Are you in a career that you dislike but you feel there is nothing you can do about it?

 

Many of us stay in our careers longer than we want because we are unsure what we would do next. We tell ourselves that the answer will come to us someday. Then, we will make our move. Or, when the economy improves, we'll go. But in the meantime, we stay where we are, stuck and unhappy.

 

Your career does not get better until you make it better. This involves work. Yes, you may tell yourself that the work is hard to do. But isn't staying in a career (or job) that is draining your energy and taking away from your quality of life harder?

 

Getting out of rut is all about taking action to move yourself forward. You decide what you want and then you put a plan in place to get it. You see it, you believe it, and then you achieve it.

 

So, How Do You Get Out Of Your Rut? Follow These 6 Steps Below:

 

1. You Write Down What You Like To Do

 

List 10 things that you like or have liked about the careers (or jobs) you have been in. This exercise can give you insight and objectivity into what you want in your career. Past likes lead to future likes, which lead to career satisfaction.

 

2. You Write Down What You Dislike To Do

 

List 10 things that you dislike or have disliked about the careers (or jobs) you have been in. This exercise will tell you what you do not want in your next position. Many people can't tell me what they do want as easily as what they don't want. The good news is that the flip side of what you don't want is what you really want to be doing next.

 

3. You Create Your Ideal Job

 

Spend some time with a piece of papers and your inner thoughts. Ask yourself if you knew the next move in your career would absolutely, positively work, what would you do next? Be as specific as possible. Are you running your own company or your own department? Where are you based? Are your hours 9 to 5 or more flexible? Are you telecommuting? Are you working with numbers or people? Let whatever is supposed to come out, out. No screening; just what's important to you.

 

4. You Research The Market

 

Who can you talk to in the field you want to get into? What reports have been written about that field? What companies are doing what you know in your heart you should be doing next? Research works effectively when you are using the Internet, books, and people (all three) to help you understand where is the best place for you to go to next.

 

5. You Create Your Plan

 

When will your change take place? How will you get there? What steps will you take specifically and when will you take them? Write everything down. This way you will make sure you do not forget anything. And, you will have a place to add new steps along the way. Action leads to results. Inaction (or the lack of a plan) will only fuel and prolong your rut.

 

6. You Reward Yourself For Moving Forward

 

It is never easy looking at your career (or yourself) and deciding that something needs to change. Some changes come quickly, and some changes come slowly. Regardless of the pace you go, reward yourself for moving forward. It really is a big deal.

 

So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love!

 

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The foundations of any upward mobility plan or job search is articulating your unique promise of value online and in print. If you are not getting at least 20%-25% interview ratio when applying to new opportunities with your current resume, and/or if you are not getting headhunting inquiries from your LinkedIn profile, then connect with the HigherBracket Team - memberservices@higherbracket.ca or 1-866-636-9400 and we can help figure out how to get your upward mobility back on track! Ask for Cara or Anthony.

 

Deborah is the author of "Coach Yourself To A New Career"
(631) 874-2877.

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