3 Secrets to Move Beyond Being Stuck in a Rut with Your Career
Author: Nicky J. Davies |
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Categories: Career Reset
We are heading towards the weekend and I’m wondering if you are gritting your teeth, white knuckling it, self-medicating with caffeine and sugar, or maybe even pain killers, grinning and bearing it… whatever it takes to get through the next few days before you can finally breathe and relax, only to repeat the whole thing again next week. Sound familiar?
Well I have news for you, and you already know this to be true:
Nothing is going to change unless you are willing to do the work, to invest in yourself and take action to move forward instead of standing still, totally stuck in a rut.
So, let me share with you the three secrets to move beyond being stuck in a rut that I’ve used with myself and countless managers who were initially stuck right where you are, right now.
Secret No. 1: Be honest with yourself.
How satisfied are you with your life and especially your career path? If you had to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is rubbish and 10 is glorious, how would you rate it?
Surprised? Who are you trying to please? What are you trying to prove to yourself and others?
And now breathe.
Secret No. 2: Make a decision to change this situation.
Change requires a decision – are you ready to do something about your career situation now, or are you going to continue with the same routine day in, day out like the film Ground Hog Day?
This does not mean quitting your job tomorrow. What it does mean is making a decision that you are going to do something about your career situation. Every change starts with a decision. What are you going to choose? More of the same? Or change for the better?
By making a decision you have made a commitment to yourself, and have taken an important step in moving your career situation and your life forward.
People can stay stuck for a very long time. I recently spoke with someone who has been stuck in a rut, repeating the same old pattern job after job, for 20 YEARS! She is very successful, knows how to play the corporate game. But boy is she paying the price for doing something that isn’t in alignment with who she really is – panic attacks, trouble sleeping, wanting to be free but unable to move forward. Until now. How long are you willing to wait?
What are the excuses you are using to not make this decision?
"Oh I’m waiting for a better time to make a change"
"When the children are older, I’ll start then"
"When we don’t have to pay University fees any more, I’ll get to it"
"When I’ve paid off my debt, then I’ll do something about it"
There is no perfect time to decide to make a big change to your career situation. It’s an illusion. Why keep putting it off?
Make a decision today. You owe it to yourself.
Secret No. 3: Make a plan and take action.
People often spend more time planning their next holiday than planning the next few years of their career and their lives. Move outside your comfort zone and plan with a clear goal in mind. Work backwards so you know what you need to do on a monthly / weekly / daily basis to get there.
Consider secondments, shadowing others who are doing the job you are interested in, or running the type of business you are drawn to. Ditch the conventional career rules and make use of your wider networks.
So, there you have it – the three secrets to move beyond being stuck in a rut with your career:
- Be honest with yourself about your career situation and your life
- Make a decision today to do something about it
- Come up with a plan and start taking action
Sounds simple, hey. But simple isn’t necessarily easy! If it were that easy you probably would have done something about your career situation before now.
Our minds have a habit of playing tricks on us, putting obstacles in our way that sabotage us from moving forward. We become fearful, and it can stop us in our tracks. Having someone by your side to walk this journey, who supports and challenges you can make all the difference in the world – saving you time, money and stress.
Find a mentor who has been there and knows the shortcuts. They can help you come up with a robust plan AND hold you to account for your actions. Its surprising how powerful having an accountability partner can be in getting things done!
I’ve worked with more than 4,500 managers over the past 15 years, many of whom were sold on the lies they were telling themselves – oh things will get better…. I just need to find the right job… I’ll make a change next year when I have more time, have sorted out my finances, the children are older……….
Take advantage of a FREE 60mins Career Breakthrough Session with me by clicking on this link: Book a Career Breakthrough Session
Together we can:
Get clarity on your vision Uncover obstacles that are sabotaging your progress Come up with action steps you can take to move you forward – free yourself from your own shackles
Click on this link: Book a Career Breakthrough Session
Your life is too precious to let time drift by. This is not a dress rehearsal, this is the real thing. The curtain is up and all the stops are out. You are alive. Start living!
From my heart, Nicky