How to get unstuck

9 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 23,2023 at 2:33AM UTC

   First off, you are not a loser and I won't allow you to talk to yourself like that!

   You're simply in a temporary "funk" which is normal and commonly felt so please don't feel alone in experiencing this.

   When one does experience this it is a call to action to reflect on what is theyre doing now and how it compares to what it is they TRULY want to do. As in, to reflect and discern what it IS that they want to pursue. So what is it that you truly want to do career wise? Dont tell me! Write it down and from there ask yourself what steps do you need to take to meet it and create the steps needed to take in order to accomplish it. This now creates a goal for you to pursue which can help give you your enthusiam back.

   Do you also have hobbies? if so, are you actively participating in them? If not, why did you stop and how can you get back into them or cultivate new ones that speak to you? Again, you don't need to share them with me. These are questions to ask yourself and write your answers down to review, reflect on, and act on.

   Also, think about volunteering for a cause that speaks to you. There are volunteer websites that promote remote-based opportunities and this is currently helping me get over my temporary depression caused by my recent unemployment.

   I hope these suggestions help and that you remind yourself that you are NOT a loser for having a normal and commonly felt experience that we all do when going through our phases of growth.

   Please let us know how it goes for you with an update in the next month or so. Im rooting for you!

2. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 23,2023 at 6:49AM UTC

   Being your own boss is one of those things that sounds good. But please think about what it actually entails.

   When you are your own boss, YOU are responsible for business development/sales. For bringing in business and/or new clients. Unless you have a decent marketing budget, it can be difficult. And unless you get lucky right off the bat, it can take a long time to really start making money.

   If you are depressed, please get yourself some help. There are places that charge on a sliding scale of ability to pay if you don't have insurance.

   You are not a loser.

3. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 5:14PM UTC

   Are there aspects of your job that you enjoy? If so, write those down and do searches for jobs/positions that lean into those skills. If you are bored in your position, but like your company, ask your boss if there are opportunities to expand your role. If you don't want something that official, ask a coworker if they have any projects they would like help with. If they do, and you don't have the exact skillset, teach yourself (don't rely on them to teach you) so you can help. Doing stuff like this will help you figure out other things that you like and don't like and will help you figure out your next step.

   Those are some things that you can do at work. In regards to your personal life, anonymous had some great advice about how to get out of a funk there. I recommend focusing on work or your personal life initially. Just pick one since it takes a lot of energy to make changes in both at the same time. Once you start getting fulfilled in one, you will become happier and can start to focus on the other.

   Good luck! :)

4. AnonymousFebruary 25,2023 at 6:29PM UTC

   Sounds like you need some help, try therapy or see if your current company has an EAP - Employee Assistance Program. That is usually bundled with your benefits and can often get you either back on track or talking to someone who can refer you to others who can help. Perhaps solving the personal things will alleviate how you are feeling emotionally and then you can focus on changing the work situation with the guidance of a career coach or mentor. Find someone that you admire and seek out their help to aid in directionalizing your next move. You could take some aptitude tests as well which can show you where you excel and what your strengths are that you can focus on. There is a community here and surely others to speak about the depression, that is serious and can have far reaching impact on you if you don't work through that. Help is there for you, I know it.

5. AnonymousFebruary 25,2023 at 10:22PM UTC

   You are not your job. You are a person first. And people are complex, evolving creatures. It's tragic in so many ways we need money to live and get trapped in job situations that eat away at our souls. I realize this is a heavy comment, but these are BIG issues. You need a break. You need to find your talents and passions. And you may not be able to earn a living pursuing them right away, or ever, but they are still important. You can take a job for money and still pursue your dreams. Not all jobs are careers, and that's OK. You can work to fund the things you need and still work towards the things that matter. Best of luck on your journey of discovery, the trip and destination could be amazing.

6. AyianFebruary 26,2023 at 2:39PM UTC

   Working for yourself is always financially risky in the beginning. Everyone I know who has done it never regretted it. Rediscovering what you're passionate about can point you towards what you can excel at in life.

7. Holly NunnallyFebruary 26,2023 at 3:56PM UTC

   This was me for so many years. I was lost, in career limbo, unhappy, stuck, etc. and I had no idea how to move out of that headspace. Then I found Ken Coleman.

   Go to YouTube and look up Ken Coleman. He has videos about how to find your passion. There is also a book but you really don't need it. I followed what he said and it really helped me narrow down on what kind of work would make me happy. I am currently pursuing my passion while still holding down my normal job, but I know that eventually I will be in a place to make a full transition.

8. AnonymousFebruary 27,2023 at 12:42AM UTC

   I worked in a specialized position that evolved and grew over the years. I wanted to leave my organization, because there were no other opportunities or room for growth. I applied for positions with some similarities and I had some great interviews, but no offers. Finally, I began applying for positions that were different and finally I received a job offer with a great company. I’ve been in my new position for one month and I am in my early 60’s.

   Don’t give up, because your background in risk management can lead to other positions. You might want to apply for positions “within a specific zip code radius” instead of by skill or title. This will definitely open up the range of different opportunities within your target area. Going into business for yourself would probably have to start with consulting. Good luck!

9. AnonymousFebruary 27,2023 at 2:47PM UTC

   First off, you're not a loser and the best thing you can do is stop repeating that phrase to yourself. I'm not a u-rah-rah kind of person but negative self-talk is one thing that I know (personal experience here) can defeat you before you even start. Are there any positions at your current company that you would like to learn more about? If so, is it possible to set up shadow sessions to get a feel for them? Another avenue might be looking at places like LinkedIn learning to test some skills set areas and see if they spark your interest. I think many of us over the last few years have felt this way and it is Really hard to get out of that place. You are not alone.