We all get to a point in our careers where we feel a lack of growth or are just comfortable. For some, comfort is very good because they know what to expect, and for others, it can lead to stagnation. But eventually, just being “comfortable” in your career can lead to dissatisfaction. This is not to say that if you are happy in the role, you are not growing, but for some individuals, this can be the case. This article will focus on what to do if you are feeling comfortable in your career and are seeking growth.
Growth doesn’t always mean leaving your company. It can mean taking on new responsibilities if you feel you have the capacity, taking on new professional ventures outside of your day job, like starting a side business that you have always had your eye on, or seeking out new professional development opportunities.
Growth and stagnation can be beneficial to show us that we need to grow, but it is not good if it drags on. This is your opportunity to open the door to conversations with other professionals whom you feel you need to connect with to do some exploration. This is where informational interviews come in. Informational interviews are where you meet with another professional to discuss their experience in a company, organization, or field that may interest you. Personally, I got into Human Resources by asking for my first informational interview at a large telecommunications company I was working at in 2010, which led me to jump-start my career, when my entry role was feeling stagnant.
When you are feeling stagnant, here are a few areas you can explore to upgrade your career:
Comfort vs. alignment – Are your personal values in line with what you want in your career? Are you staying because of predictability? Make sure that if you do move on to the next role, it is aligned with your values.
When growth stops, confidence often leaves gradually after that – Ask yourself how confident am I feeling in my role, life, or career?
Financial impacts – When you don’t stretch yourself professionally, you often miss out on new opportunities, which can affect your earnings. What you want to typically see is an increase in your earnings. However, this may not always be the case, as sometimes we do career pivots that bring us to roles that may align with our values but do pay less.
The main thing is to ensure that you are not limiting yourself due to loyalty, knowing that you need to stretch (even when things aren’t bad) and not doing something about it. Take the time and look around the job market before making any leaps, make a plan, and strategically find your next endeavour.
Jennifer Bouley is a Career Development Practitioner located in St Stephen. She has a passion for helping others find wellness in their careers, while finding fulfilling jobs. Jennifer can be reached at blissplusyou@gmail.com.
