What to Do When Youre Stuck in a Career Rut - The Muse

What to Do When Youre Stuck in a Career Rut - The MuseWhat to Do When Youre Stuck in a Career Rut Rut a fixed or established mode of procedure or course of life, usually dull or unpromising.Doesnt sound like much fun, does it?It would be a different story if that fixed or established mode was whiling away at a luxury beach-front house on a South Seas island, while nubile young things pandered to your every whim and a Michelin-starred chef fed you truffles by hand.But its not that. At all.What it is, is commonplace. Everyone gets into a rut from time to time (no matter how much we might pretend that were not), and if you dont do anything to escape one, life can quickly shrink down to nothing.So, lets see how we can get you out of that rut, shall we?Switch Up Your RoutineYou probably have your route to work all set an efficient route you dont have to think about that gets you where you need to go with minimal thought and fuss.This week, try mixing it up. Take a different road. Go to a different bus stop. Walk along different streets. Instead of writing off this part of your day, look at it as an exciting or interesting journey, and be sure to notice whats around you on your travels.Truthfully, its through patterns, routines, and habits that life can lose its sparkle- so changing your route to and from work can be a literal first step to getting out of a rut and doing things a little differently.Do Something That Lifts You UpIt happens by increment. Bit by bit. Inch by inch. Things settle. Your sight gets lowered onto the detail of whats right in front of your nose rather than what could be.When youre deep in a rut, you first of all have to look upward to see that there is an out. So, spend a moment today thinking about whats out there that might be mora fun than youve known in a while. What is there that could excite you? What is there that could lift you?Try that evening cookery class. Take a friend to the coast for a couple of days. Pick up a paintbrush or put pen to paper and play around with some creative expression. No matter what you choose, add wonder, exploration, or the unpredictable into your schedule. Go where the promise is.STILL FEELING STUCK?Well help you get out of your rut and into a career you love. MEET OUR CAREER COACHES Be Selfish in the Right WaysWeve all been there. Those times when youre running on empty, feeling like youve got nothing left and like you just want a damn vacation already- those are the times when youve spent your energy and are slipping face-first into that rut.This is why, even if youre really, really busy, you need to be selfish and prioritize yourself. I call it nourishment- making sure youre nourishing your head, heart, and body by feeding yourself with the things that allow you to live a rich life. Theres no way you can climb out of a rut if you dont.What makes you feel like you again? What makes you smile from the inside out? What soothes you? What energizes you? What makes your mind spark? What makes your body glow? This could be anything, big or small. Listen to a favorite song, give your partner a hug, become a regular at that yoga class, learn a language, get an extra hour of sleep, start a reading habit, practice meditation, take a long walk- anything.Theres no downside to nourishment, and as it fuels every endeavour in your life, its chief among your responsibilities as a menschengerecht being.Get Out of Your Comfort ZoneA ruts formed by treading the same old ground, again and again and again, and once youre in one, it can feel as comfortable as a giant marshmallow bed with buttercream pillows.The comfort and safety in clinging to something familiar is compelling indeed, but if youve outgrown something, or if the thing youre keeping close no longer gives you anything other than the familiar, perhaps its time to let something go.Maybe youve been in the same role or same company for too long. Maybe theres a friendship thats gone stale. Maybe the town youre in, while fam iliar, is just too small for you now.To feel free again, what do you need to let go of?Finally, remember that when youre in a rut, keeping on doing what youve been doing only digs those grooves deeper. So perhaps the most important thing you need to recognize is that staying still, treading water, or waiting to see what happens isnt going to work. When you get right down to it, it comes down to this Do something.