Articles & Resources

The Cure for Career Stagnation

Many people remain in an unfulfilling job because they can’t think of the “one job/career” that is their life’s destiny. They wait and wait remaining forever stuck because the perfect job or the idea for a perfect job hasn’t come to them.
   
Very few people are lucky enough to have a job or career that is the only thing they want to, or more appropriately, are destined to do.  Most people would be happy, or even love, doing four or five jobs. Personally, I don’t have to be a psychologist. I am very happy in my current career choice but I’m certain that I would be very happy, satisfied and fulfilled if I was a business consultant, a politician, owned a restaurant, or worked in a large corporation, among other things.

Sometimes people don’t change jobs because they say they don’t have that lightening bolt of a career idea. You may be one of those people. You may not know what the perfect job is, but you certainly have some clues. For example, you know what you don’t want.  If you’re not good with your hands, being a carpenter or plumber will probably not be a good choice. On the other hand, if you love cooking, painting, planning parties, or gardening, then you may have some insights. 

The key is to hold back the voice in your head that is screaming about all the reasons why any idea you come up with is silly or unattainable. Anxiety and fear become brick walls instead of the speed bumps they should be. Instead of becoming an expert about the one hundred reasons why you can’t do something, try and think of the first step that you would take to move towards your idea.

A commitment to process is essential. Think of the very next step… not the totality of the project or goal. For example, say you are thinking of going back to school. Step one might be to have your transcripts sent over from your high school or college to the college you’re thinking of attending. The next step would be to make an appointment with an admissions counselor. These two steps are very doable. You may find that evening and weekend classes are offered and fit into your schedule. If you think of the enormity of getting a BA or an MBA you might stop before you even try. You are going to be five years older no matter what.   

Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of opening a restaurant. Step one might be to contact your city or state restaurant association and see if they have any classes/seminars/books on opening a restaurant. You might also start to look at locations and see how much the rent is for square foot. 

Small, discrete steps are required. Stay away from imagining a finished product that all too often proves intimidating and inaccessible. As you gain more information you will find your goal seems more real and attainable. Process is about small steps.  Don’t over-think. Don’t let your negative self dominate your psychology.