Hitting the halfway mark in your career can often feel like you’ve accidentally wandered into a maze, where every turn leads you back to the same spot – the notorious mid-career plateau. It’s that stage where the initial climb feels like a distant memory, and the peak seems obscured by clouds of uncertainty. It’s important for you to know that you’re not alone in this boat, and there are options available. Navigating this maze doesn’t require a magical compass, but rather, a series of well-thought-out moves. Grab a cup of your favorite brew and let’s think about this together.
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Embrace The Lull
First things first, recognize that feeling stuck isn’t synonymous with failure. Those two things are worlds apart. It’s more like your career’s way of asking for a pit stop; a moment to refuel and reassess. Embrace this lull. Use it as an opportunity to reflect on what truly motivates you, beyond titles and paychecks. Sometimes, the greatest insights come not from relentless hustle but from quiet introspection. Think of it as a moment to lay down operational decision-making for strategic thinking. Getting a clear idea of what the bird’s eye view of your career is, is essential for getting out of a rut.
Chart New Territories
Once you’ve made peace with the plateau and thought about the bigger picture, it’s time to chart new territories. No, you don’t need to quit your job and move to Bali (unless you want to, of course). We’d recommend you start by seeking out new responsibilities within your current role. Volunteer for projects that scare you just a bit. Growth often lurks at the edges of our comfort zones. Yes, it will be stressful at times, yes, it will stretch you, and yes, you will be a better version of yourself because of it.
Seek Wisdom In Unlikely Places
In the quest for personal and professional development, straightforward steps to strengthen a person’s inner wisdom can often be found in unlikely places. Consider, for example, joining a community garden or a local improv class. Diverse experiences enrich your perspective, making you more adaptable and creative in problem-solving. The lessons learned at the University of Life are often loaded with practical wisdom and real-life impact. So pay attention in class.
Turn Mentors Into Allies
While you’re exploring the uncharted waters of your career and life in general, why not bring a fellow navigator on board? Try to find a mentor who has weathered their own career plateaus in the past. As we said at the start, you are far from the only person in life to experience a plateau. Their insights can be like a lighthouse guiding you through foggy seas. Remember, mentorship is not a one-way street; it’s a dynamic relationship that benefits both parties. Finding the right mentor for your development can be a difficult one to get right, but with some dedication and effort you can benefit greatly from having a mentor.
Upgrade Your Toolkit
This might sound like a no-brainer, but updating your skills is like sharpening your sword before a battle. Whether it’s a new software relevant to your field or a soft skill like leadership or negotiation, continuous learning ensures you remain competitive and versatile. People who hit plateaus often fall into a learning comfort zone and then become complacent. Trying to effectively solve modern problems with traditional tools can sometimes be more challenging than people realize. Change is the only constant, so staying up to date with the world around you is vital for survival, never mind success.
Network With Purpose
If you network, then at least do it with some intent and purpose. Going to events to expand your network with an attitude of “I don’t really want to be here” will get you nowhere. Networking doesn’t have to be a soul-sucking endeavor of collecting business cards. Instead, focus on building genuine connections with people whose careers or life philosophies inspire you. Remember, a strong network is not measured by the number of contacts in your phone but by the quality of those connections. You’d be better off making one legitimate connection per networking event than meeting twenty people where there is no authentic connection.
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Cultivate A Side Hustle
Sometimes, the antidote to a career plateau is exploring a passion project or side hustle. This doesn’t mean you have to launch the next tech startup. It could be as simple as starting a blog or offering consulting services to friends and family. The goal is to reignite your passion and perhaps discover new career avenues. The key here is to pick something you truly enjoy, something that doesn’t feel like work.
Realign Your Compass
Take a moment to reassess your career goals. Are they the same as they were five years ago? It’s okay if they’ve changed. In fact, it’s natural. Realigning your career compass to reflect your current values and aspirations can provide a renewed sense of direction.
Practice Resilience
Now, this one is not as easy as it may sound. Navigating a mid-career plateau requires resilience, but digging deep and challenging yourself to simply be better can be extremely difficult. The key is to focus on having more good days than bad days. Days where you can muster the energy to challenge yourself. There will be days when motivation is as elusive as a sunny day in London. On those days, remind yourself of your achievements and the obstacles you’ve overcome. Resilience is not about never falling; it’s about learning to get back up.
Reflect And Journal
Finally, make reflection a regular part of your routine. Have you ever felt like your feelings are all jumbled up together in your head, and you can’t really make sense of how you feel? Then journaling is a great tool for you to consider. Journaling about your daily experiences, challenges, and wins can provide clarity and a sense of progress. It’s also a powerful tool for self-discovery, helping you to identify patterns and preferences you might not have been aware of.
Navigating a mid-career plateau is less about finding a quick way out and more about exploring the breadth of your potential. It’s an invitation to dive deeper into what makes you tick, professionally and personally. By embracing this phase with curiosity and courage, you’ll find that it’s not a dead-end but a crossroads, offering multiple paths to fulfillment and growth.