How to Get Out of a Career Rut

Your safe job quietly kills your career growth. Comfort feels good. But it's costly. Every day in that safe role chips away at your potential. The truth hurts: Real stability comes from growing, not hiding. I understand. Job security feels precious. 69% of professionals are scared these days. But here's hope: Small shifts create big changes. No dramatic moves needed. Here are 7 actions to escape career stagnation: 1. Master Rare Skills 💬 "I'm waiting to find my passion first..." ➟ Focus on valuable skills your industry needs. ➟ Learn one uncommon skill using company resources. 💡 The market rewards rare abilities, not enthusiasm. Try: List 3 skills your industry struggles to find. 2. Build a Mentor Network 💬 "If only I had someone to guide me..." ➟ Pick experts for specific skills you want. ➟ Schedule focused learning sessions. 💡 Multiple mini-mentors beat one guru. Try: Reach out to one person who excels at something you want to learn. 3. Recycle Career Skills 💬 "My past experience doesn't matter here..." ➟ Reuse old skills in new contexts. ➟ Turn past roles into future advantages. 💡 Career changers often outperform single-track experts. Try: Write down 3 skills from your past that could help in your current role. 4. Create Success Stories 💬 "Nobody notices my work..." ➟ Document weekly wins. ➟ Share achievements strategically. 💡 Visibility requires intentional communication. Try: Start a "wins" note on your phone today. 5. Skip Traditional Credentials 💬 "Maybe I need another degree..." ➟ Choose real projects over certificates. ➟ Share insights online instead. 💡 Experience beats expensive degrees. Try: Start one small industry project this week. 6. Break Down Career Blocks 💬 "Everything feels stuck..." ➟ Separate issues: learning, growth, balance. ➟ Solve one problem at a time. 💡 Small fixes create momentum. Try: identify one specific career pain point to tackle first. 7. Plan Like a Strategist 💬 "I keep busy but go nowhere..." ➟ Study successful colleagues. ➟ Copy what works. 💡 Progress comes from strategy, not random action. Try: Observe one successful person's habits this week. --- You deserve better than career quicksand. Small actions today create big wins tomorrow. Security AND growth can coexist. Which action will you start with? Document your journey. Review monthly. Stay aware. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please add your take in the comments ⬇️ ♻️ And repost if this resonated with you!

I decided to start the week with this. I’ve discovered that for experienced professionals, some things seem like platitudes. But for folks who are still feeling their way through their career, and “adulting" the right type of guidance helps. You feel overwhelmed at work & are not doing tasks you like. Unmotivated & frustrated, you're uncertain if you should quit, pursue a master’s program, or start your own business. But even that is confusing! Sounds familiar? Here is how I recommend you get out of that rut. 1) 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: It's okay not knowing everything. The key is to embrace learning & keep growing each day. Accept that it's fine to make mistakes, provided you learn from them. It's part of the learning curve. 2) 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬: SMART= specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. Instead of saying, "I want to get better at my job," say, "I want to improve my sales numbers by X% in Q3." This gives you a clear target and a way to measure your progress. 3) 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 Y𝐨𝐮𝐫 G𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬: Have clear, tangible goals and visualize them daily. They serve as your signal in times of uncertainty and remind you what your targets are. 4) 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: While motivation is a can aid action, it fluctuates. Discipline, on the other hand, keeps you going even when motivation wanes. Discipline is committing to your goals and working towards them, 5) 𝐀𝐜𝐭!: Instead of waiting for the perfect plan, take action based on the information you have. Be willing to adjust your approach as you gain new insights, moving closer to your goals with each step forward. 6) 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤: Seek constructive feedback from colleagues, mentors, or supervisors. This can give you insight into areas where you can improve. Remember, feedback is not a criticism of you as a person but a tool to help you improve. 7) 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬: Maintain a sense of curiosity about your work and field. This can lead to a deeper understanding and open new avenues for growth. Ask questions, do research, & always strive to know more. 8) 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤: Building relationships can be beneficial. You can learn from experiences, get advice, & discover opportunities you would not have otherwise found. Don't be afraid to connect with others. 9) 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Everyone has days they feel inadequate. It's part of being human. Instead of feeling bad about yourself, approach these situations objectively. 10) 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞: Work is important, but so is the rest of your life. Ensure you have work-life balance. This prevents burnout & keeps you from getting overwhelmed. Relax. Spend time with loved ones. Remember, personal & professional development is a continuous journey of growth and self-discovery. Embrace the process, stay resilient, & enjoy the fulfillment that comes from progress and achievement. Have a great week. Davidson 

In this unpredictable job market, many professionals feel stuck. They’re ready for change, but afraid to leave because of the instability and uncertainty we're facing This weekend, I joined ABC News Live to talk about how to take control of your career, even if you’re not ready to make a big move. We explored five ways to make the most of a job you don’t like but aren’t ready to leave: ✅ Clarify what you do like. Even in a tough role, there are likely moments that energize you. Identifying and doing more of what lights you up helps you feel more fulfilled and in control of the situation while you figure out a longer-term plan. ✅ Build strategic relationships. Feeling stuck often leads to isolation but connection creates momentum. The right conversation can offer fresh insight, encouragement or even open the door to your next opportunity. ✅ Take on a new challenge. If you’ve outgrown your job, find a problem to solve. It’s a way to grow your skills, increase your visibility and expand your experience without changing your job title. ✅ Invest in yourself. It’s never been easier to invest in your own professional development. Sites like LinkedIn Learning and Udemy make it easy to grow your skills. You might even find that your company will fund job-related training and certification programs. ✅ Practice self-advocacy. If you’re feeling unsupported or unappreciated, ask for what you need. That might be clearer expectations, more feedback or new responsibilities. Every time you speak up, you build confidence and strengthen a skill that will serve you long-term. If you’re in a career rut, I hope this conversation gives you a few practical ways to start building momentum. See the comments for the link. What are you doing to stay engaged and challenged at work in this moment? #careersuccess #leadership