Feeling stuck in your job? Here’s how to break free

Are you feeling stuck in your job at the moment? I’m sure it took you less than a second to answer that question, and if so, it’s completely normal to feel stuck in a role – even if you once really loved it, or you expected it to be your “dream job”.

The good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck forever and there’s a range of options available to you if you need to shake things up.

Once you recognise why you are feeling stuck, it’s time to stand up for yourself and take the next step.Credit: Erin Jonasson

Firstly, take a moment to reflect on the warning signs that you may be stuck in your job. This could include:

• Feeling completely unmotivated
• No desire to grow or learn more
• Don’t see a future there
• Not feeling challenged
• Feeling like your talents are being wasted
• Your health is declining
• Work not aligned with your values
• Lack of support from management
• Not being recognised for your hard work
• Dreading going to work every day

Once you recognise why you are feeling stuck, it’s time to stand up for yourself and take the next step in making a change. There’s no black and white answer to becoming ‘un-stuck’. Instead, here are six options to explore and see what works best for your situation.

Find the root of the problem

Start off by diving deep into the exact reasons why you feel stuck. Look back on the signs above and write a list of everything you do and don’t like about your job.

Be as detailed as possible – were there specific situations that bothered you? Is it the work or the people in your team that are the underlying issue? Are there certain things keeping you there?

Evaluate your options internally

Can you try a new project that involves working with colleagues from other teams? Does your company have different departments that you could move to internally?

If you aren’t clear on what the other areas of the company do, speak with your manager to see if there’s any possibility of setting up some internal work experience to gain an insight into what the other teams do on an everyday basis. You can also explore whether your employer offers any training or external learning opportunities that could assist you with changing roles within the company.

Talk to a variety of people

Talk to people in your network and ask what they do for work and what they love about what they do. Connect with new people through professional social networks and by attending networking events/seminars. Ask them about their job and what advice they can provide about working in their role/industry.

Learn a new skill

Look for in-person workshops or online platforms to learn new skills in an area you find interesting. There are plenty of free options out there like YouTube or Skillshare, so start there if you don’t have any clear ideas.

Don’t be afraid to keep trying new things – you may find a hidden talent or passion you didn’t realise you had.

Start a side hustle

Starting a side hustle is another way that you can explore your passions and potentially turn it into your full-time job. Growing a side hustle outside your work hours is a great way to test out a new career path while still receiving a steady pay cheque from your regular job.

Explore new job opportunities

If all else fails, it may be time to start applying for new roles. Use the learnings from your current role to find something new that aligns more closely with your working style, interests and values. We spend over 90,000 hours of our lives at work, so it’s important to find a job that fulfils you.

Téa Angelos is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and founder of Smart Women Society, an online education company providing innovative products and tools for women to grow their independence with money, career, wellbeing and love.

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