Feeling Stuck

A former colleague asked me what I do when my career feels stuck. He obviously wasn’t asking for advice. He was asking for a job. So I didn’t give him this answer:

1. I remind myself that all growth comes from the right balance of challenge and support. Too much challenge and not enough support, I burn out. Too much support and not enough challenge, I nap… the long drooly kind.

2. I enlist someone I trust to coach me with my blind spots-- i.e., where my imbalances lie. If I’m light on challenge, I look for more complex work, not just more work. If I’m light on support, I ask for help -- with no shame.

3. I persist.

That last bit is important because I’m wary of Martin Fowler’s oft-quoted “change your org or change your org.” It reminds me of comedians who “work the crowd” by asking audience members what they do for a living. Many times the answer is “nothing” -- to which the comic usually replies “how do you know when to stop?”

So... we should persist. But how do we know when to stop?

I think its like art; you'll know it when you see it.

Not artsy? Tap someone you trust (like #2 above).

Once you're there though, call a former colleague and ask them what they do when their career feels stuck. And hope that they understand. 

#NotAdvice #MyProcess