What do you do if you're a mid-career professional feeling stuck in your career?

I conduct a mini-workshop and one-on-ones on job crafting. This is a pause for a couple hours (or days) to assess your set of values, strengths, interests and align it to your daily tasks, people you work with and what gives you a sense of purpose. With how dynamic and volatile the world of work is these days, I do this every month. It helps reset and get me unstuck so that I may continue to move towards my highest good.

Understand what you can and cannot do. For example rarely can someone just quit their job or start completely over making way less money. But some can. It takes an internal audit, possibly even working with a coach as you work through your mindset shifts, to do to this

When you're feeling stuck in your career, it's really important to take the time to truly assess the underlying 'WHY'. What's causing these feelings, and what is it you really want - and don't want (!) from your career. And don't forget to look at other factors such as lifestyle, relationships, health etc to see how they're contributing to your 'stuckness' - after all, life isn't one-dimensional. I often find that clients can often feel stuck but haven't created a habit of thinking about what they really want (they might have spent years or decades doing what someone else expected of them). So, working through this with a coach or mentor can be very helpful in terms of shaping an action plan.

If you're feeling stuck in your mid-career, start by assessing your reality. Look at your current role, accomplishments, and what's making you feel stagnant. Take time with this. Ask yourself if you're craving new challenges, more responsibility, or a different career path. This self-assessment is the first step in creating an action plan to move forward. For me, this approach changed everything. I realised I could stay where I was until retirement. So I walked away, did a No Spend Year, pivoted, wrote a book, retrained and here I am. the happiest I've ever been. This works!

Absolutely, setting clear and actionable goals is crucial for career advancement. By adhering to the SMART framework, you can ensure your goals are well-defined and within reach, thereby enhancing your focus and productivity in achieving your career objectives.

Assess your current skills and interests, and identify areas for growth or specialization within cloud technologies. Network actively within your industry to gain new perspectives and opportunities. Consider seeking mentorship or professional coaching to guide your career path forward.

Once I understood my situation, setting clear, achievable goals was essential. I started small, setting short-term objectives that led to my larger aspirations. For instance, I aimed to complete a certification course within six months to enhance my skills. These goals gave me direction and renewed purpose.

Goals are where it's at. They are your north star and keep you on track. However, it's the system or habit that needs to work on a daily basis that makes it actually happen. Spectacular things come from unspectacular actions over time.

Once you identified the shifts in your workplace that have impacted your satisfaction and left you feeling stuck, it's crucial to set goals to create the change you want to see. The key here is to align these goals with your own needs and aspirations, not just the career path laid out by your employer. By focusing on what truly matters to you, you can reclaim your sense of fulfillment and purpose in your career.

To break free from career stagnation, I've discovered the power of setting specific goals and diving into continuous learning and unlearning. Seeking mentoring is instrumental, providing invaluable guidance and perspective that accelerates growth and propels towards new career heights.

Before you seek a mentor, think about the things you want to accomplish and what it is that has you feeling stagnant. Take note of the challenges your facing, the skills you wish to gain, the type of work you want to do or growth you are seeking. Align the mentorships you request with people who have exposure to these things, have a strong reputation for being experts in these areas and/or are working through similar challenges. Some of my most valuable lessons have come from my peer-mentors who are in some of the same situations.

Or start mentoring! It can be very satisfying to start giving your knowledge to more junior colleagues. You may even rethink your work and your work attitude and habits on a new level and find more joy in it. Reflect yourself and check your believes: Is there someone you could support and you would like to help?

If you're a mid-career professional feeling stuck in your career, seeking mentoring can be a powerful strategy. Look for mentors who have expertise in your field or have navigated similar career challenges successfully. They can provide valuable guidance, share their experiences, and offer perspective on possible career paths or development opportunities you may not have considered. Mentoring relationships can also provide encouragement and support, helping you regain motivation and clarity in your career journey. Additionally, mentors can help you set achievable goals and develop strategies to overcome obstacles, empowering you to make informed decisions about your career progression.

The power of mentoring can dramatically transform the trajectory of your career, especially as a mid-career professional. You see mentors provide invaluable guidance, share their experiences, and open doors to opportunities and connections that you might not otherwise have access otherwise. Moreover, a mentor helps you clarify your goals, ask you the tough questions, and push you to envision a greater future for yourself. So, by embracing mentorship you can unlock new paths and elevate your career to new heights.

Learning and leaning into your own unique strengths can help improve the quality of your life today. Once you have a better understanding of where and why you excel, you can start to apply these strengths throughout your day. It is incredibly empowering and will get you moving forward even if you are not happy or feeling stuck in your current career. Integrating your strengths will begin to make you feel like you do make a difference. This is a great place to start. As you begin to master your strengths, you can begin to assess where you need to go next.

For those aspiring to advance in technology and data science careers, continuous learning through formal education, online courses, or self-study is essential. This approach helps in staying updated with evolving technologies, enhancing problem-solving abilities, and increasing employability in a competitive job market.

Take every opportunity to learn. Volunteer to be part of (or lead) project groups, continuous improvement initiatives, etc., take part in work shadowing activities, secondment opportunities, etc. Reflect on every interaction and learn something new about yourself or others from every conversation.

Actively networking can open new doors: • Reconnect with past colleagues: Reach out to former coworkers and supervisors. • Attend industry events: Participate in conferences, webinars, and workshops. • Join professional groups: Engage with industry-specific associations or online communities. • Leverage social media: Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals and join relevant discussions. • Seek mentorship: Find a mentor who can provide guidance and support. • Offer help: Assist others in your network to build reciprocal relationships. Active networking can introduce new opportunities and insights to revitalise your career path.

Building a strong professional network is crucial. I started attending industry events and joining relevant online groups. These interactions opened doors to new opportunities and ideas. I learned a lot from peers and made connections that eventually led to career advancements.

Connect with professionals outside of your immediate work environment. Join industry groups or online communities. Reach out to people in roles or fields you’re interested in to learn more about their experiences and opportunities.

Take a break! Spend time with loved ones, learn a new skill, read a book, play some games, travel, sleep, eat, do nothing, repeat. Takes courage to do this. But trust me, it helps.

This is where the biggest decision lies: stay put and feel stuck, or embrace change, pursue meaningful work, and take the risk. You see, change can be one of the hardest things to embrace. When working with clients to clarify their career values and goals, many realize for the first time that the path they are on is not the one they truly desire. Often, this revelation necessitates a significant career change. While each person's journey is unique, I hope everyone chooses a career that leverages their strengths and provides the fulfillment they seek. Pursuing meaningful work can lead to more opportunities, greater passion, and a more satisfying and rewarding professional life.

Change can be daunting, but it’s necessary for growth. I decided to pivot slightly within my field, exploring roles that aligned more with my passions and strengths. This shift was initially scary, but it reinvigorated my career. Embracing change requires courage but can lead to fulfilling new paths.

Change can be unsettling for most. Especially when it comes to the second half, which often times is defined by changes such as: -Aging or even dying parents -Empty nesting -Mid-Life career change So how does one manage so much change? First, like a riptide, go with it, don’t fight it. Two, change your perspective that things shouldn’t change to things will change. I recommend you look at life as chapters. They have a beginning, middle and end. It’s okay for chapters to end. The exciting part? A new chapter will begin, and YOU have some influence of what that chapter will be. So it is with a new second-half career. What do you love? What are you best at? Go and do that! What an opportunity to embrace midlife career change.

Change is inevitable.. nothing is forever and that is a good thing. We are meant to evolve. We change and so does the world around us. Keep a positive mindset, keep your eyes open to opportunities and possibilities. Remember, luck appears at the intersection of preparedness and opportunity. Be ready to embrace it when it presents itself!

I was told that a setback is a setup for a comeback. Normally, we may feel stuck sometimes regardless of what phase we are in our career or life. If there's one thing, I've learned the hard way is to always create options in life by constantly seeking new ways to do things or to upgrade your skills and mindsets, which will give you leverage and confidence in everything you do. In today's business world, it's normal that you can find yourself having more than just one full-time career. It might be beneficial to see yourself succeeding in different arenas, creating more than one source of income, and pursuing various interests in life.

Don’t underestimate the power of self-care. Feeling stuck can take a toll on your mental health. I made sure to prioritize activities that rejuvenated me, like exercising and spending time with loved ones. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance helped me stay resilient during this transitional phase. If this resonates with you, follow my profile for more insights on navigating career challenges and achieving professional growth. Let’s support each other through our career journeys! 🚀 #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #Mentorship #CareerChange #Networking