Tips to Help Get Your Career Out of a Rut

Nancy Anderson
Posted by in Career Advice


It is common to experience a rut at some stages of your career. Long workdays can consume a lot of your energy — sometimes making your job feel like it's a significant part of your identity. However, setting career goals can re-energize your state of mind and your motivation. Learn how goal setting can spring you from the trap you may be feeling and boost your productivity.

Ramp Up Your Efforts

When you find yourself sinking into a rut, it's the optimal time to go the extra mile when setting your career goals. Analyze your job description and seek out ways to exceed your employer's expectations. Volunteer to take on more projects, organize team activities with your co-workers, and learn more about how each department within the organization operates. This new knowledge prepares you for your current job duties and prepares you for potential promotions. Arm yourself with more information to motivate your current efforts.

Seek satisfaction and inspiration from activities outside of your company, too. Establish career goals that motivate you to get involved in local charities and local fundraisers closely related to your field. Involve your co-workers in these efforts, and seek sponsorships from your company. Your employer is likely to notice your efforts that are indirectly marketing the company within the community.

Seek Professional Development

Align your career goals to your ongoing education to get out of that career rut. Inquire about continuing education courses online and at local colleges or universities. If you find yourself struggling with changes in technology or new software or hardware programs, find classes that teach you how to navigate these advancements in technology so you can improve performance on the job. Learning something new may also provide you with the knowledge you need to take on more duties at work that can lead to advancement or open the door for additional opportunities in your field.

Establish Yourself as an Expert

Boost your confidence by setting career goals related to your professional branding. Establish profiles on social media platforms and begin networking with people in your industry. Compile a blog or online portfolio to display your sample work and your skills. You can also contribute to industry magazines or online publications by volunteering to write a column offering advice to professionals in your field. Connect with professionals in your industry via sites such as LinkedIn or Twitter and share informative articles. As a result, you can boost your brand, your net worth and your branding as an expert to get you out of that career rut.

Career goals often provide motivation for professionals seeking to re-energize their standing in the field. Boost your confidence and your brand with goals that help to inspire your efforts while also prompting employers to take notice of your skills and experience.


Photo Courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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