Do you feel stuck?

Finding yourself in a career rut is a disconcerting experience. Most of the times, we chalk up our dissatisfaction in our jobs and careers to bad bosses who don’t appreciate us, menial duties that don’t give us job satisfaction, colleagues we don’t get along with and on and on.

This is the place where Kate, who was relatively happy though not completely satisfied in her career, found herself. She took a step back and engaged in some introspection. After figuring out who she was and how her values, talents and abilities contributed to her ideal vision, she was ready to identify and start letting go of what was making her feel stuck.

Patterns

One of the great mysteries of life and human behaviour is that sometimes we tend to repeat negative patterns over and over without realising it. One of the most difficult things to do is to acknowledge that in many circumstances, we have a part to play in the dissatisfaction that we feel at work.

For example, say you constantly find yourself on the receiving end of draining responsibilities. Chances are high that you accept these roles because you do not think you have a choice.

Empowering beliefs

Having unwavering confidence in your abilities and in your worth is vital in every area of your life. This allows you permission to negotiate for more of what you want and less of what you don’t. Find a way of communicating, in a positive way, to your supervisor about how you can be of best use and where your talents are best suited.

Ensure that at every evaluation or conversation, you do not tire of pushing this agenda. The change may not be instant, but it will be worth it when you experience more job satisfaction. Whatever aspect of your work it is that causes you discomfort, analyse what in your own behaviour encourages it, take responsibility for this and take a positive action.

Boundaries

Just as we set boundaries in our personal lives, so should we at work. Saying ‘yes’ to assignments that we don’t feel passionate about, while it may endear us to our colleagues or bosses, ultimately leave us feeling deflated and drained. Remember that excessive giving can leave you empty and depleted. Find a way to say ‘no’ in a firm and assertive way but without alienating the person asking.

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