Stalled Careers | Regaining Professional Career Priorities And Focus

Career Atrophy – an insidious problem

Many executives and professionals have been sold on the myth that being good at their job is equivalent to managing their career. Perform and the rewards will follow!

The reality couldn't be further from the truth.

This lack of strategic positioning inevitably leads to Career Atrophy – the gradual shrinking of career skills and options.

Informal contacts and networks dry up. Over time, their ability to market themselves and articulate their value diminishes. They become dependent on others to advance their career.

Ultimately, they're often forced to settle for unrewarding careers that demand long hours and offer little personal fulfilment.

The 'in a rut' executive

The biggest problem for executives and professionals who are 'in a rut' is a lack of confidence in their ability to take control of their careers.

Often they lack any specific career goals or direction. They also lack an independent and objective third party to help them understand that they are top-quality performers with the potential to effectively market their unique value proposition.

In a rut

Are you are career minded professional who has progressed through the ranks of management consistently – until recently? Are you no longer put forward for promotions or considered for interesting new projects?

Career progression is usually steady – marked by achievements and value adding – until some upheaval occurs. Upheaval can be in the form of new staff, a new CEO or a change of corporate structure which sees you as far less important.

Your input into the decision-making process may be on the slide, despite a good track record in developing progressive ideas and improving business processes and systems. Your confidence in personal skills and the direction of the organisation drops dramatically and you feel like you are 'stuck'.

You may react by looking for a new job, attending interviews and talking to old contacts but find the options seem limited, the pay is less and the opportunities for advancement are non-existent.

It is here that you can become stuck in the 'income' rut ... the job you have isn't great, but it pays better than the other jobs on the market so you might as well stay. Right?

Now, its just a job. You don't care about the success of the organisation which is directly reflected in your efforts at work and sense of personal career satisfaction.

Emotionally, physically and mentally you feel at an all time low – or in a rut.

The reality is that you are probably highly marketable but are weighed down with feelings of career negativity and a lack of clear and motivating goals. You are neither compelled to leave your current job or happy to stay in it, a rather difficult predicament.

Why Not Make Yourself Your Next Work Project?

It Is Time To Put Your Own Future At The Top Of Your Priority List

Remember back to your early career success and a project that inspired you. Think about how you approached the challenge with a coherent strategy, with passion and a sense of purpose. That energy is something you should carry throughout your career – it will help you reach your goals and help you stay satisfied and motivated. That energy creates impressive, promotable managers and executives.

You can regain that energy and enjoyment in your career – probably sooner than you think. To get a fresh perspective on your career situation and learn some practical steps you can take to lift your career out of a rut, arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with an EPR career management expert. Let us help you bring the inspiration back into your career and get you moving up the corporate ladder. Our consultants can quickly help you find ways to feel more elevated and empowered, and they can help you to build the goals and strategies that will get your career moving in a new direction.

Click here to arrange a free, no-obligation career management consultation now.

Web Design by Marketing-Results