Does your career need a boost or is it more than that?
We’ve all felt like we’re stuck in a rut at some point. Be it in our personal lives or professionally, there are times where you feel that you need more or simply that something needs to change. Navigating these feelings can be difficult though.
How do you determine if it’s time for a promotion or even a new job? How do you know if you’re burnt out and need to focus more on your personal happiness? Feeling the need for change is one thing but knowing why and what changes to make is vital.
There are many reasons why we feel this way so we’re going to dive into ways you can understand what you’re feeling and figure out what you need to do.
Struggling professionally
Ever spent a work day feeling miserable, annoyed at everyone and constantly wondering “why am I even doing this?” If you’ve ever felt anything like this, it might be time to consider the following:
It’s a good idea to upskill
These are just a few signs that it’s time to add some new skills to your repertoire;
- People are being promoted around you
- You find yourself getting bored easily
- You’re constantly asking others for help with your tasks
You might be sitting here and thinking but how is learning a new skill going to change anything?
Upskilling yourself gives you the opportunity to branch out into something new and interesting while giving you the chance to add a new level of value to your company. Learning something new or mastering something you already know will give you a new sense of purpose and reignite your passion in the workplace. It is also never a bad idea to invest in yourself and learning new skills is the best way to do that.
Even better, you can use online courses from sites like Udemy that offer cost-effective options for you to expand your skillset. And you don’t even have to leave the house!
Should you be asking for a raise or promotion?
Knowing when and how to ask for a raise or promotion isn’t easy but these are a couple of signs that indicate it really is time to ask.
- You killed your performance review
- You’ve upskilled yourself and can now be considered as overqualified for your current position
- You’ve taken on more responsibilities at work
Asking for a raise or a promotion is a little daunting and can feel like an impossible task. There is definitely a lot that should be considered before doing so. According to this Forbes article, there are 5 major things you should think about before you make your request.
What stands out from that article is that preparation is key! Make sure you can adequately show why you deserve the raise or promotion, understand what your role is worth and know how to position yourself correctly to show the value you can add.
Maybe it’s time for a new job
It is so disheartening when you feel like you’re giving your all to a job that is giving nothing back to you. We spend the majority of our lives at work so when it’s not enjoyable, life as a whole can feel pretty ‘meh’. There are many reasons to find a new job, a few of them are;
- You’re often bored.
- It’s a toxic work environment
- It’s starting to impact your mental health
- You are constantly being overlooked for any promotional opportunities
Always remember that your happiness, mental health and goals come before any job. If you are not satisfied in your current company or position then move onto bigger and better opportunities.
Start off by really thinking about what you want and then begin browsing job listings on LinkedIn. This article by Balance Careers has some really great tips on how to get started! Starting a new job is often quite scary but the thrill of boosting your career is just SO worth it.
It’s personal
You might find that you’re feeling really unmotivated and miserable at work but it has nothing to do with your company, your job role or anything work-related. This is when you have to really be mindful and understand where these feelings are coming from.
Creating the elusive work-life balance can be a struggle and the fear of burnout is real. This is why it is so important for you to set boundaries within the workplace. You’ll find that once you begin to prioritise yourself, your goals and your mental health, everything falls into place.
These are some of the best ways to overcome personal struggles that are impacting you professionally;
- Begin each day on a positive note – a positive mindset can change everything!
- Be aware of imposter syndrome and how this is affecting you. Read more about imposter syndrome here.
- Don’t be so hard on yourself. Perfection doesn’t exist so simply do the best you can.
Most importantly though, be patient with yourself and be kind to yourself. Life is difficult and we often feel endless pressure to be the best (thanks, Social Media). Simply take each day as it comes and make sure you’re doing the necessary work to keep bettering yourself.
Whether you are struggling personally or professionally, it is time to make a change and take ownership of your own life. You’ve got this!