6 simple things that you can do right now to get unstuck in your job and career
Once in a while, we get stuck in our job and career. It doesn’t happen in a day but over some time. Work becomes monotonous, meaningless, with no sense of accomplishment, and neither engaging nor challenging. With no recognition and promotion, the salary hikes have no considerable impact on our lives. We think we have to change our job.
The worst-case scenario is that we change our job and find ourselves in the same circumstances as the last.
Do these 6 simple things before you make that decision and end up disappointed and frustrated.
#1 Work on a top priority initiative: Are you working on one of the top three initiatives in your business unit or your project. If not, why not? What can you do to change this and make a difference? This is the best advice I’ve received from a senior executive, and it’s helped me tremendously.
Working on top organization initiatives will provide you with the visibility you need to advance to the next level and break free from the sense of being trapped in your current position.
#2 Clarify your priorities and goals. Are your priorities and aspirations aligned or conflicting with what you are doing now? Are they helping or hindering your growth? How can you make your priorities work in your favor and help you advance in your career?
#3 Fill in the missing aspects in your profile. Is there something missing in your profile preventing you from progressing in your career? Have you beeen overlooked overlooked for a promotion because your peer had a higher qualificaiton? I personally don’t believe that qualification after certain experience matters, but it does happen in some instances. Sometimes managers use the reasons such as above to deny you the opportunity. It may or may not be the real reason. If you suspect this is not the real reason, try to have an honest discussion to identify root cause and take corrective actions. If lack of degrees or certification is the cause, then determine ways to bridge the gap, whether through experience or executive education.
#4 Do the networking the right way. Are you networking internally and externally the right way?. You connect to your network only when you need a job or are you connecting with them frequently. Assist an overloaded co-worker in his project, attend seminars, and your college reunions. “You have to dig well long before you need water, not at the moment when you are thirsty” the same principle applies to networking.
#5 Seek out an external perspective. Get an external perspective from a third party. It could be your mentor, friend, teacher, or someone you trust and listen. Importantly someone who invested in you and not your problem. You can also have this from your spouse/partner/family. It is better to avoid family members because a) They can be brutally honest, which would be unsettling b) They are invested in your problem and fail to give an unbiased perspective c) We hear them, but we don’t listen to them.
#6 Do not underestimate yourselves. You meet an old friend who has all figured out about their career and is the most happening person in your group. You wonder why you do not have that trajectory in your career. The truth is that “The grass is always greener on the other side” and no two individuals have a similar career path.
Life is a non-linear path with ups and downs. Comparing with others and feeling disappointed is a source of unhappiness. Avoiding comparison and focusing on strengths and abilities would take you higher up in your career.
Summary
- Work on a top priority initiative.
- Clarify your priorities and goals.
- Fill in the missing aspects in your profile.
- Do the networking the right way.
- Seek out an external perspective.
- Do not underestimate yourselves.
Thank you for reading this article — I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to comment, share it and let me know what you think about it.
Disclaimer: All the opinions expressed are personal independent thoughts and not to be attributed to my current or previous employers.
