Courtesy of Dreamstime
Do you feel stuck? In your career? In life, in general? Feeling “stuck” in your career is certainly not a good feeling.
What precedes it? A number of reasons could be the underlying culprit, such as low self-esteem, lack of education, lack of perceived opportunity and many more.
Stuckness poses a direct threat to your career pioneer prowess. So, it’s best to nip it in the bud as soon as you see the signs.
Maybe you feel stuck because the economy is in a slump, and it seems no one is hiring. So your plan to change gears and work for a new company is now not an option.
Or you feel stuck because you’ve plateaued in your current profession, and room for growth is zilch.
Or it could be that feel stuck because you’ve lost all interest in what you’re currently doing professionally and you have no other place to go. Plus, changing careers means going back to school or a potential strain on your already packed schedule.
Generally, when we feel stuck. It’s not exactly reality, but simply our own twisted perception of our current circumstance.
How do you get unstuck?
- Keep moving.
- Don’t look back.
- Don’t overthink it.
- Just do it.
If you continue to stay at your job, try really hard to find renewed interest in your industry, ongoing projects, or skill-set. Take a class to add some variety to your core competencies, or create new opportunities for yourself by discovering needs that have been left unmet.
Looking back will only torture you. The past will always seem greener than your present-day circumstance. But if you must reminisce, think of your past accomplishments to-date and remember that you’re the same person then as you are now, only better.
Are you a deep thinker? Thinking is a great chore if it’s the proactive, brainstorming-type thinking. But if you’re anything like me, then you’re probably the type of person who thinks a little too much, before attempting to take action. Don’t let your rogue thoughts paralyze you from moving forward.
Just do it. The greatest slogan to ever survive. (Thanks Nike!) It’s simply put, and understated, but speaks volumes to how we should proceed with our career. (Most of the time.) Plus, what’s the worst that can happen? Unless your life is at stake, why not go ahead and take a chance at taking a chance? You’d sleep much better at night knowing you went out on a limb for your dream. But dragging your feet in procrastination only leads to unproductively and sterile dreams.
Keep the Discussion Going
Are you stuck? Or do you feel as if you’re stuck? Evaluate your situation, and determine how your thoughts are affecting whether or not you make things happen.
Remember: negative thoughts, fear, and self-doubt are toxic and self-limiting. Make it your goal to replace those thoughts with more positive, affirmative ones instead. And you’ll see that things will start to look up.
