If Monday mornings leave you feeling a bit “meh,” it may be that you’re stuck in a work rut. You don’t hate your job, but you can’t help feeling that there must be something better out there.
Being stuck in a career rut isn't fulfilling. But the comfort of the familiar can be just as powerful as the pull towards change.
Over time, inertia can set in. And when that happens, even the smallest step toward something new can feel daunting.
Sometimes we’re not even sure what’s wrong. Other times, we know exactly what’s missing but can’t seem to shift.
So how can you help yourself move forward?
If you’re not sure exactly what’s wrong….
Start by paying closer attention to your working day. Over the next 2 - 3 weeks, make notes of when you feel most energised and when you feel drained. Patterns will start to emerge.
Ask yourself what you would like more of in your role. Is it more autonomy, more creativity, more chance to work across different teams?
Similarly, ask yourself what you would like less of. Repetitiveness, isolation, a particular task? Sometimes this is the easiest question to answer, so you can start here, but make sure you look for positive reasons to change as well as avoiding negative ones.
Figure out your strengths and transferable skills. You may be pretty clear on these already, but in my experience, we all have our blind spots. Take a test such as StrengthsFinder, StrengthsScope or VIA, or ask colleagues and friends how they would describe you. Remember that strengths are what you are both good at and enjoy doing.
Whereas I believe very few people have one focused purpose that they live out in their careers, it is worth thinking about what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning and what’s important to you. It may not help pinpoint your perfect role, but it will narrow down the choices. For example, if you are passionate about saving the planet, you won’t want to work for a major oil company. Likewise, if your primary focus is caring for others, a role working with members of the public, where you can be hands-on, could be rewarding.
Once you’ve gathered your insights, look for the themes. The answer might not require a complete career change - sometimes, small adjustments to your current role can make a big difference. For some ideas on what that could look like, see one of my previous blogs.
It can be tricky to do this exercise on your own without any support. Download my Career Planning exercises template to get some more pointers, or get in touch to see how a coaching programme with me can help you to get clarity.
If you know where you want to get to but something is stopping you…
… then identify why you’re not moving forward.
If it's because you don’t know how to get there, then start by talking to people who are already in the kind of role you want. They might be in your network, or just an introduction away. Research the field, attend networking events, or explore professional groups online.
If it’s because you don’t know whether it truly would be better or not, then you have three options.
Ask people in that role about their day-to-day reality.
For some career changes, you may be able to do a bit of an experiment. Depending on your desired outcome, it may be a temporary move to another team or project, a secondment, a side-hustle, a sabbatical, shadowing, volunteering, or some training.
Bite the bullet and go for it! Most career moves aren’t irreversible. With an internal move or change to working pattern, you can easily revert to your previous position. If you are looking outside your organisation, the act of speaking to recruiters and applying for roles will give you more information as you go along, and you can pull out at any point.
If it's because you doubt your ability to succeed, then examine any limiting beliefs you have. This is where your Inner Critic steps in—the voice that says, “You can’t.” Pause and really listen: what’s it trying to protect you from? What assumptions are you making that keep this belief in place? Often, these beliefs aren’t grounded in fact. Overcoming limiting beliefs takes practice. You can work through some of the exercises in my guide to overcoming negative thought patterns or work with me. I can help you challenge what’s true, reframe your perspective, and build new beliefs that empower you.
Getting clear on what you want and how to reach it is the first step to climbing out of a work rut. You don’t have to make the leap all at once; sometimes, the smallest shifts can reignite your motivation and sense of purpose.
When we work together, I bring a different lens to your career journey - helping you see possibilities you may have overlooked, focus on the right next step, and regain your confidence.
Start today, and you might just be surprised at where you are six months from now.