talents and consider how they can be applied in different roles or industries. Reflect on what work activities energize you and align with your abilities. This might involve considering lateral moves within your current organization that better suit your skills, looking into new industries where your strengths are in demand, or even pursuing further education or training to leverage your innate talents. Remember, your career path doesn't have to be linear. Sometimes, the best growth opportunities come from unexpected directions.

Taking the time to audit and identify the root cause of your rut is important so that you can figure out your solution and strategise a plan to get out of the rut. Seeking advice and discussing with others is always a good start but we can all be guilty of focusing on the negatives so want to avoid getting caught up in gossiping. Rather focus on ways of improving the situation and start taking little actions daily to make the changes you seek.

Research potential career paths: Look into fields that align with your interests and skills. Attend career fairs, network with professionals, or research online resources. Talk to people in different fields: Informational interviews with professionals in various fields can provide valuable insights into specific job roles and industries. Take online courses or workshops: Enhance your skillset in areas relevant to your desired career path or explore entirely new skill areas to spark new interests. Take on new projects at work: Volunteer for challenging tasks or projects outside your usual duties to broaden your skillset and gain exposure to new areas within your current company.

When feeling stuck, it's pivotal to explore options and then take action by setting realistic and achievable career development goals. ??These goals serve as guiding stars, helping to concentrate efforts, track progress, and celebrate milestones. ??Utilizing the SMART framework—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—ensures that goals are not just wishes but concrete plans. ??This approach aligns aspirations with actions, ensuring that each goal is meaningful and has a designated timeline for accomplishment. ?? By integrating the SMART principles into goal-setting, individuals can cultivate a sense of purpose, break out of their rut, and advance their careers with confidence and clarity.

If SMART goal-setting is tough, try WOOP! Spend 15 mins in a quiet place & imagine Wish (goal), Outcome (emotional moment of success), Obstacles (what can stop you), & Plan (if/then to overcome obstacles). Write everything down. Works for daily, weekly, monthly, or long-term goals.

Feeling trapped in your career can be overwhelming, but taking that initial step is vital. Begin by reflecting: why do you feel stuck? Is it related to your job, your team, the organisation or the industry? Determine if you can overcome the stagnation in your current position, or if you should consider changing roles, teams, organisations, or industries. Once you have these answers, establish clear and attainable goals to reignite your drive – such as networking, interviewing, or enhancing your skills. Remember, even small actions can lead to significant transformations. Embrace a proactive mindset and seize control of your career journey!

Reflecting on your values and passions is crucial for career fulfillment. Focus on leveraging your strengths and doing more of what you excel at. Deeply consider what is genuinely important to you, recognizing that understanding your core values and desires can catalyze transformative shifts in perception. Evaluate how your passions align with your current career path, guiding you towards a more satisfying professional journey.

Algumas perguntas que fa?o para um Cliente de Coaching que está seriamente pensando em fazer a transi??o de carreira s?o: 1. O que você ganha se Mudar de carreira agora (motivador pelo prazer) 2. O que você perde se Mudar de carreira agora (sabotador pela dor)? 3. O que você perde se n?o Mudar de carreira agora (motivador pela dor) 4. O que você ganha se n?o Mudar de carreira agora (sabotador pelo prazer) Essa matriz de Perguntas dá ao Cliente de Coaching ou pessoa que está pensando em mudar de carreira a oportunidade de tomar a sua decis?o com base em 4 perspectivas diferentes, aumentando a possibilidade de tomada de decis?o mais acertada.

Review your resume and LinkedIn profile: Refreshing these documents can be a great way to rediscover your skills and accomplishments. Take a small, concrete steps: Don't overwhelm yourself with drastic changes right away. Start small and achievable. Attending an industry event or webinar: Learning about current trends and developments in your field or a new one can spark your interest and ignite new directions. Signing up for an online course or workshop: Investing in yourself by acquiring new skills can open doors to exciting possibilities. Network and explore options - Reach out to your professional network: Inform your contacts you're exploring new opportunities. Let them know your interests and skills.

Start by getting to know yourself ( personality, values, experience, qualifications, work style preferences etc) Then get to discover what you really want to do and how to get there. Let a coach/mentor help you through it all.

In the previous section, I mentioned the WOOP technique, which is perfect for taking action. This technique will help you act actively and overcome obstacles along the way with the prepared action plan.

A lot of smart people have added excellent suggestions. Getting stuck is universal but getting unstuck will be unique to you. Hit the pause button before you act. Maybe your first action is a day alone in nature (or an art museum). Remember what it feels like to be inspired and at ease. Have you had a job where you felt at ease? Why? What were the qualities of that job that suited you so well? Is today's job about learning or earning? Sometimes one does come at the expense of the other. Which one makes you feel proudest? Journal and talk to a trusted person. Don't go it alone. Trust me, you're not the only person feeling stuck.

This is a step where a coach can make a difference and help someone gain momentum, take charge and feel accountability for their actions without becoming overwhelmed, or lost in thoughts.

Cannot emphasize how important taking feedback is, it not only helps with getting a new perspective but also helps in seeing where you might be lacking. There's always a POV which we are unable to look at, I have always experienced that whenever I have consulted a peer or manager, it has been delightfully eye opening, but you also have to be open to constructive criticism.

To break out of a career rut, start by self-reflecting on your strengths, passions, and areas of improvement. Set clear, realistic goals that align with your aspirations. Seek mentorship or career counseling for guidance. Upskill through courses or workshops to stay relevant in your field. Network actively, attend industry events, and explore new opportunities. Embrace challenges as learning experiences, and don't fear change. Taking the initiative to break out of your comfort zone, coupled with strategic planning and a positive mindset, can pave the way for career growth and fulfillment.

Continuous learning is key in breaking out of a career rut. Embrace a growth mindset and seek knowledge in various forms. This could be through professional courses, workshops, or even self-study. Stay updated with industry trends and skills in demand. Learning isn’t confined to formal education; it also happens through new experiences, challenges, and feedback. Actively seek out mentors and peers who inspire and push you to grow. Remember, the more you learn, the better equipped you are to make informed decisions and seize new opportunities in your career.

I share a simple success formula during career talks and with my team during coaching/mentoring sessions: ABC of success= Ability, Break, Chance. Ability: Develop the skills and performance to attract decision-makers. Break: Showcase your capabilities through volunteering or taking on additional projects. Chance: Be ready when the right opportunity arises. Remember, having the ability and taking initiative are crucial, but career advancement also requires the right opportunity at the right time.

Quanto encontro um mentorado sentindo-se preso em sua carreira, eu recorro ao conceito do BATNA (Melhor Alternativa para um Acordo Negociado, que é a melhor op??o disponível caso a atual falhe), oriundo da estratégia de negocia??o. A for?a da sua posi??o atual é diretamente proporcional à qualidade da sua segunda melhor op??o. Isso significa que, quanto mais viáveis e atraentes forem suas alternativas, mais liberdade você terá para ser corajoso e ousado nas suas escolhas atuais. Assim como em uma estratégia de dual sourcing em suprimentos, que permite a migra??o para um fornecedor secundário sem prejuízos em caso de problemas com o principal, na sua carreira, desenvolver planos B e C t?o robustos quanto o plano A é crucial.

Feeling stuck in a career happens too frequently. A good option is work with a coach to find out what it will take for you to be unstuck and what will be the right path of action for you in your unique situation.

As a coach, I understand how challenging it can be to feel stuck in your career. To start moving forward, first reflect on what’s causing your dissatisfaction and set clear, actionable goals for where you want to go. Identify any skills you need to develop and work on acquiring them. Network with professionals in your field and consider finding a mentor for guidance. Create a detailed action plan and begin taking steps towards your goals. Remember to stay positive and resilient throughout the process—you're capable of making significant changes!

If you're feeling stuck in your career, start by reflecting on what’s not working for you and what you truly want. Set some clear goals and figure out what skills you need to reach them. Talk to people you trust for feedback, and work on expanding your network. Break your goals into manageable steps and keep track of your progress. Embrace the discomfort of change, it’s often a sign that growth is happening. Celebrate your achievements along the way and consider reaching out to a career coach for extra support.