[bctt tweet=”Here are 7 things you can do when you’re in a career limbo and are this close to giving up” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
Too many people feel like they’re in a dead-end job or that their career is just not taking off like they expected. Feeling stuck, unfulfilled and unmotivated has to really suck. The good news is there’s always a solution to every problem out there.
Here are seven things you can do when you’re in a career limbo and feel like giving up:
1. Do something out of the ordinary
Try out new things and discover new interests. You need a different head space to realign yourself with your professional goals. Have these changed?
Taking a breather can help you decide if you need a different strategy or simply want to try something different like switching to a new company or even a new career.
2. Improve on your skill set
Perhaps, the reason why you feel like your career isn’t really moving forward is because you haven’t actually put in the effort to improve on yourself.
Put in the time and effort to build your skills via online courses, training, self-study, workshops etc. Working on yourself is always an advantage. Sometime soon, someone will be sure to take notice. And if they don’t, tell them.
3. Be prepared to take risks
This could mean taking a risk by changing your method of working.
Perhaps, you have refused to move with the times whilst everyone else is finding advanced ways of getting their work done and moving up the corporate ladder.
4. Go to your mentor
At this stage, if you already have a mentor that you reach out to from time to time, be prepared to hear some hard truths. There are certain things you should be doing to stand out which may be lacking that your mentor will point out to you.
If you don’t have one, you know what to do. Look for someone you admire for their professional ethic and successful career in a field related to yours. There must be things that you can emulate from their story and apply to your own career to get you out of the rut.
5. Take on leadership responsibility
One way to get a promotion is through leadership. Can colleagues look up to you for guidance and maturity in dealing with challenges? Are you one to look out for the team as a whole?
Leadership is about putting yourself out there and motivating others to do their best. If you’re seen as a leader, you’ll eventually be given additional responsibility which can move you into new assignments, opportunities and promotion.
[bctt tweet=”You have the power to modify your professional game” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
6. Re-invent yourself
Social media can be a great tool to help you achieve this. You have the power to modify your professional game. Through channels like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter you can sell yourself by highlighting your interests and aspirations.
In the workplace as well, you can re-invent yourself by getting involved in things that will expose you to new areas.
7. Express your concerns to your manager or supervisor
The thought of approaching your superior about your feeling stagnant within the organization might be a bit awkward or scary.
However, they could help you figure out what opportunities exist, what areas you need to put more effort in or simply tell you why things just aren’t moving at the moment.
After giving some of these your best shot, something’s gotta give. Good luck in getting your career back on track. We have faith in you.