How to break out of a career rut

Why do so many of us find ourselves miserable and paralysed by our careers when we know we should be doing something to get unstuck? What can we do about it?

For some people, fear is what keeps us tied to an unhappy job.

Take 'Annie' as an example. She had fallen into accountancy after university, worked hard to get qualified, earned a comfortable salary and had been bored for years in the same job at the same firm. She felt she was in a rut… a comfortable rut that paid fairly well and was secure.

When she came to coaching, she felt very stuck and didn't know what she wanted to do. The biggest fear was standing still for long enough to explore what she really wanted.

Maybe it's a fear of emptiness - that if we look inside ourselves, we won't find a life purpose, a career purpose, or whatever it is that makes getting out of bed in the morning worthwhile.

So where might we draw the strength from to work through this fear of emptiness?

The following exercises can help you reflect on what's important to you and begin moving forward.

1. Allow yourself time to discover what's important

Think about what you want, rather than what you should be doing.

There's no pressure to act on your thoughts or make big changes. Simply allow yourself to become more aware of what's important to you.

2. Read biographies of people you admire

As you read, think about what resonates with you - their values, their approach to adversity and their definition of success.

Ask yourself:

• What does this mean for me?
• What values do I share with them?
• What does their journey tell me about what's important in my own life?

3. Complete the wheel of life exercise

The Wheel of Life can help you consider what's important in each area of your life, recognise your achievements and appreciate what has mattered most to you.

4. Describe your career to date

Use Post-it notes if it helps - one note for each achievement, project or experience you've enjoyed.

When you have 30 or more, choose the 10 that you would find most difficult to give up.

Then ask yourself:

• What do these 10 things tell me about what's important to me?
• What would I find easy to give up?
• What does that say about the work I really value?

5. Imagine you were 16 again

With the benefit of everything you've experienced, what might you choose differently?

What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?

6. Make time for reflection

Keep a private journal for all of these reflections, thoughts, feelings and dreams.

Let it evolve and notice the themes that keep appearing.

Often, those themes begin to reveal your values and what you want from your career.

7. Consider working with a career coach

Career coaching aims to help you understand what you want from your working life, identify your strengths and explore how you can move towards a more fulfilling career.

A career coach can support you through those first steps, helping you build confidence and clarity as you move forward.

If you're feeling stuck in your career, taking the time to reflect on what's truly important could be the first step towards creating a working life that's right for you.