Top 10 Ways to Overcome Feeling Stuck in Your Career
1. Avoid Safety Behaviours: There are behaviours that keep us stuck and these can includes excessive distraction (i.e. scrolling on your phone or ruminating), avoidance of difficult tasks/responsibilities, isolating yourself, and harmful releases such as drugs/alcohol, over eating, and gambling.
2. Reflect on Your Goals: Set time aside to assess or define your career goals. Research new potential career options that are in line with your experience and training. Write these potential options, likely action items for each, and do a cost/benefit analysis.
3. Seek Feedback and Counselling: Reach out to a therapist that may help through use of CBT, career aptitude tests, or personality tests that can provide insight and direction. Talk to colleagues or mentors for advice and feedback. Use their insights to identify areas for growth and new opportunities. They may be able to provide more clarity on practical steps.
4. Expand Your Skill Set: Enroll in courses, attend workshops, or obtain certifications in areas that you feel may fill a gap in your learning but also may open more doors. Developing new skills lead to new roles or responsibilities.
5. Network: Join professional associations, attend industry events, and find ways to connect with peers. Resources such as linked-in could be starting point. Make an effort to stay active in networking as it can lead to new opportunities and broaden your perspective.
6. Set Short-Term Goals: Break down your long-term career aspirations into smaller manageable, short-term goals. In a daily planner, create a routine that includes regularly scheduled time dedicated to each goal. This can help build momentum and boost confidence.
7. Consider Pivoting in your Career: Explore new roles within your organization or even entirely new fields that align with your skills and interests. Sometimes a change in direction is what's needed to reignite passion and growth.
8. Volunteer for New Projects: Take on new projects or responsibilities at work that are outside your usual scope. This can demonstrate your capabilities and interest in growing within the organization.
9. Practice Self-Care: Prioritize your mental and physical well-being. A healthy mind and body can improve energy and focus in the workplace. Start on the basics, which includes getting enough sleep, walking more and more briskly, eating regularly and at the same time daily.
10. Evaluate Your Environment: Assess whether your current workplace culture and environment are conducive to your growth. If not, it may be time to consider a change in employer to find a better fit for your career aspirations.
To access cognitive behavioural therapy in Toronto, specializing in men’s mental health, please contact the mens wellness clinic to book a free 15 minute consultation or by phone at 416 834 2080. To access therapy for women contact psychology today, which provides a list of psychotherapist that practice cognitive behavioural therapy.
