You’re in a great job but you feel quite stagnant. You have job security, a decent salary and great relationships with your colleagues but you feel like you’re not progressing. You might even be thinking about quitting or switching lanes. The truth is, when you’re at a job for a long time, it’s common to feel like this but there are ways to get that spark back and help grow in your job.
Here’s how:
- Reflect
Think back to what made you love this job in the first place. Ask yourself questions like what made you initially want to apply for the position all those years ago? That drive that made you fight off other applicants and work hard to stand out is exactly the drive you need to dig for. Step outside of the bubble that you’ve grown to be so comfortable in and look at the bigger picture. Do you love the company the way you did back then? Do you still get excited when people ask you what you do for work and you get to tell them? Are you proud? Ask yourself these questions. Self-reflection is key when you are in this unsure state and when you know the answer to these questions, you’ll know how to move forward.
- Mix it Up
If you’ve been doing the same things in your job, day in and day out, maybe it’s time you try and mix things up! This can mean many things, big and small. Maybe it means rearranging, re-decorating and de-cluttering your desk, maybe it means changing your desktop wallpaper or changing the colour and style of that report template. It could even be as simple as getting new pens or a new work wardrobe. Do this regularly and find new things that get you excited, because you’d be surprised at how small changes can encourage big things.
- Level Up
There is always room for improvement, and this applies to your knowledge in the workplace as well. Take a short course online that may expand your skills beyond your current position requirements. You can even speak to your supervisor about what kind of skills would be valued at the company and you never know, it might lead to a new job opportunity in the future! You can never know too much, and employers will value the employees that are always looking to be challenged.
- Feel inspired
Surround yourself with people and things that make you feel inspired. Go to coffee in the morning before work with people that lift you up. Talk about your successes and discuss what you want to do next. The best people will always encourage you and that encouragement can be exactly what you need to take on the day feeling motivated to tackle that to-do list. And this doesn’t just extend to people, maybe there’s a show/movie or a book, a meal or a lifestyle change (like exercise) that always leaves you feeling like you can conquer the world. Embrace these! Your only enemy is you. Stay determined, stay motivated and stay inspired.
- Be comfortable with being uncomfortable
An important element of change is growth. When implementing change in any form, it is completely normal to feel uncomfortable with having not yet adjusted to the new routine. Something important to remember is that if you aren’t uncomfortable, you aren’t growing. If you want to progress through your job or your life even, you are bound to make changes and if you are not ready to embrace them, you’re not ready to grow. Things will get easier, and you will face a few bumps along the way, but the lessons you learn while growing are the ones you’ll hold onto for life. Take the chance and be uncomfortable.
