When You’re in a Career Funk, Go for the Quick Win
Unhappiness with your work life is the perfect breeding ground for inertia. It’s scary to make change. With so many unknowns, and so much beyond your control, it might feel safer to settle in on the couch, or in that job you’d love to quit. And the thing about inertia is that it feeds on itself. If days or weeks are passing by, and you’re feeling overwhelmed and inactive, it’s time to go for the QUICK WIN. Put aside the big, amorphous career change goals for the moment and take a baby step. I’m going to lay out 7 options, some directly linked to career change, but others completely unrelated. Here’s the best part – of these 7 easy ways for breaking out of a career funk, you only have to choose ONE – but commit to doing it TODAY:
1. QUIET YOUR MIND
I find it nearly impossible to sit still with intention. But when I know it’s only for a short period of time, I’m able to begin to relax my mind. The benefits are immediate. If you’re not experienced in mindful meditation (or haven’t done it for awhile), try meditating for just 5 minutes. Use a timer or find an app to guide you. Set a limit. And if that goes well, meditate again tomorrow.
2. REACH OUT
Schedule a coffee date with one friend with the intention of sharing your career frustrations and dreams. Pay attention to how it feels to tell your story.
3. REACH OUT #2
Schedule a coffee date with an acquaintance beyond your close-knit circle of friends, to share your career frustrations and dreams. Get their input.
4. DECLUTTER
Clean off your desk – or whatever surface in your home you stack your paperwork.
5. TUNE UP
For a month, I’ve been meaning to call an electrician to repair a shorted light switch. It’s one of those items that keeps getting recycled on my to-do list. If you’ve been procrastinating about a car or home repair or maybe getting your teeth cleaned, make that appointment today. It will be surprisingly satisfying, and might even light the way.
6. MOVE YOUR BODY
Commit to some form of sustained physical activity today that takes at least 10 minutes. Don’t let your expired gym membership stop you.
7. MAKE A LIST
When I’m stuck on a writing assignment and staring too long at a blank page, my best way out is making a list. Jotting down bullet points doesn’t take much creative power, and it gets the ideas flowing. For this option, dust off your resume and take a look at it. For now, I’m not asking you to make revisions. First, make a list of what items need to be revised or updated.
After completing your one breaking out of a career funk option, soak in the win. You set out to do something and you did it! (Size does not matter here.) And when you’re ready to take the next step, check out my 6-day plan with exercises specifically targeted to finding and loving your next career. Click below for the free download:
