4 Things to do When You Feel Completely Stuck in Your Career

It takes just a moment to go from winning and feeling like you're successful, to feeling as though your career is in chaos and you're trapped in your current situation. When you're feeling stuck, you fall into old habits, and you're unable to make better decisions. You trap yourself in a cycle of doing the same things, and you feel indifferent to your work. You feel that your life has become bland, and you're unsure of your next move.

First thing I want you to know is, you are not alone.?

I've been there, and we'll all reach this point sometime during the course of our career. Let me tell you a short story. Early in the year 2020, I was struggling to make decisions in my career. It felt like I had run out of good ideas. I felt paralyzed and was wondering what to do next.

I never ever thought I would feel this way. And it was a very very painful period for me.

Granted, I was reinventing myself and charting a new career path, and there were many skills I lacked. But I mean, before that time, I had created and facilitated several high - level think tank sessions and had consistently spat out amazing ideas. Yet, at that point, I felt stuck. The good news is, I eventually applied a few ideas which I will share with you, and in less than a month, my whole life changed.

And I completely got out of the rut. When you're stuck in a rut, there are things you can do to get back on track and onto the career path you should be on.

And here are 4 things you can do when you feel stuck in a rut.

The first thing to do, is to accept that, feeling stuck is very normal.

So, be honest with yourself and welcome the feeling. What I find so powerful is that genuinely welcoming this feeling not only makes the frustration quickly subside, but it's usually followed by enormous growth. Especially if you are honest with yourself and stay out of victim mode.

If you're feeling stuck in your career at the moment, don't lie to yourself. Maybe that feeling means you need to change your job entirely and do work that you love. Or maybe you just have to figure out how to get a promotion. Resisting the feeling of being stuck isn't helping you, it's just keeping you stuck.

I encourage you to to explore your passions, find enjoyable and meaningful hobbies, gain new skills, and improve your mental and physical health. The idea isn't for you to enroll in five new courses or to set unrealistic goals for yourself. It's to do — and, more crucially, try — the things that might be able to help you veer off track a little from where you feel stuck. According to research, we are happiest when we are doing the things that we value the most.?

The second thing you can do is to get away for a while.

In my case, I needed to stay away from work for a short time.?I noticed that the model I was using at the time was only making the same thoughts and ideas spin around in my head, and then blow over again, causing the “stuck-ness” to settle in more and more. When you are in the thick of problems, all you can see are the problems. But the solution often hides in other people's stories, personal retreats, books, new friends, and new locations.

Rest assured that you are not alone in your frustration with feeling stuck. Getting away for a while made me rethink my career path and consider what actions I could take to emerge from the stuck-ness not just more competent but also happier with how I do my work. Keep an eye on what motivates you.

This step is all about identifying career opportunities that pique your interest. You may now take the next step, armed with that information and your newly discovered interests that will keep you motivated.

The third thing you can do is shut down and start again.

About 2 years ago, I literally tore my career to bits. I remodeled my circle of friends and connections, took a different direction in my career, read lots of books, watched tons of shows and videos that made me grow, and explored many different possibilities. The key to this forced change was that I made decisions that I couldn't go back on, no matter how tempted I was to change my mind.

It's funny how a complete shutdown can lead to incredible changes that your mind could never imagine on its own. Sadly, most people think about all the stuff they are dealing with, and get overwhelmed by that, rather than just do something productive about it. You could shut down and start again as I did, or you could identify one thing you want to do and do it, or maybe read a great book like "war of art" by Steven Pressfield or how about joining forces with a friend or colleague to talk about what you hope to accomplish, and they do the same with you - this can be a tremendous motivator for you.

I would recommend taking a free class or webinar on a subject you find most interesting. You can also consider acquiring a certificate or any other professional degree. Doing some freelancing work before committing to a full-time gig in your new career can also help you appreciate what you're doing, which is the ultimate goal.

Start with one thing, but be prepared to trust God, as you'd be pushed to the extreme. I believe that with God all things are possible. But you must be ready to face fears you never knew you had.

And the fourth thing you can do - ooh! This one is exciting - is, get out of your comfort zone.

They say the magic happens outside your comfort zone. Getting out of your comfort zone can help you grow, move forward, and get unstuck. The most productive people start by getting out of their comfort zones. They start by reorganizing their daily routine and doing things that make their days more exciting.

Having fun while breaking out of your daily routine can be a great way to spice up your career. If you're like me and you work from an office room, restructure your workspace and bring new life into your work.

Enjoy good music, and arrange the space you spend most of your time in. You will be amazed at how much you will get done, and you will be ready to start building something new again. Seeing the fruits of your labour is also a huge motivator.

Do not underestimate how powerful this process is. Plus, you get to have fun too.

And that's what I have for you for today, I hope you enjoyed it. Now here's my question for you. What do you do when you're stuck and feel like you're surrounded by nothing but problems? Share your insights and advice in the comments below.

If you liked this article, visit my YouTube channel to watch my videos. Thanks so much for reading, see you next time.