Reaching a career plateau can be disheartening, leading to a stagnant professional life, limited opportunities, and a sense of dissatisfaction. It often sneaks up on us, leaving us wondering if there's more to our careers than what we're currently experiencing. If you find yourself in this situation, fret not! In this article, we will explore ten crucial keys to help you break through your career plateau and reignite your professional journey.
Breaking free from a career plateau requires stepping outside your comfort zone. Embrace new projects, engage in difficult conversations, raise your profile, or even consider transitioning to a different role. The path to growth lies beyond the boundaries of familiarity. By pushing your boundaries and challenging yourself, you'll acquire new skills, expand your network, and open doors to exciting opportunities.
To overcome a career plateau, you must elevate your thinking, actions, attitude, and behaviors. What brought you here may not be sufficient to propel you to the next level. Embrace personal growth and challenge yourself to achieve more. Seek opportunities for professional development, such as attending workshops, pursuing certifications, or seeking mentorship from industry experts. By investing in your own growth and acquiring new skills, you'll become a more valuable asset to your organization and position yourself for advancement. There are so many skills you could pursue, but you can read about some of the top skills for success here.
The way you talk to yourself about your career plays a pivotal role in your progress. Examine your underlying beliefs and ensure they align with your aspirations. Shed self-doubt and replace it with empowering thoughts that support your growth. Practice positive affirmations, visualize your success, and surround yourself with supportive individuals who believe in your potential. By cultivating a positive and empowering internal dialogue, you'll build resilience, overcome obstacles, and foster a mindset conducive to career advancement.
Fear, whether of failure or success, can keep you trapped on a career plateau. Embrace calculated risks and confront your fears head-on. Consider the consequences of staying stagnant, and you'll realize that stepping out is worth it. Take small steps towards your goals, gradually expanding your comfort zone. Celebrate your successes, learn from failures, and remember that growth often occurs outside of your comfort zone. As you confront your fears, you'll gain confidence, resilience, and a sense of empowerment that will propel you forward. It is not uncommon to fear success and it can be difficult to untangle the limiting beliefs that create that fear. With proper guidance though anyone can face their fears or challenge their limiting beliefs learn more about this guidance from Career Coaching Considerations.
As the great philosopher Socrates once said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." Understanding who you truly are is paramount to breaking through your career plateau. Take the time to delve deep into your being and gain insights into your strengths, inspirations, and passions. Identify the activities that ignite your motivation and align with your values. Recognize where you excel and where you bring the most value. Reflect on what energizes you and what drains your energy. Determine what fuels your commitment, passion, and fulfillment.
After this introspective journey, ask yourself a crucial question: "Am I tapping into the best of me in my current work?" It is all too easy to settle for mediocrity when we fail to recognize and utilize our true potential. Are you willing to accept a subpar professional existence, or are you someone who refuses to settle? Embrace Socrates' wisdom and embark on a quest to unlock your full potential, align your work with your authentic self, and pursue a career that brings you fulfillment and satisfaction.
Gaining clarity about what you truly desire is the swiftest path to surpassing your current plateau. Without clarity, confusion and uncertainty will hinder your progress. Define your goals and envision the future you aspire to create. Reflect on your values, passions, and long-term aspirations. Consider where you want to be in the next five years and what steps you need to take to get there. Setting SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound— creates a clairvoyant path to attaining them by breaking them down into actionable steps. By having a clear vision of your desired outcomes, you'll stay focused, motivated, and driven to achieve career success.
Once you have clarity, it's time to set a new goal that aligns with your aspirations. Be specific and answer the question, "What would I really like to be doing?" Claim what you want and take control of your career trajectory. Set ambitious yet attainable goals that stretch your capabilities and push you outside your comfort zone. Break down your larger goals into smaller milestones and create an action plan to track your progress. Regularly review and adjust your goals as necessary. By setting clear goals, you'll have a roadmap for your career advancement and a sense of purpose that fuels your drive.
Think of the famous psychology study which looked at the motivation of rats. Hungry rats would have spring balances attached to their tails. Then the smell of cheese would be released in front of the rats which would cause them to exert a force on the spring. After resetting the experiment, the smell of a cat would be released behind the rats in addition to the smell of cheese in front of them and the rats would pull even harder than before. If you don’t know what you are running toward at least have something to run away from.
Working harder isn't always the solution. As you advance, it becomes crucial to work smarter and consciously allocate your time and energy. Overcoming a career plateau often involves strategic focus centered on your goal rather than increased effort. Identify high-priority tasks and projects that align with your goals. Delegate or eliminate tasks that don't contribute to your growth or align with your strengths. Practice effective time management techniques, such as setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and leveraging productivity tools. By optimizing your time and energy, you'll become more efficient, productive, and better positioned for career advancement.
In more senior roles, carving out time to think and contemplate becomes essential. Your expertise lies in your knowledge, experience, and wisdom, rather than hands-on technical work. Schedule regular breaks and create white space to reflect and strategize. Disconnect from distractions, be it email notifications or excessive meetings. Use this time to think creatively, envision the bigger picture, and plan for the future. Embrace practices such as mindfulness, meditation, or journaling to foster clarity and self-reflection. By incorporating white space into your routine, you'll enhance your decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic thinking abilities.
Acknowledge your worth and authorize yourself to step into your fullest potential. You have unique contributions to offer, and waiting for external validation is unnecessary. Take charge of your career and make things happen. Stop waiting for someone else—a boss, mentor, or partner—to give you permission to take the next step. The only person who can make that decision is you. Embrace self-advocacy, speak up for your needs, and take ownership of your professional growth. By giving yourself permission and embracing your full potential, you'll unlock opportunities, assert yourself as a leader, and propel your career forward.
Breaking through a career plateau requires proactive steps and a mindset shift. By venturing into the unknown, leveling up, facing your fears, and Creating Clairvoyance, you can overcome stagnation and embrace professional growth. Focus your time and energy strategically, create white space for reflection, and give yourself permission to pursue your goals. Remember, the longer you delay taking action, the harder it becomes to navigate toward your ideal role. Start with one key strategy and witness the transformative ripple effect it has on your career. Embrace the journey of self-discovery, continuous learning, and advancement, and you'll find yourself reaching new heights of professional fulfillment and success. This process takes time so be patient with yourself especially if you have never been this intentional in your career before. Always remember to ask for help, this is what career coaches are for. If you don't have a coach or mentor internally through your management that is where an external coach can be your saving grace.
Career Mastery Community
How to get a promotion in less than 90 days and learn the 3 pillars to increase your Salary by 30% or more.
Ready to take your career to the next level?
Learn even more about successfully developing your career without going back to school. Click the button to join Acquired Salary's Career Mastery Mastermind!
Career coaches assess skills and values to align them with suitable career paths. They offer strategic advice on job search activities, including crafting compelling resumes and cover letters. Career coaches can also assist with overcoming workplace challenges and fostering professional development.
If you find yourself feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or uncertain about your career path, a career coach can provide valuable insights and strategies to help you make informed decisions. Whether you're considering a career change, seeking professional growth, or looking to improve your job search techniques, a career coach can be a valuable partner in your journey to success.
The duration of career coaching varies depending on your unique circumstances and objectives. Some clients find value in a few focused sessions, while others choose ongoing support over an extended period. Your career coach will work with you to determine the most suitable timeframe and frequency of sessions to ensure maximum benefit.
There are benefits to both salary and hourly. The benefits of having a salary is the security of steady paychecks and on average salary employees tend to have a higher income than hourly employees.
When you have employees who are getting paid salary they are usually more productive if they are paid right. That is why salary negotiations are much more important. A salary increase plays a crucial role in productivity.
When negotiating salary there are mutliple ways you can be productive. These can include: becoming familiar with your industry, staying positive, practice, and more.