There are points in your career where you feel stuck. You may have gotten into a work routine that has become mundane. Or you just feel like you cannot gain any additional professional development with your current employer. Some of us may be able to jump ship and move on, but for most of us, especially now, we have to stick it out for the foreseeable future. In situations like that, it can become very difficult to get up in the morning to go to work. You may find yourself dragging, or maybe even reaching late; you just lack the zeal to get your job done. Here are some tips to get through this rough patch:
1. Do not pass up opportunities at work to learn. I very often encounter people who are unwilling to perform duties outside of their job description. The usual excuse is that “it’s not their job” or they have to be compensated for the additional responsibilities. While that is reasonable and true, those people tend to miss out on the chance to learn something new. We take for granted that we are great at our jobs and know the processes inside out, but do we really? There is so much to learn and the workplace is a treasure trove. You may be concerned about being taken advantage of because you are willing to assist, but consider the long term benefit of the experience. You will not be able to take on every new challenge, but make yourself available to the ones that most interest you, and more rewarding opportunities will follow. Has a colleague ever gone on vacation and you shied away from filling in for them? If so, please rethink that action in future. You will learn a new skill, make yourself more marketable and in turn revamp your interest at work. All pros.
2. Do some training. Many of us wait on our employers to provide or send us on some training. This is not a good idea. You may get chosen to do training once every quarter (if you’re lucky) or it may be very few and far between. Actually, given this current economic climate you may rarely get the opportunity. Why not invest in yourself and do some short courses that interest you. There are so many options online now that are affordable, accredited and respected. Set goals for yourself and pursue programmes which are aligned with those goals. You can do certificate courses or a full degree – it all depends on what makes sense for you and what you want to achieve. It will certainly help you to feel more fulfilled and give you a much needed push. Be prepared for long nights here and there studying and finishing assignments of course – no pain, no gain right?
3. Assess whether it really is time to move on. I said earlier that most of us have to grin and bear our current circumstances at work. However if you have been doing that for a while, maybe it really is time to move on to the next chapter of your career. You may have been thinking about opening your own business, or looking at job postings more often. We tend to have an instinct about these things – we know when it’s time to go. Of course please think carefully about your exit strategy before getting out. How much notice do you have to give? Are you in a financial position to just leave (hey some of us are very prepared) or do you need to source a job first? Once you have considered all of the pertinent issues, make your move. Always remember to never burn bridges – your potential employer will more than likely call your last employer for a reference.
Feeling stuck in a rut sometimes is normal. Think of it as the chance to reflect on your career and assess what the next steps are for your future. Hoping that you are able to map the way forward for yourself as quickly as possible. Cheers!
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