5 Career Ruts Everyone Gets Into at Some Point - The Muse

5 Career Ruts Everyone Gets Into at Some Point - The Muse5 Career Ruts Everyone Gets Into at Some PointBeing stuck in a rut sucks. If theres one thing I could wish for you, its that you never have to deal with a situation that holds you back from being happy, successful, or fulfilled.That, unfortunately, is an unrealistic wish (even mora unrealistic than wishing I could turn everything I touch into chocolate). Because like failure, ruts are inevitable. And the good news about that not-so-fun fact is that they ultimately help make us stronger, smarter, and more successful individuals.Just look at a few people in your life who you admire- how many of them went through a struggle that forced them to reevaluate their goals or path? Since Im someone who doesnt love surprises (except the birthday kind), Im going to tell you right now exactly which ruts youll find yourself in throughout your career. 1. Being BoredNo matter how much you love your job, how many hours you work, or how large th e pile of to-dos is on your desk, there will come a time when you will find yourself suddenly underwhelmed, unmotivated, or unstimulated at your job for days on end. It could be for a number of reasons. Maybe your boss has stopped challenging you. Or, maybe youre making the mistake of not seeking out challenges, or looking for exciting projects. Or, maybe youve found yourself in a new role that isnt as exciting as you thought it would be.Whatever the reason, boredom is usually pretty fixable. You can ask your boss for better projects, or see if you can chip in on what other teams are working on, or find ways to keep learning, like taking online classes or attending conferences related to your industry. If that still leaves you no better than you were before, it may be time to move on and find a role thats more engaging.2. Feeling UnhappyUnhappiness is a more serious sign to keep an eye on. Why is it so much more common than we realize? Because for one, were fickle beings- were alway s changing our minds and shifting our priorities. Which means the things we want in our careers now may change one, two, five years from now. Thats OKThe other reason is because sometimes were really bad at recognizing when were miserable. Well place the blame on other things (woke up on the wrong side of the bed, had a bad commute, a crazy boss) rather than accept that something bigger is affecting us.Figure out what is making you unhappy and use that information to decide what your next steps will be.Maybe it means transferring roles internally, changing companies, or switching industries entirely. Or maybe its even more simple than that. Maybe its talking to your boss about an overwhelming workload. Or asking your co-worker to stop talking to you when youre working at your desk. Whatever the cause, take the time to identify it and start making moves to solve it.3. Doubting Your Career PathUnless youre very lucky, you wont find yourself satisfied in the same role in the same indus try throughout your entire career. Dont beat yourself up if youre unsure about what you want to do next- even if youve spent 10 years in your role and are now doubting everything. The good news is that its never too late to make a change, whatever that means for you. The even better news is that you dont have to have it all figured out when youre 30, 40, 50. As Benjamin Franklin said, When you are finished changing, youre finished. Dont be finished.4. Feeling Like Nothings Going RightEver have those months when nothings going right? You keep messing up basic tasks, your manager keeps sending your work back with heavy revisions, your co-workers keep shutting down your ideas?It could be your fault- if youre job searching, for example, and getting nowhere, it might be worth reconsidering youre approach. But it could also be due to external forces, like a company restructuring or a bad boss. If so, its worth figuring out whether these can be fixed, and if not, what steps you can take to better tischset yourself up for success.5. Having to Deal With a (Big) ChangeYour company just went through a huge merger, half your department got laid off, you got laid off, they brought in a new boss, or oyouve moved to an entirely new city for a job.One day, something major will happen that will shake up how you do things and think about your career. While its practically impossible to prepare for something like this, remember that its common. And, that its salvageable. And, that the feelings of loss and doubt and frustration and sadness wont last forever. And, that youll come out stronger and more equipped to handle anything that comes your way. If you dont believe me, read this.The last thing I want to emphasize is that its easy to feel alone when youre in these ruts, or that no one understands what youre going through. But I can confidently tell you that everyone experiences these. Why else would I write this article? So, dont be afraid to admit when youre in one- if you don t, youll regret not making a change sooner.