28 Feb Breaking Free: Overcoming Stagnation and Achieving Career Growth

Career stagnation is a common experience for many professionals. I’ve expirenced it in my earlier consulting career. I was not able to decide which way to go out from my early days in the help desk job. Do I go into Management or Technical side? Do I need to learn more? Do I need to gain more experience? Would the new job be secure? There are lot of questions like this kept me stuck in a job which became boring.

Career stagnation occurs when you feel like you are stuck in a rut and cannot seem to progress in your career. You may feel unchallenged, bored, and unfulfilled in your current role, leading to a lack of motivation and a sense of frustration. However, career stagnation doesn’t mean the end of your career. There are steps you can take to overcome it and reignite your passion for your work.

What is career stagnation?

Career stagnation occurs when you feel like you have hit a ceiling in your career and cannot seem to advance to the next level. It’s often accompanied by a lack of enthusiasm, engagement, and motivation. You may feel like you’re stuck in a job that doesn’t challenge you, or you may feel like you’ve hit a dead end in terms of your professional growth. Career stagnation can also manifest as a lack of recognition or opportunities for advancement.

Here are some statistics on employees who feel stuck in their careers:

1. According to a 2021 survey by LinkedIn, 41% of professionals said they’ve felt stuck in their careers at some point.
2. A 2021 survey by Robert Half found that 35% of workers feel stagnant in their current jobs, while 46% of workers said they’re likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months.
3. A 2020 survey by Indeed.com found that 52% of workers feel stuck in their current jobs and 58% believe they need to learn new skills to advance in their careers.
4. A 2019 survey by Udemy found that 43% of employees feel stuck in their current roles and 74% of workers said they would consider quitting their current job to learn new skills.

As an Executive Coach I suggest mainly following steps (not in sequence) when I identify a client stuck in career and not able to find a way out.

Identify the root cause:

The first step to overcoming career stagnation is to identify the root cause. Is it because of a lack of challenge or opportunities in your current role? Are you unhappy with your company or the industry you’re in? Are there personal factors affecting your work performance? Identifying the root cause can help address the issue and develop a plan of action.

Seek feedback and assessment:

Feedback is essential to professional growth. Seek feedback from your colleagues, manager, or mentor on your performance and areas of improvement. Constructive feedback can help you identify blind spots and improve your skills. At times my clients do say ” I know what I don’t want but I don’t know what I want?” Psychological assessment also helps you identify your career interest, your strengths and values , which will be valuable to get clarity of next steps.

Set goals:

Once you have identified the root cause and become aware of your interest and areas of improvement, it’s important to set achievable goals. What do you want to accomplish in your career? Do you want to learn a new skill, move up the career ladder, or transition into a new role or industry? Setting small and clear goals can help you focus your efforts and measure your progress. In this step the client will be actively supported to overcome their anxious thoughts.

Network:

Networking is essential for professional growth. Attend industry events, conferences, and seminars to meet new people and learn about new trends and developments in your field. Build relationships with colleagues and industry experts, and leverage your network to seek new opportunities.

Continuously learn:

Continuous learning is key to overcoming career stagnation. Seek out learning opportunities, such as workshops, webinars, or online courses, to expand your skills and knowledge. Stay up-to-date with industry news and trends, and read relevant books and articles.

Take risks:

Taking risks is essential for career growth. When people have responsibilities of mortgage, family, kids etc. this step becomes very hard. Risk planning is required to understand the risks. At times my clients present more emotional risk than real risk. Don’t be afraid to take on new challenges, even if they seem daunting at first. Embrace new opportunities and be open to change.

Consider a coach:

If you’re feeling stuck and unsure of how to move forward, consider working with a career coach. A career coach can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and develop a plan of action to achieve them.

I wish everyone to find what #confucius suggests in this quote (not easy but doable)

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” –

This quote emphasizes the importance of finding work that aligns with your passions and interests.

Career stagnation is a common experience, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your career. Most of the employees prolong their situation and could end up feeling for frustrated and depressed.

Some of the workplace statistics which would help understand, how important career progression could be.

1. A 2021 survey by Mental Health America found that 75% of employees experienced burnout at work, which is a significant risk factor for depression.
2. A 2019 study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that 43.6% of employees reported experiencing workplace stress, which can contribute to depression.
3. A 2018 survey by the American Heart Association found that 25% of employees reported feeling depressed, and 80% of those who experienced depression said it affected their work performance.

By identifying the root cause and taking calculated risks will surely help overcome career stagnation. Remember that professional growth is a continuous journey, and it requires effort and commitment to achieve your goals.