We've all been there - its 3am and your brain's in overdrive....
It can't be work again tomorrow....why am I not asleep?
How am I going to make it to Friday? Why can't I just be happy at work? I used to love it....maybe I just need to try a bit harder?
Photo by Isabella and Zsa Fischer on Unsplash
Maybe it is me? Maybe I should do something different? But what? And how?
No...this is all I've ever done. Who else would employ me? And what would I even do? I can't afford to just quit....
And what if I get it wrong? What if I make another wrong choice.....?
Ring any bells?
Believe me when I say I get it, I've been there.
When you're in that headspace, feeling stuck, going round it circles trying to think yourself free, it can be hard to see a way out.
If you've found yourself nodding along with the above, here are a few tips to help you break out of that stuck-in-a-rut feeling and start moving forward:
1. Stop trying to ignore it!
If something isn't feeling right at work, make it a priority to think about. Schedule some time in your diary to start thinking things through and explore what's causing the 3am panics.
2. Examine what's behind your feelings of dissatisfaction
Is it brought on by the changes we've seen over the last year? The move to home-working? Or maybe changes to your role, or the team around you have brought things to a head?
3. Focus on what you are really worrying about
Are you scared of making the wrong decision? Scared of what others might say? Scared of trying something new? Once you have worked out what's holding you back you can focus on strategies to start moving forwards.
4. Get creative
How can you start to figure out your next steps? Could you talk to your manager about new projects? A secondment to a new team? If you are considering a career change, who could you connect with? Who in your network might be able to help? Try and get as much information as you can about the ideas that excite you. And if you are considering self employment - what do you need to know before you can make a decision? What would your working life look like, and what would need to happen to make that a reality?
5. Get some support
Find a mentor, a good friend, someone you trust to act as a sounding board while you explore your next steps. There will be great days and not-so-great days, and it really helps to have someone in your corner, cheering you on. The other option is to work through the process with a coach, someone independent who can support you through any challenges, and act as your own person cheerleader.
It looks straightforward when written down on paper, but making the choice to start shaking things up is not easy.
But then neither is staying in a job that isn't right for you.
If this has rung any bells with you, lets have a chat. Contact me here and lets have a chat