Career stagnation is more common than you think. Therefore, if you are going through it, know that you are not alone. You may feel like your dreams of reaching the peak of your career are slipping through your hands. However, there is a lot you can do to revive your passion and reignite growth in your career. The first step is realizing that there is a problem. You can then actively address the issue and start recording growth as a professional. In this article, you will learn the how-tos of breaking free from career stagnation.
What is Career Stagnation?
Career stagnation is a feeling of disengagement from your work or career. You feel stuck because there is no advancement or growth in your career. Career stagnation can happen for many reasons. It can happen when you work somewhere for a very long time with no changes or promotions. Career stagnation can affect your self-worth as it can make you start doubting your abilities and skills. Therefore, you must deal with it once you realize it is happening to you.
Disengagement from your career can be worrisome. It affects productivity and can make you feel alone. However, many workers go through the same. A 2018 Gallup poll found that 66% of employees have experienced disengagement or active disengagement in their current workplace. Disengagement from work can also affect your reputation, skills, and personal advancement.
Disengagement Vs. Active Disengagement
The difference between disengagement and active disengagement is in the attitude. A disengaged employee has mentally, emotionally, and physically checked out of work and only works to get a paycheck. They have no desire to contribute to the organization’s mission or advancement. Meanwhile, an actively disengaged worker hates their work and will sabotage the organization or destroy the morale of other workers.
Signs of Career Stagnation
One of the first signs of career stagnation is boredom. You should normally be passionate about your work. Therefore, if you keep losing interest in work or feel like quitting every time, you must address it quickly. Asking for more challenging work can cure boredom if there are no underlying issues. Another sign of career stagnation is complacency. If you are not ambitious or willing to put effort into learning new skills or doing a good job, you might be experiencing a stagnant career.
Procrastination is another telltale sign of career stagnation. If you cannot be bothered about deadlines and turning in perfect work, you may be having a stagnant career. A sure sign of career stagnation is a stagnant salary or title. There is a problem if you do not advance through the ranks or get pay raises often. If your position doesn’t change despite changing jobs, too, you are experiencing career stagnation. Other signs include anger or defeat, lukewarm reviews, and an unclear future.
How to Break Free From Career Stagnation
Set a Goal
Having a goal keeps you focused and leaves no room for career stagnation. It keeps you fired up so you can get the qualifications, skills, and knowledge required to achieve your goal. You will be determined to get to the position or be the person you visualize for the future. This way, you will continue to be passionate about your work and motivated to add to the company’s growth.
Work on Your Mindset
A good way to beat career stagnation is to reframe your attitude toward work. Don’t view it as doing your employer a favor. Rather, see it as adding to your knowledge and contributing to the development of society. This way, even when you experience setbacks, you can quickly bounce back. It will also help you to adopt the right attitude towards challenges and work.
Work on Your Skills and Qualifications
Lack of the requisite skills and qualifications can cause you to experience career stagnation. Therefore, you can overcome it by refreshing and updating your skills and qualifications. This will give you a competitive edge, keep you relevant in your workplace and industry, and revive your professional growth.
Volunteer
You can reignite your passion and professional growth by volunteering. Volunteering helps you develop new skills, meet new people, and gain new experiences that can propel your career forward. You can mentor junior staff or organize events. Doing this will help make you visible in the organization and help you develop more passion for your work. You could also join in planning community events or volunteer with nonprofits. This way, you can improve your communication skills and self-confidence.
Get Mentorship
Sometimes, the right information is all you need to get your career back on track. You can get that through mentorship. A mentor will equip you with the knowledge and attitude that can help you reignite your professional growth. You can also network within and outside of your organization. This way, you will gain information and provide value for others, which can help you regain passion for your work.
Follow Your Passion
You may be experiencing career stagnation because you are in the wrong profession or industry. If you have never been passionate about your work and have tried to no avail, you may need to change your career. Doing what you love will motivate you to invest time and resources into improving and advancing your career.
Career stagnation is a terrible experience. However, you don’t have to be stuck in that position. If you follow the tips in this article, you can revive your dying career and get the promotions, raises, and love you have missed out on for a long time. When you change your mindset, take action, and follow your passion, you will break free from career stagnation.
#Clique, have you ever experienced career stagnation? How did you break free from it? Let us know in the comments.
