How to Get Out of a Career Rut Fast - The Muse

How to Get Out of a Career Rut Fast - The MuseHow to Get Out of a Career Rut Fast So its another boring Wednesday.Or is just a typical draining Tuesday.Or dear God- is it still only Monday? Morning?SighAre you just going through the motions on career autopilot? Maybe feeling lost or distracted or drained, yet you dont know why? Honestly, all you do know is that time is passing and you are feeling pretty unhappy about your career. Somewhere, somehow- you checked out and now youre just cruising. If any of the following apply to you, you can know for sure that its time to make some moves. 1. You Blink and Six Months Have PassedA huge sign youre on autopilot in your career is that time just landseems to, well, pass. And not because youre so engrossed in your work, but because every day is like the next and for the life of you, you cant name one recent accomplishment youre proud to discuss.You wake up in January, stretch, and suddenly its Memorial Day. You start planning the summer and re alize- wait, its time for the holidays And through it all you keep saying I shouldI should get a new job.I should try and find work I actually like.I should pick up that cool new skill I keep talking about.And yet, time keeps passing.Heres What to Do About ItFirst off, stop using the word should. Start using the word will.Should implies that you have an out- its passive. Will is active. You are doing something. OK, made that switch?Your next step is to make a short-term plan. Its really hard to make big changes, like finding a new job. They feel overwhelming, you often dont know exactly where to start, and its easy to put it off.So instead, focus on the near-term future. If you want to get a new job, platzdeckchen a goal this month to update your resume. Thats it. Just focus on that one piece of the puzzle. Once you complete that piece, complete another, for example, you can reach out to three people in your network to tell them youre looking (this email template is a great place to start on that). If you want to get promoted, set a goal to sit down with your boss this month to talk about what you need to do to make that happen. Or set a goal to identify an extra project thatll make you shine come review time.Keep your eyes on small, simple activities that will move your forward and give yourself a deadline so you stay motivated. Small steps add up to big changes more quickly than more people realize. 2. You Procrastinate Making Any Career Moves at AllOh procrastination, my old friend. If you tend to put off making big decisions, you arent alone.Most people think I need a new job and then immediately also think Maybe Ill stick it out here just a little bit longerBut when you procrastinate on doing anything- well, nothing changes.Part of the reason we do this is because we havent let ourselves see how awesome the new job (or career) could be. Instead we feel overwhelmed by the road to get there- or what we may lose by making a big change.Heres What to Do About ItSo the next time you think about changing something in your career, sit down for a moment and revel in the positive possibilities of what the change could bring to you.More money? A better commute? More interesting work? A boss you dont hate?Really get concrete on what taking positive action can give to you. Imagine it, allow yourself to feel good about the future. But dont stop there. Write it down- preferably in a place where youll see it every day. Put it on a sticky note on your fridge or tape it to your bathroom mirror. Youll find yourself far more motivated (and much less likely to procrastinate) if the benefits are starring you in the face every day.3. You Have No Idea What You Want to Do Next- and You Havent for a WhileWhen people ask you about your career, you tend to make vague statements or change the topic. The truth is, you have no idea about what you want to do next- or even what would make you happy. And you cant remember the brde time that you did because of that, you avoid doing anything.Heres What to Do InsteadGet help No, seriously.Instead of going through the same pattern of thought, I dont know what do with my career Argh, this is terrible. Now I feel bad. I may as well watch more TVFind help to learn how to figure it out. Dont feel bad You were never taught this in school, so its no wonder you dont know how to do it as an adult.There are one million books, programs, coaches, and ideas for you out there to get you started on this whole finding my passion thing. Use what you have in front of you (Hint the powers of Google and this website) to help you find exactly what you need. You can start by reading this, this, and this one, too. Dont feel you have to go it alone, asking for help can sometimes be the very best thing for you