10 Ways to Build Momentum in Your Career

Are you stuck in your career? Has your career stalled? Is it hard to keep up the motivation to continue in your role? If you answered yes to any of these questions, read on for ways to build momentum in your career so that you can continue working towards your goals, no matter how long it may take or how many obstacles you may encounter along the way.

1) Put yourself out there

There's no better way to build momentum than by getting experience. Find a job that fits your skillset and aligns with your industry goals. Once you're in that position, figure out ways to start taking on more responsibility or doing tasks outside of your designated role. If a career opportunity does come up, now you're ready to ace it and show off what you can do!

2) Write down your goals

The first step toward career success is making a clear picture of what you want and establishing your goals. The clearer you are about what you want and why the more motivated you will get there. Write them down; they're more likely to come true that way. Nothing beats pen-to-paper when it comes to goal-setting—and progress monitoring, too, for that matter.

3) Figure out what you can do now

It's easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you should be doing loads of things now. Take a step back and evaluate what you can realistically accomplish today. This is especially important for big-picture goals like being CEO one day—it's great that you want that, but don't get too carried away with mapping out your future from here on out.

4) Pick up new skills as soon as possible

If you aren't taking steps forward, it can feel like you're going backward. It's always good to swap out one skill for another, so stay on top of your abilities and keep finding ways to add new ones.

5) Actively fix problems

One of my favorite pieces of career advice comes from Walt Disney: If there is anyone's secret to success, it lies in the ability to get along with people. This point can't be emphasized enough. Think about your best bosses and coworkers: They were probably great at building relationships with coworkers.

6) Network like crazy

Building your network can be easy if you're strategic about it. Networking events are a great place to start, but you can also add people you meet on social media into your circle. You might also want to look for commonalities and interests with people who work at your current job or who used to work there.

7) Set up a schedule for yourself

Having a routine or schedule for your day is crucial for gaining momentum and keeping yourself on track. Plan out what you will do each day and stick to it, even if it doesn't go as well as you hoped. After a few days, you will start building momentum in your routine—and that momentum will propel you forward toward your goals.

8) Reward yourself for doing the hard stuff

Treat yourself after completing tasks you've been dreading, like a big project or some major event. If you don't know how to reward yourself without overdoing it, try a simple gift for yourself—like a new book from your favorite author or movie ticket—or something related to your new goal. Or look at that photo of your dream house and imagine what it would be like to live there.

9) Believe you are worthy of it!

The best thing you can do for your career is believe that you are worthy of it. It sounds cliché, but if you don't believe that people are watching and waiting for you to succeed, why would they ever give you a chance? Believing you are worthy of a spot at the table may feel like making yourself sick with stress. Still, time and time again, research has shown that those who go into a situation (interview, meeting, etc.) with confidence are more likely to come out victorious.

10) Make things easier.

The simplest way to build momentum is to make things easier. When you have a compelling portfolio of completed work, easy access to top-level connections, or are working at a company that's on an upward trajectory (and thus has opportunities for advancement), you create a situation where opportunities naturally flow your way. And when these opportunities present themselves, it's up to you to make sure you don't let them pass by.