Stuck in a rut? Unhappy at your present job? Then deciding and knowing your options will help.
Even the best job can sometimes make one feel insignificant, or stuck in a rut. To climb out of this situation means you must first assess the situation - honestly. It may not be the job, it may be you, or even a combination of the two.
Assess The Situation
Honestly ask yourself about how you feel overall about your work - the environment, the commute, the workload, the co-workers and bosses. Has this situation just recently become a problem? Is it just recently you find yourself dragging into work? Or has this been quietly building over time? Has this happened before? Have there been recent changes to the work environment that may have caused your unhappy feelings?
You may find this is a situation that occasionally happens (it does to most people - even those in their dream jobs!). Or you may feel this has been building up for awhile. Write down your feelings and assessments - with actual details. For example - if you now really hate going into the office but find the work okay once you get going, it could be the commute that is the killer for you.
Know Your Options
If you do decide that this career or job is no longer for you - what can you do about it? Investigate other opportunities - starting with your present job environment. The people there know you already, and it is much easier to work in another area of your present place of employment than trying to find a new environment. You may have reached burn-out in your present job responsibilities, or you may be up to a new challenge. See what's available in your existing territory first.
If there's nothing available, or the situation IS the present job environment, check out job opportunities for your kind of work. Check on job sites on the web to see if there is much call for your line of work, or check the local newspapers. Or consider taking some courses to upgrade yourself. Again - check with your present employer to see if they would cover these kind of costs and then help you use those new-found skills/knowledge. Consider talking to an employment agency to see what kind of work is available, or consider investing in a Career Coach/Mentor.
If you feel the situation is so bad, you might have to quit to regain your sanity - check out your local unemployment rules to see what you would quality for in financial aid. Would it be enough to cover you if you are unable to find work within a given period of time? Do you have other resources to help you?
It Is Your Decision
Sometimes, just knowing your options is enough to give you empowerment - and that will help you to feel better about yourself, and your present job.
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Copyright May 12, 2008. Paym Bergson and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use of this material will constitute an infringement of copyright.
