March 27, 2020
Feeling like you are stuck in a career rut? After you’ve been working for 10-15 years or more, it’s natural to assume that you know how to manage your career. However, a study by Harvard Business Review found that mid-career professionals need help if they want to avoid being undervalued and overworked.
Additionally, the researchers found that professionals between the ages of 40 and 48 were the group most likely to make work decisions that led to less-than-successful outcomes.
This was partly due to the pressures of keeping up with daily demands and feeling stressed about making changes. Mainly because employees often felt trapped between the need to innovate and the fear of being penalized if they took risks that didn’t produce quick gains.
if you think you’re heading into a career rut, there are many ways to recharge your career. Try these suggestions for dealing with fear and boredom and achieving more balance in your life.
Dealing with Fear and Boredom:
- Focus on strategy. Distinguish between leading and managing. Think about the purpose and impact of your work as well as how to get it done. Look for opportunities to influence and inspire others.
- Ask for feedback. Let your colleagues know that you value their opinions and advice. Thank them for their input and use it to enhance your performance.
- Cultivate your network. Warm up old contacts and reach out to new ones. Schedule at least one coffee date or business lunch a week. Join committees at your professional association and attend networking events.
- Find a mentor. Find someone you trust with expertise in areas that interest you. Remember that mentoring can be helpful at any stage in your career.
- Continue learning. Sign up for training sessions at work and browse online for certification courses. Subscribe to industry publications and discuss them with your colleagues.
- Practice deliberately. Apply what you learn to your daily work. Set goals for increasing your productivity and accomplishments. And additionally…
- Review yourself regularly. Evaluate your career at least once every six months to avoid being in a career rut. Update your resume and social media profiles.Set specific goals to strive for.
Try Creating Work Life Balance:
- Practice self-care. You’re more likely to overcome a career rut and have a successful career if you make your personal well-being a top priority. Eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, and stick to a consistent sleep schedule.
- Strengthen your relationships. Spend time with family and friends. Build a network of support with loved ones who know you and care about you.
- Maximize your leisure time. Use your hours outside the office wisely. Develop a hobby that challenges and relaxes you. Participate in cultural activities and team sports.
- Deepen your spirituality. Connect with something larger than yourself.Clarify your values and purpose in life. Pray, meditate, and read inspiring texts each day. Join a spiritual community with others who share your beliefs.
- Work smarter. Free up more time and energy for the things that matter to you. Plan your week in advance and coordinate errands. Leverage technology to complete tasks faster. Figure out the times of day when your performance peaks and use those hours to focus on your top priorities. And finally…
- Lighten up. You can enjoy life while taking your responsibilities seriously.A cheerful attitude may even help you to achieve more. Take frequent breaks and see the humor in difficult situations. Turn household chores and office paperwork into a game.
Your career journey should be an exciting time to learn and grow, instead of being stuck in a career rut. You can make dramatic changes like changing jobs or starting a new business or make smaller adjustments in how you approach your current position and daily life.
Always Rising Above!
xoxox Dr. Twanna
I’m an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and career coach for Twanna Carter Professional & Personal Coaching, LLC. I failed my first career transition from the military so badly, it took me the next 10+ years to build my confidence and recover. I know what it feels like to struggle with imposter syndrome and uncertainty about my worth in the workplace. It’s why I am dedicated to empowering Black women. Helping them navigate change and uncertainty by providing them with the tools and strategies they need to be successful. Schedule a V.I.P. Roadmap session today.
P.S. Think its time for a career change? Always been interested in entrepreneurship? Or is it time for a promotion? Then Its your time!
Schedule a V.I.P Roadmap session today. We only accept 4 clients in our career coaching program each month. So space is limited!
P.P.S Read more about anxiety from the Harvard Business Review about why people need more help during mid-careers to avoid getting stuck.
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You may also be interested in reading…
Curated Reads: Essential Books to Add to Your Personal Library
- Melaninated Magic: 180 Affirmations to Nurture Your Soul and Unleash Your Black Girl Joy by Twanna Carter, PhD
- Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD
- I’m Not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace (Successful Black Business Women), Elizabeth Leiba.
- Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler.
- Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini.
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
- Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg.
- Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.
- The Memo, by Minda Harts.
- Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear
- Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life, by Jamie Kern Lima
- 33 Tools to Remake Your Career by Paul Gabriel Dionne
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