It’s your first day on the job. You laid your outfit out the night before, making sure everything was perfectly pressed. You arrive ten minutes early, eager to start the day. You take your place and dive in. When starting a new professional position, there is a freshness and excitement that infuse everything you do. As the days turn to weeks turn to years, that enthusiasm begins to fade. Ten years in, the scene is much different. You arrive at work on autopilot—wade through email, suffer through meetings, punch the clock, go home. The work feels perfunctory and monotonous. You don’t sense the challenge or creativity that once typified your days. You’ve been in your job for years. Your initial energy has waned and retirement still feels eons away. Longevity in a career or institution is something to be proud of, but can lead to a case of the workplace doldrums. If you are struggling with boredom, frustration, or aimlessness, it can be a challenge to shift your perspective and regain momentum. Here are some ideas of strategies to get you out of your rut:
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Inventory. Your understanding of the present should always be rooted in a knowledge of where you’ve come from and where you are headed. Spend some time journaling on the career progress you’ve made, milestones you’ve hit, and proficiencies gained. Set goals for what you’d like to accomplish in the future. Understanding a broader perspective gives focus and meaning to your work.
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Retool. Spend a week logging how much time you spend doing various tasks. You may be surprised at the percentages when the week is over. Consider the various tasks you do and consult with your supervisor or associates to see if there is any opportunity to begin to shift your role to include more of what you enjoy, or even launch in a new direction.
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Write. Your experience has given you valuable insight that you can share with others. Think about lessons you’ve learned and what wisdom you have to communicate. Based on the message you would like to deliver, consider the best medium. Perhaps you want to write an article that you could pitch to a trade publication. If more depth or breadth suit your subject, consider starting a blog.
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Mentor. You wouldn’t be where you are in your career if it wasn’t for the investment of others. Now that you’re more established in your career, begin to pay it forward to the next wave of professionals. Share your experience with a young professional by taking on an intern or joining a mentorship program. Through explaining the ins-and-outs of your field you will not only help them, but be reminded of why you loved it in the first place. Who knows, maybe some of their wide-eyed enthusiasm will rub off on you as well.
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Network. Taking time away from your regular routines and coworkers for networking can keep things fresh while strengthening your network. Reach out to connections within and out of your field. By remembering the broader scope of your industry, you’ll have renewed awareness of your place in the landscape. Be strategic about who you network with: surround yourself with individuals who are passionate and progressive, innovating and reimagining your industry. Just as integral is connecting with others outside your field. Industries can be insular. By interacting with professionals from diverse careers, you will avoid the myopia that can easily creep in. Networking is vital to a thriving career at any stage. Too many people make the mistake of leaving networking to when they need a new job. By then, it’s already too late. Networking requires ongoing effort and investment. This does not need to be an added chore, but can add energy and texture to your professional life. It will benefit you in the present, and when it’s time for your next job change.
Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard reflected, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” In midcareer it can be valuable to reverse-engineer your career. Think of what you want your career to look like from your retirement party and work backwards from there. With the proper perspective and some intentional exercises, you can set the stage for continued growth, contribution, and satisfaction.
