What do you do if you're feeling stuck and unfulfilled in your current career?

What helped me in the past when I was feeling stuck at a specific working situation were these four essential questions to pinpoint the root of the issue: 1. What parts of my job am I most unhappy with? Identify specific areas like tasks, environment, or growth opportunities. 2. Am I using my best skills here? Assess if your job aligns with your strengths. 3. Does this position align with my career goals? Determine if your job is helping or hindering your professional progress. 4. How is my job affecting my personal well-being? Reflect on the impact of your job on your work-life balance. First take a step back to analyze and than work out your escape plan.

To better understand whether you're experiencing a temporary slump or a deeper issue, consider seeking feedback from trusted colleagues or a mentor. They can offer an outside perspective on your situation and may help you identify solutions or opportunities you haven't considered. Additionally, engage in activities outside of work that enrich your life; sometimes, fulfillment in personal pursuits can significantly influence your feelings about your job. Lastly, if you decide that change is necessary, create a step-by-step plan for how you will explore new opportunities or address the issues you've identified. This plan can provide a sense of direction and purpose, alleviating feelings of being stuck.

Feeling stuck and unfulfilled in your current career can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to address this situation: Self-Reflect and Identify Goals: Take time to self-reflect on what aspects of your current career are causing dissatisfaction. Identify your values, strengths, and career goals. Explore New Opportunities and Skill Development: Once you have a clearer understanding of your goals, start exploring new opportunities and avenues for growth. By taking proactive steps to understand your aspirations and explore new possibilities, you can begin to break free from feeling stuck and move towards a more fulfilling career path that aligns with your passions and professional goals

First things first, take stock of your current situation like a doctor would check vitals. What aspects of your job are making you feel stuck? Is it the role, the company culture, or the lack of growth opportunities? Identifying these can help you understand whether your dissatisfaction is temporary or if it’s truly time for a change. This self-assessment is your starting point, much like a compass setting your direction.

Find the things that energize you and make you excited to do your job. Find things outside of work that will strengthen your mind and your career. You'll find that taking into consideration potential career paths and exploring what it might take to get to that point will help you feel unstuck and make you work that much harder to find a new role or get promoted.

Imagine you're at a buffet, but you've only ever eaten the same dish. Now's the time to try different flavors. Start exploring what excites you. Maybe it's a hobby that could turn into a career or a passion you’ve sidelined. Dabble in online courses or weekend workshops. Exploring can spark ideas about new career paths that align more closely with what makes you tick.

Setting goals is like plotting points on a map when you're planning a road trip. Decide what destinations (goals) you want to reach in your career. They should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely (SMART). Whether it's landing a leadership role or switching industries, having clear goals gives you a roadmap to follow and keeps you motivated on the journey.

If you're aiming to climb a mountain, you’d better know how to climb. Similarly, if your dream job requires specific skills you don’t yet have, it's time to learn. Take online courses, attend workshops, or even go back to school if necessary. Upgrading your skill set makes you a stronger candidate for future opportunities and can reinvigorate your enthusiasm for your career.

Networking is like gardening; you plant seeds and nurture them to grow connections. Start attending industry meetups, conferences, or even reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. Conversations with people in your desired field can provide insights and open doors to opportunities that aren't advertised. Effective networking can sometimes be the quickest path to a fulfilling career change.

As an HR pro, I see this a lot. It's a chance to reignite your passion! Here's how: *Reflect: Figure out why you're down (tasks, growth, culture?). *Reimagine: What kind of work excites you? What company values matter most? *Reinvigorate: Talk to your manager about growth opportunities or tweaks to your current role. *Upskill: Learn new skills relevant to your field or dream career. Take online courses or attend workshops. *Network: Build connections! Attend industry events and connect with peers on LinkedIn. *Consider a Change: Explore new career paths that align with your interests. *Be Prepared: Update your resume and polish your interviewing skills. Remember, change takes time. Be patient with yourself!

Eventually, it’s time to stop planning and start doing. If you've assessed your situation, explored your interests, set goals, gained necessary skills, and networked, you’re ready to make your move. Apply for that new job, start that business, or switch industries. Action is what turns your dissatisfaction into a new, fulfilling career path. Remember, the perfect time rarely comes; sometimes you just have to take the leap!

This is the time that seeking internal guidance is the only thing that will help you. Working with a spiritual coach will help you get connected to your inner voice, allowing you to understand yourself in a deeper way. We have all been given gifts and talents to serve a purpose. The further away we are from that, the more unfulfilled and miserable we will feel. A deeper spiritual connection will give you the answers you are seeking.

Seek outside perspective! It’s never a situation where you are the only one who knows you! But we think we are. I sought the counsel of a personality expert who, after submitting several assessments, was able to read me like a book. It was as if I was in A Christmas Carol. Spooky! Up until that point I had zero serious confidence in personality tests. Before this, I had taken quite a few—all of the well known ones—for one job or another. Are you outgoing? Yes. Are you ambitious? Yes. Would you steal? No. Are these serious questions? Come on! So, ask for feedback. Ask someone you wouldn’t normally ask. They have a different perspective on something you have been ignoring or denying—duh! You’re not always the smartest person in the room.

Sometimes, an outside perspective can help, but if you make plans based on what someone else tells you to do, you will eventually realize you're still unhappy. The unhappiness doesn't come directly from your outside circumstances but from the lack of acknowledging your internal compass. Because of our fast-paced lives, we sometimes forget to slow down and ensure we walk purposefully. The purpose is found inside yourself, not in the thoughts of others. So, start asking yourself what you would do if you no longer cared about what others would think. If you feel joy when thinking of possibilities, you are getting closer to motivating yourself authentically.