What do you do if you're a mid-career professional facing career stagnation?

I love the advice in the intro to this section but dang, “Assess Reality” sure sounds grim, doesn’t it? When I was in this spot, I sure wish I had known that assessing reality also meant recognizing and celebrating my accomplishments that got me to where I was. That’s a super important part of the assessment. We are all hard-wired to know our gaps and failings. We are not all hard-wired to know our superpowers. When you know what you already have (instead of just what you need to build) options start to appear that didn’t before. Don’t skip this step.

Personal evaluation is very germane to career advancement and development. Use SWOT analysis to evaluate how you are faring, how far you have come, how you can be better and what you need to put in place to experience positive change.

1. Self-Assessment: Reflect on career goals, strengths, and areas for growth. 2. Skill Enhancement: Pursue additional training, certifications, or education to stay competitive. 3. Networking: Expand professional network through industry events, seminars, and online platforms. 4. Seek Feedback: Request constructive feedback from supervisors or mentors to identify areas for improvement. 5. Explore Opportunities: Investigate lateral moves, new roles, or industries that align with interests and skills. 6. Set Clear Goals: Establish short-term and long-term career objectives to stay focused and motivated. 7. Mentorship: Seek guidance from experienced professionals. 9. Stay Flexible. 10. Seek Professional Help.

When I found myself at a career crossroads, feeling stagnant and unsure of my next move, I realized it was time to take control. Reflecting on what truly ignited my passion and where my strengths lay became my starting point. Seeking guidance, I reached out to a career coach whose insights proved invaluable. Through our discussions, I identified areas for growth. Recognizing the importance of continuous learning, I committed to acquiring new skills. Networking became another essential component of my journey broadening my perspective. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I embraced new challenges within my current role. By taking proactive steps and seeking support, I reignited the momentum in my career journey.

Expanding your skill set is a potent antidote to career stagnation. Formal Education: Consider pursuing an advanced degree or certification in your field. Professional Development Courses: Look for workshops, seminars, or online courses that cover relevant topics in your industry. These short-term investments can yield significant returns in terms of knowledge and skill acquisition. Self-Directed Learning: Take initiative to learn new software, tools, or techniques independently. Online tutorials, books, and practical exercises can help you develop expertise in areas that are in demand in your field. Networking and Collaboration: Engage with peers and experts in your industry to exchange knowledge and experiences.

I went through stagnation in my own career as a lawyer around 10 years ago and did the unthinkable. I completely switched fields and took on a new specialty. The first couple of years were a little shaky to say the least, but I worked on developing my leadership skills in addition to my new legal skills and it ended up being one of the best moves I could have possibly made. The results I've seen from continuing to develop my skills are beyond what I could have even imagined.

In my experience working with clients that are feeling "stuck" in their careers we discuss how they can spend time networking with professionals that are in roles that they might aspire to transition to in the future. Start with looking at organizations that are in your community where you could learn about others journey in there position. What steps did they take to acquire the skills needed to succeed? How did they make the choice to pivot in their careers? How could they support you should you want to start building your knowledge in that area? Exploring ways to develop your skills whether you stay in your current role or pivot can reignite your energy and take you out of stagnation into growth mode.

Here are some ways to consider change as a means to reignite your passion and propel your career forward: Internal Opportunities: Explore potential opportunities within your current organization. A lateral move to a different department or role can provide fresh challenges and perspectives, reigniting your enthusiasm for your work. Skill Transferability: Identify transferable skills from your current role that can be applied to different industries or positions. Education and Training: Consider pursuing additional education or training to support a career transition. Assess Personal Values and Goals: Reflect on your personal values, interests, and long-term goals to determine if your current career path aligns with them.

Despite being a certified life coach myself, I always have my own coach who helps me continue to grow and expand as both a leader and human. I am challenged in ways that I might otherwise not be and my coach is often able to see things that I may have missed from being too close to my own situation (and emotions). I truly believe having a life coach is one of the best gifts we can give ourselves.